Connecting deeper ... remotely

In these hybrid times when people may be here, there and anywhere, there’s a danger we miss the good quality, deep connections. 

Not the login type of connection - nor the break the ice chit-chat connection. 

But rather, the deeper ability to engage with people, to bring warmth, humanity and empathy to an online call with a remote team. 

To say ‘it’s not the same as face to face’ or ‘it’s hard to read cues and body language’ is to try to use the same techniques. 

But you may have to do something different. Many things different. 

How can you better connect with your team no matter where they are? 

Many days of each week I’m working with a brand new team, a new group of people I’ve not met before. Swift and deep connection with them is a priority. 

We’ve got to be able to get close online, to trust and build engagement so we can achieve what needs to be achieved. 

And quickly. 

Consider how you’ll make connections with your team, group or meeting participants. 

Every time. 

Don’t leave it to chance. 
Or think it’s not important. 
Or that you’re already well enough connected. 

How deeply you can connect with people affects everything else that follows. 

Choose to challenge

Offer an alternative
Present another perspective
Share your opinion
Show the data
Tell your story
Explain another's experience
Deliver the voice of the customer
Show the consequences
Point to the reason why
Ask a curious question
Ask a probing question
Ask a difficult question

... there are many ways to challenge

Is it for information only

The difference between being invited for consultation and information are so, so different. 

Yet they’re often substituted. 

🔅‘Please comment on this change’ is different to ‘this change is happening’. 

🔅‘What do you think of this proposed process’ is different to ‘things will change on the 8th of the month’. 

🔅’What’s your advice on this idea’ is different to ‘here’s how things are going to be’. 

Check if it’s really consultation or just information. 

Don’t invite people to a forum if there’s no discussion, input, invitation or conversation. 

That’s information. 

If it’s all PowerPoint and the same heads talking ... that’s information, not consultation. 

Sadly, many people are so ready to give their ideas and suggestions, but there’s no room. time or space for it. 

The newer world of work makes many more opportunities available for co-creation, consultation and collaboration ... not just communication. 

It’s acknowledging that people have plenty clever, creativity and ingenuity to share ... to help solve tricky problems, deliver greater value and make faster change. 

That’s richer than ‘for your information’. 

What can you turn from information into consultation? 

To draw out from others

How are you at the skill of elicitation? Can you draw information and contributions out of people? 

Why elicit : because they’ve got something to contribute or expertise we need to tap into. 

Elicitation isn’t just asking one question and then waiting for the answer. It’s more often about an ongoing conversation, back and forth. It’s getting to the point, finding the key information, uncovering the challenge or problem or insight. 

We can’t wait until people speak up or ‘lean in’.

To elicit is to actively collaborate with someone to help them contribute and give. 

It’s asking, encouraging, clarifying, listening, hearing, repeating back, wondering, probing, asking, listening...

The problem is, we often don’t allow the time even though it’s a key component of engaging others and uncovering important insights.

Don’t wait for people to eventually feel safe enough to speak up. 

Take the time and plan for how and when you will engage, ask and elicit from others. 

Hybrid Work - Masterclass

Hybrid Work: some people are here, some are there, some people are alone, some are together. Onsite or offsite, work better with everyone

The new realities of work mean you’ll more likely be having a mix of where people are located, for every meeting, workshop, team and project. 

The world of work continues to change. Not everyone is working from home, OR working from an office. 

Be prepared and know what tools, techniques, processes and methods to use to lead in this unique experience of a hybrid workshop or meeting. 

You can't just 'wing it.'

I've been leading a 2-hour masterclass to answer:
- how to achieve and maintain engagement across all of these different spaces
- how to know people are engaged and participating
- how to get people involved
- how to you use breakout rooms if not everyone is on their own device
- what do we need to do differently than if everyone is in the one place (all online or all in the one location).

People said: 
“Best facilitated online session during COVID”
“The most engaging facilitator I’ve seen”
“Lots of good stuff & fun at the same time”.

Get in contact to find out more...