Technology

What Office?

June 4, 2020 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

A survey by Twin City Business Magazine confirmed what our clients have been sharing about working at home and returning to the office. The nature of the work highly impacts the effectiveness of working from home. Some feel they are more productive at home and they save the commute time. Others feel hampered from doing their work when they are not in the office or work setting.

Most leaders do not see ever returning to what was status quo office environments a few months ago. The investment in collaborative open offices changes the options available for return. Fortunately, many people prefer working at home at least some of the time. Open spaces allow the distribution of those who are in the office.

A mix of office and remote work can also ease the adjustment to the pandemic. Allowing social distancing with fewer people in the office makes adjustment more realistic. Closing kitchens and limiting elevator access is a bigger challenge for most.

Creativity is at it’s best when there are large challenges. We will look back at this time and say, “Remember when most of used to worked in offices all the time and …”

Riding a Bike

May 21, 2020 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

We learn young that riding a bike starts off a little off-balance and even a few scrapes and bruises. Because we get back on the bike after a fall, we soon are zooming around the neighborhood. It becomes a much more natural part of our everyday life. The truth is – riding a bike is not that difficult with a little practice.

There are a few helpful rules like “watch where you are going.” Wear a helmet. The bike may be an occasional personal way to play. It may become a way to go to work every day if you are a city commuter like my brother.

Videoconferencing is Like a Bike

The truth is – videoconferencing is not that difficult after a little practice. It does take some practice to become comfortable. We have clients who took the videoconference to work every day … even before that pandemic. The more they used it, the better they liked it as an effective tool.

If you can interact well in person, you are likely able to interact well on video. There are the same visual and vocal message queues that make in-person work better than audio-calls and email.

Visual Connection

Humans have evolved to use two-way visual queues to connect with each other. To optimize that communication, the picture needs to be clear and well lite. Good lighting and good camera position are important.

Eye contact is important. Look at the camera. Like riding a bike – it takes practice. We cheat a little. We use teleprompters to allow us to look directly at the image of the person and the camera at the same time. You can purchase teleprompters for $100 to over $1,000. YouTube videos describe making you own very cheaply.

Conference video call, remote project management, quarantine, working from home

Breathe to Relax

Nervousness is natural when doing something new. Deep abdominal breathing helps calm the nerves and provide more oxygen to your brain to think more clearly, There are even apps for that … Taking five or ten minutes to breathe – it can do wonders for your day as well as the videoconference participation.

Focus on helping the other person feel more comfortable like you are hosting a party. When you focus on others more than yourself, you have more executive presence and it is easier to relax.

Clear and Concise

Crafting your message is always a good idea. On a videoconference, it is even more important. Look at the Other Persons’ Point of View (OPPOV ™ ) to choose the most important information.

Particularly in larger videoconference meetings, clear and concise communication stands out in a very positive way. It is important to speak up clearly in group meetings with a firm voice to reach the other participants.

With a little more practice and a few key skills – you can become natural.

Super Power

May 14, 2020 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

Obstacles are really a guide to uncover where we need to grow. We grow and change in response to challenges. New results come from seeing the problem differently and making adjustments. The bigger the challenge, the more significant the adjustments we need to make.

One of our superpowers is to adjust and take new directions. Losing my job allowed me to finally go into business for myself. With one relationship breakdown, we are often able to find a new one that seems even better.

Today, we have a worldwide obstacle called a pandemic. With all the difficulties – and there are many – people are adjusting in amazing ways. Global environmental pollution is showing ways it can be reduced. Major firms in New York City are declaring that the majority of their employees will likely not return to the giant skyscrapers that define NYC. Remote education can change the dynamics and costs of schools. Business people are learning they can effectively do videoconference rather than spend two days in an airplane for a one-hour meeting.

Community

Human beings need a community. Being deprived of contact has helped us see the value of gatherings, hugs, handshakes and just being together. Being able to clap, scream, and cheer together in a sports stadium or a Broadway play are beloved memories we look forward to seeing again.

We have the superpower of connecting with others. We have the ability to choose to be kind and forgive. We have the power to empathize with the health workers and those struggling to feed their children.

New Approach

The pandemic of a century ago did not have antibiotics or an understanding of viruses. We are more prepared today than 101 years ago. We now have a new mindset about pandemics that will allow us to be more prepared for the next pandemic. We will have PPE and testing ready. We will figure out how to effectively manage contact tracing. We will be better able to cope.

Appreciation

When we can safely move about our communities and the world, we will have a new appreciation for connection to other people and places. We have the opportunity to think differently about how we define community. We are a global community that is interconnected and share a similar destiny for our viruses and our environment. If we have a new mindset, we can create new results. That is our human SUPERPOWER.

Masking Facial Recognition

May 10, 2020 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

Humans make so many assessments based on facial recognition. Knowing if someone is happy or angry goes back to self-preservation at some level. In regular communication, we each give off many micro-communications that impact meaning and trust.

If you look at our book, “Seeing Yourself as Others Do – Authentic Executive Presence …,” it is built on those subtle messages that give meaning.

At the most basic level, we all can better understand what someone is saying by reading their lips. Those who are hard-of-hearing rely on seeing the mouth even more.

Masking of Nonverbal Cues

All of a sudden, this vital form of ongoing communication is covered up by a protective mask. Many stores have put up protective plexiglass windows to allow the cashiers to function with a lower danger of contamination. Sterilization is everywhere. Families are visiting loved ones in senior living locations by talking through a window. We are all adapting.

Effective communication becomes even more critical to make up for these missing cues. Giving context to the content is more important.

Remote Videoconferencing

“Zoom” went from oblivion to a household word for “Videoconferencing.” School children are conferencing with teachers, friends are meeting remotely over a beverage of choice, and working from home is the norm for many, many people. My principal strategic technologist reported that school teachers have done a fantastic job of learning how to use the same technology that they avoided before.

Virtual Executive Presence

I have been an advocate for the power of remote video for over a decade. In a matter of months, it has become a standard tool for most business people. I’m sad it took a pandemic to for adoption. I do believe it will be one of the benefits gained from adversity.

The coaching we do at Change Masters requires seeing facial communication in both directions. Coaching wearing a mask does not work. Fortunately, a quality videoconference provides a close to in-person experience without the need to wear a mask.

Our experience with teaching remote executive presence had intersected with today’s technology to make one-on-one coaching a powerful tool over video. Plus, the time and cost of travel eliminated. The experience allows our clients to learn even more about how to be productive remotely. Building the skills needed for the decade ahead is now easier than it has ever been. We can go there together.