If you do a Google search for the term “middle manager,” you will notice a disturbing theme. The top articles that pop up are: “Why Being a Middle Manager Is So Exhausting?“, “The Miserable Middle Managers,” and “Why Middle Managers Need A Hug.” This past year has been a rough one for many, but the…
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Let’s be real: managing teams virtually is not the same as managing teams in person. Managing virtually requires leaders to reassess their mindsets, practices, and approaches to working with their teams. In person, leaders can initiate impromptu meetings in the break room, or they can “pop into” someone’s office to ask a question. Once casual…
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Maintaining your organization’s culture as you transition to a distributed workforce can be a daunting task. The most successful managers have an understanding and training in the communication and project management tools needed to lead optimal virtual teams. A part of their effectiveness lies in facilitating creative solutions for team bonding and connectedness. While some…
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Virtual offices can afford many obvious benefits – No traffic headaches or parking hassles. More flexible work hours. No expensive office or equipment leases. Technology enables easier, quicker team collaboration. Playing with your puppy at lunch. So, from both an employee and employer perspective, what’s not to like? Less Obvious Benefits of a Virtual Workforce Moving…
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The pivot to virtual meetings is not a 1:1 exchange. It is something different than the “way we have always done it.” If you were thinking of replacing some part of or make changes to your old meeting, now is an opportune time to make that transition. Approach your meeting/conference changes not as what you…
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Working from home inherently has some perks that can help reduce stress. Rush hour? What’s that? Figuring out your wardrobe for the day? Who cares what you’re wearing! Temperature in the office not to your liking? Now you have complete control! With so many benefits, it is easy to overlook possible pitfalls that can negatively…
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With news of the coronavirus (COVID-19) weighing heavily on many people’s minds, a number of our clients are asking us how to prepare for remote work. Just yesterday, a client’s building was unexpectedly closed, and they were told to pack up their belongings and leave. Before something that dramatic happens at your organization, we want…
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Onboarding can seem like a boring, need to go through the motions type task when bringing on new hires, but overlooking one of the first instructive experiences can detract from the goal of creating successful new employees. The lack of creativity in onboarding, particularly for remote teams, isn’t helping any of the participants in feeling…
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Part 3 of 3 If you tuned in to the first two parts of this three part blog series on associations transitioning to a virtual workplace, you’ve already read about why and how The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) has been working to transition to a virtual workplace. In this last segment, two…
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Part 2 of 3 As noted in Part 1 of our 3 part series on associations transitioning to a virtual workplace, The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is in the midst of developing their ideal virtual work environment. In this piece, NCTE’s Executive Director, Emily Kirkpatrick, shares her experience thus far with the…
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