| | APRIL 20199CIOReviewunderstand the underlying emotional benefits those techniques are meant to elicit and find ways to achieve the same results remotely. By no means am I an expert, but I can tell you what I've found that works. Here's an example: Every conversation I have with a remote employee begins with "How's it going?" or "What are you doing?" or "What's going on in your world?". Every conversation ends with a sincere "Thank you," "Be safe," and "Call me if you need me." Of course, you can adjust the verbiage to reflect what's appropriate to your locale and the nature of the interaction. It only takes about 60 seconds to interject that added content, but as crazy as it may sound, you've just created a virtual open door and turned every interaction into a virtual cubicle visit.Team "buy-in" is critical. As a parent, I learned a nifty little trick which worked extremely well with my children. Later, I found it equally effective with staff. I would articulate what actions or behaviors would make them a "good boy" along with the associated benefits and rewards. Then, I would articulate what actions or behaviors constitute bad behavior and subsequent ramifications of those actions. I would let them decide and verbalize their desire to be good. Almost everyone wants to be a "good employee." The trick to achieving that goal is accepting and agreeing upon what actions and behaviors constitute a specific standard. Individual acceptance and acknowledgment can then be used to empower entire teams to rally around common goals and objectives where everyone has the right and the responsibility to hold themselves and each other accountable to the agreed upon standard(s). No longer is it "I'm doing what I'm told." Instead, it's "I'm doing what I chose to do because it achieves my desired outcome(s)." Of course, this can only happen if you foster an environment where achievement is praised and acknowledged, honest feedback is welcomed and encouraged, and struggles are handled with understanding and appropriate coaching. As an added benefit, tough conversations can be made easier by reminding folks of the agreed upon standard(s) and teaming up with them against the perceived "boogeyman," i.e., looming deadlines, budget shortfalls, difficult customer situations (take your pick).Lastly, put all those new-fangled digital tools to work for you. If you're having a conversation with one person that may need input from additional teammates, don't wait and set up the dreaded "meeting" unless it's so complex that a meeting is warranted. Instead, call a quick "huddle" and knock out the task right then and there. Applications such as SlackTM, Skype for BusinessTM, and Microsoft's OneDriveTM & OneNoteTM, make remote collaboration just as easy and effective as being in the same room. And don't forget the watercooler conversations. Creating a forum for the sharing of personal content (HR compliant) such as birthdays, anniversaries, holiday photos, family milestones, etc. will afford remote workers the ability to see each other as human beings on the other end of the line; not just as more cogs in the corporate machine. Trust me. If someone's heart is in the right place, the rest will follow. And in the end, when our remote staff is truly engaged, we all win. Clifford T. Gardner
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