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Key strategies for adapting to remote work
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We now have a post-pandemic operating system. And so we are expecting somehow for this post-pandemic operating system to evolve itself quickly. We're expecting these things that we had in the office to be replicated automatically. That's just not going to happen. (Brett Putter)
(00:00-09:29)
With organizations adapting to remote work as the new norm, the conversation explores the disconnect between traditional leadership practices and the evolving needs of a distributed workforce.
Brett Putter highlights the need for an overhaul in leadership approaches, underscoring the shift towards asynchronous communication and remote-first operations. Drawing from his extensive research on remote work companies like GitLab and Buffer, Brett advocates for embracing asynchronous communication to develop genuine connections and community in the absence of physical proximity.
The discussion also examines the unique dynamics of different organizational cultures, from tech-driven open-source communities to traditional sales organizations, and identifies key strategies for adapting to remote work across diverse contexts. Brett stresses the importance of documenting processes and being transparent to maintain alignment within remote teams.
As organizations grapple with the challenges of remote work, Brett advocates for a fundamental shift in the operating system of leadership to effectively support remote and hybrid work environments.
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The leadership styles of office-based and remote leaders
(09:29-17:08)
The speakers challenge traditional notions of charismatic leadership and uncover the importance of emotional intelligence in connecting with remote teams.
Brett shares insights from studies contrasting the leadership styles of office-based and remote leaders, highlighting the effectiveness of coaching and facilitation in remote settings. He emphasizes the need for leaders to connect with their teams on an emotional level, rather than relying solely on charisma and physical presence.
The conversation evolves to discuss practical strategies for lifting the energy level within remote organizations. Alex shares his experiences of using storytelling and reinforcing the company's mission to inspire and motivate his team. Brett suggests additional approaches, such as focusing on customer-centricity and reinforcing the organization's purpose.
The concept of social capital
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It's very easy for somebody working in a remote environment to forget why they're doing it and forget the purpose. Because they've got the cat that needs feeding, their daughter needs to be taken to school or whatever it is. It's quite easy to forget the mission, vision, purpose and values. When you're in an office, you experience it more, and it's easier for leaders to call it out in an office. (Brett Putter)
(17:08-24:24)
Brett talks about how important it is to remind your employees of the mission, vision, purpose and values of the organization, especially in a remote work environment where distractions can easily obscure these guiding principles.
He introduces the concept of social capital as the value derived from mutual recognition and understanding within an organization. Brett explains that emotional proximity, rather than physical proximity, is key to developing this social capital, and leaders must focus on recognizing and celebrating the moments that matter to their teams.
Alex shares his own experiences implementing Brett's recommendations, including incorporating breakout sessions into meetings to encourage emotional connections among team members and celebrating personal milestones like birthdays in a meaningful way. Alex highlights the positive impact these initiatives have had on his team's morale and sense of community.
Strategies for the Remote Performance Management
(24:24-31:55)
Brett shares stories and practical methods for nurturing team cohesion and drive, particularly in virtual work environments.
He talks about how important it is to recognize the partners of new hires through personalized gestures like sending flowers or chocolates, highlighting their integral role in the team's fabric. Moreover, he explores the concept of task-relevant maturity, a framework for customizing training and support based on individual competencies in specific tasks.
Alex engages by exploring the implications of these innovative strategies for communication and progress tracking within remote teams.
Insights from Netflix and Beyond
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This is a system mindset you need. If it's not documented and you go from 80 people to 300 people on two different continents, the chaos that you are going to have to deal with is immense. (Brett Putter)
(31:55-41:58)
The speakers dissect the challenges organizations face in adapting to remote work dynamics, particularly in areas such as training, documentation and communication.
Brett underscores the importance of having up-to-date playbooks and documentation to navigate asynchronous work settings effectively. He emphasizes the need for professionals to possess self-management skills.
The conversation evolves to explore whether organizations are "doomed" if they lack structured processes and whether certain personality traits are necessary for success in remote work environments. Brett argues that while some people may naturally excel in such settings, creating systems and processes is essential for overcoming friction and ensuring business continuity.
Drawing insights from renowned companies like Netflix, Brett reflects on the relevance of their culture deck in today's remote-first world. Despite changes in wording, the core values and principles remain intact.
Bringing Humanity to Remote Work
I think that's what RELAYTO is doing. It’s allowing people who would get some form of diverse interaction in an office environment to get that from a digital experience. (Brett Putter)
(41:58-50:20)
The speakers talk about keeping things real by aligning company values with how they communicate, stressing the need for sincerity and emotional resonance.
Brett points out how something as simple as emojis can add warmth to remote conversations, and how remote teams are getting creative with personalized emojis and sharing personal videos to build stronger bonds. He also talks about the power of asynchronous video messages in showing emotions and making digital interactions feel more human, even though it can be awkward at first.
They also discuss cool ways companies are spicing up their communication, like adding short videos from leaders to presentations or documents to make them more engaging and emotional. Alex shares stories from RELAYTO's experiences, showing how organizations are craving more personal connections and richer experiences, especially in remote settings.
As they chat, they touch on the struggle of dealing with information overload in remote work, agreeing that finding a balance between sharing everything and making it easy to find what's important is key. They toss around ideas for simplifying communication and making sure everyone can stay connected without drowning in digital noise.
Taming Remote Work Information Overload
(50:20-57:25)
Brett stresses the need to prioritize relevant documentation over clutter. He suggests focusing on what's repeatable and pertinent, rather than trying to document everything under the sun.
Alex discusses the overwhelming amount of content people face and how innovative companies are tackling this issue. They're creating high-level overviews that allow people to quickly find what's important to them.
Brett shares insights from his conversation with Job van der Voort from remote.com, who aims to make finding information a breeze in his organization.
The speakers also explore the role of AI in simplifying information retrieval and how it's becoming increasingly valuable in this realm.
Lastly, they discuss the broader societal impact of these trends and how the lessons learned in remote work environments can influence business practices on a larger scale.
Local Connections in a Remote World
(57:25-1:01:58)
Brett highlights how remote companies encourage involvement in local communities, supporting initiatives that resonate with employees' interests. He emphasizes that these companies prioritize localized connections, ensuring that employees feel connected to their surroundings.
Alex finds this approach fascinating and delves deeper into the structure of remote work culture. Brett explains how remote companies create the right balance of connection through structured events like lunch and learns and monthly tribe meetings. He stresses the importance of intentionality and a fresh perspective in shaping remote work culture.
As the conversation unfolds, Brett predicts that it may take several years for organizations to fully embrace and understand this new operating system. However, he remains optimistic about the transformative power of remote work culture.
Check the the episode's Transcript (AI-generated) HERE.
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Author
Experience-focused Leaders is the #1 Multimedia Podcast! We talk to senior business & tech leaders about the experiences that move forward organizations, customers and society at large. True to form, we mix audio, video, web and eBook formats to turn these authentic conversations into personalized nuggets you'll remember & use.
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