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I’ve spent a lot of this year stealing ideas on leading a team during Covid/remotely from books, podcasts and friends.
Here’s a list of ten things - largely stolen - that I found helped (thread):
Here’s a list of ten things - largely stolen - that I found helped (thread):
1. Switching to phone call 1:1s (no video!) by default
- a chance to walk while working (I’ll take every one of those I can get)
- reduces screen fatigue a lot
- seems to lead to wandering, useful conversations instead of too-strict agendas
(Image - a 1:1 in the woods
)
- a chance to walk while working (I’ll take every one of those I can get)
- reduces screen fatigue a lot
- seems to lead to wandering, useful conversations instead of too-strict agendas
(Image - a 1:1 in the woods
)
2. Using the Zoom chat in big meetings
- chance for instant comments/reactions (often lighthearted!) that don’t interrupt flow
- less intimidating than on-camera for many
- presenter gets real-time interactions
(Inspired by @TweetsByBilal’s masterful Zoom moderation)
- chance for instant comments/reactions (often lighthearted!) that don’t interrupt flow
- less intimidating than on-camera for many
- presenter gets real-time interactions
(Inspired by @TweetsByBilal’s masterful Zoom moderation)
3. Snackchat
@IanMDunnett & our ops team set up a randomised @SlackHQ pairing system for 1:1 no-agenda chats (called Snackchat
). It’s opt-in, and a brilliant way to connect informally between teams (while we can’t meet in the kitchen while brewing coffee 
).
@IanMDunnett & our ops team set up a randomised @SlackHQ pairing system for 1:1 no-agenda chats (called Snackchat
). It’s opt-in, and a brilliant way to connect informally between teams (while we can’t meet in the kitchen while brewing coffee ).
4. Meeting for a socially-distanced walking 1:1 (if possible)
@isaboh joined our BD leadership team during Covid - and she suggested a 1:1 walk around St. Paul’s together. Since then, I’ve done this as often as possible around London with the team. In-person is such a relief.
@isaboh joined our BD leadership team during Covid - and she suggested a 1:1 walk around St. Paul’s together. Since then, I’ve done this as often as possible around London with the team. In-person is such a relief.
5. Finding the Zoom socials that are brilliant instead of painful.
- @taskmaster is ideal for this & gave us one of our best team socials ever
- @AmongUsGame & Catan online are also v. strong
+ always work in a company with @jackwc as a cofounder b/c your quizzes will be epic
- @taskmaster is ideal for this & gave us one of our best team socials ever
- @AmongUsGame & Catan online are also v. strong
+ always work in a company with @jackwc as a cofounder b/c your quizzes will be epic
6. Picking up the phone when someone’s diary looks clear
@joclarkyclark & I speak most days. The regular short, spontaneous calls help course-correct as we grapple with the challenges of remote and locked-down teams across time zones.
@joclarkyclark & I speak most days. The regular short, spontaneous calls help course-correct as we grapple with the challenges of remote and locked-down teams across time zones.
7. Admitting when things are hard
I often feel I have to be positive & energetic always - but @geordie_palmer & @isaboh reminded me this year of the power of honesty when things are hard & acknowledging it, so others know they can share their struggles too
(+ these books
)
I often feel I have to be positive & energetic always - but @geordie_palmer & @isaboh reminded me this year of the power of honesty when things are hard & acknowledging it, so others know they can share their struggles too
(+ these books
)
8. Pre-reads
Pre-reads - where all info is shared before, so the meeting is just about discussion/decisions - have made our Zoom meetings so much better
( @DavidShakory & @Simrat_R have taught me a lot this year about how to use this technique to make meetings brief/brilliant)
Pre-reads - where all info is shared before, so the meeting is just about discussion/decisions - have made our Zoom meetings so much better
( @DavidShakory & @Simrat_R have taught me a lot this year about how to use this technique to make meetings brief/brilliant)
9. Joint project team Zooms - for solo work
We discovered the power of a Zoom while you do solo work for a joint project. We have one nominated DJ for music, camera off when not speaking/discussing, and are all dialled in for an hour for questions/ideas as they come up.
We discovered the power of a Zoom while you do solo work for a joint project. We have one nominated DJ for music, camera off when not speaking/discussing, and are all dialled in for an hour for questions/ideas as they come up.
10. Way more flexibility about cancelling/rescheduling meetings
We now often schedule meetings and all decide just before not to show up (We’ve solved it all already! We just don’t feel like it! Someone needs to go outside!). It really helps - we show up properly or not at all.
We now often schedule meetings and all decide just before not to show up (We’ve solved it all already! We just don’t feel like it! Someone needs to go outside!). It really helps - we show up properly or not at all.
(+ A bonus one that’s been the biggest help of all: having an incredible leadership team. I now have just 6 direct reports, who are genuinely amazing. Their generous feedback, input, ideas & epic execution this year has been incredible 
)
)
