Steve Toews

As an administrative member of the TPR team, I asked our Lead Mediator, Raj Dhasi if she would engage in mediation personally or professionally? Here is what she said: Answer: It depends. I am hard pressed to think of a professional situation where I would not engage in mediation as a participant, but my criteria … Read more

Accept conflict. Remember that conflict is natural and happens in every ongoing relationship. Since conflict is unavoidable we must learn to manage it. Conflict is a sign of a need for change and an opportunity for growth, new understanding, and improved communication. Conflict can not be resolved unless it is addressed with the appropriate individual(s).

As a leader, Stephanie was meticulous in her attention to detail. She made sure everything was on track and kept us informed throughout her projects. At times, though, I could see her frustration set in. In her meetings, most of the team was not prepared. We usually didn’t read Stephanie’s emails. Though well organized, they were often filled with too much information.

As collaborative technologies proliferate, it is tempting to assume that more sophisticated tools will engender more effective virtual communication. However, our study of globally dispersed teams in a major multinational organization revealed that performance depends on how people use these technologies, not on the technologies themselves.

Are you getting flooded with links to helpful tips on how to work from home? We are. We’ve read many of them, and will keep reading them (and the webinars and the podcasts). We’ve learned a lot about the practical side of making the shift from office to remote: comfy workspaces, video-conference tools, the importance of standing up occasionally (figuratively and literally).

Let’s just start out by saying the struggle is real. For those who aren’t used to working remotely, cabin fever may be setting in and people are feeling the strain. With that in mind, one of the things we should be relying on right now is connection.