Are your beliefs about virtual leadership holding you back?
Can we create connection in online platforms that are meaningful AND productive?
Last week, I had a coaching conversation with a leader who relies heavily on one-on-one relationships in his leadership style. We hadn’t talked since COVID-19 started, and he came into the conversation really frustrated with this new reality. Being on Zoom all day, yet not feeling connected to his team or executive colleagues was both exhausting and maddening. Does this sound familiar: connected all day but not really feeling connected?
I asked this question “What is one positive thing you notice right now in this new way of connecting virtually?”
He responded (after a lengthy pause): “I don’t actually think there are any. I am struggling to find anything positive about leading remotely and meeting on Zoom.”
I shared this observation: “How do you think this mindset is showing up in your virtual leadership?”
He responded: “Hmmm….I guess it shows up with a lack of enthusiasm”
I asked: “I wonder how this influences connection with your team?”
He responded: “Ouch”
I’ve had some version of this conversation with many of my leadership clients in the last few weeks. It’s fascinating to notice how our beliefs about connection rely on a face-to-face or in-person paradigm - based on how we’ve nurtured our professional relationships for years.
My perspective is a little different. Through my global coaching practice, I’ve had the unique privilege of working with coaching clients remotely over the phone or by video calls, for the past 9 years. This has resulted in incredibly meaningful, vulnerable, life changing conversations, while often never having met in person. Recently, I wrapped up two separate coaching engagements where I worked with clients exclusively over the phone; to this day, I don’t have any idea what they look like! Some people find this hard to believe, but I can tell you, we are able to create connection without a face to face meeting, or even relying on the visual cues that we believe are so important to our communication.
Through these virtual conversations, I’ve learned that connection is created when we are intentional with our mindset and our behaviours, regardless of the platform.
Nicole McLellan, IRG Associated Coach and Mindfulness Facilitator, has provided a meditation to support you in cultivating connection. Download & drop in while you take time to ground yourself in this learning.
Here are my strategies for meaningfully connecting:
Tips for One-on-one Connection:
Mix up your platforms; you don’t always need to “see” each other on video to create connection.
Get moving! Now that the weather is warmer, suggest a walk and talk meeting that gets you both moving your bodies and thinking more clearly.
Create space for a check-in before you launch into the topic or the task. Understanding how you are both feeling can inform the approach you take in your conversation.
Tips for Group Connection:
Preparation is key. If you are facilitating or leading a group discussion on a virtual platform, preparation is essential. Creating a transparent agenda and thoughtful ways to engage people is important.
Be clear on the purpose for connecting. Are you there to share information, make decisions, connect socially? Share the purpose and design the time accordingly.
Be human and be real. When we get to see you relax, share what you are experiencing (good, bad or ugly), it helps people connect to you. It also gives people permission to be real and authentic, and that creates connection.
Over to you: Where are you planning to consciously practice the Connection piece of the Courageous Leadership puzzle? To read more, visit our website and download your copy of the Courageous Leadership in Times of Uncertainty framework. Get the support you are looking for, to show up as the leader you want to be, for the people you lead.
