THINC Webinar
Whole Brain® Thinking in the Virtual World:
Keeping Teams Connected, Engaged and
Productive
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Presenter
Shelley Hammell
President, Sage Alliance
www.thesagealliance.com
Virtual World
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Today’s Agenda
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Challenges of remote teams
Globalization and it’s impact
Importance of communication
Making a lasting impression
Whole Brain ® Thinking
Tips for successful communication
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Poll # 1
What are the top challenges of working on a remote team?
• Establishing trust and rapport
• Communicating effectively with team
members
• Gaining buy-in and decision making
• Avoiding misunderstandings
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Top Challenges working on a
remote team
Establishing Trust and Rapport
24%
Communicating Effectively
31%
Gaining Buy-In/Decision Making
12%
Avoiding Misunderstandings
18%
Other
12%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
© Sage Alliance, Inc. 2014
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Globalization of the workplace
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Globalization Impacts Remote Team Productivity
• “Dispersed teams can actually outperform groups that are
collocated,” if the right sort of collaboration is in place.” MIT Sloan
• 69 % of the employees surveyed cited higher productivity when
working remote, and 75 % of those surveyed said the timeliness
of their work improved.
Sources: MIT Sloan & 2009,Cisco Study
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Poll #2
Which is most important in
communicating effectively?
A.Verbal communication
B.Non-verbal communication
C.Both are just as important
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
What’s most important in communication?
• Research shows that 55% of
what we hear is based on nonverbal cues or what we actually
observe.
• Of the 45% of verbal
communications
– 7% of the way a message is
received is composed of the
actual words we use.
– 38% is communicated through
the tone of our voice and voice
inflection.
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Poll # 3
How quickly are first impressions formed?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Three minutes
30 seconds
Over time
5 minutes
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
First Impressions are Formed
Instantaneously
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
First Impressions
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Trimmed haircut
Clean Shaved
Warm Smile
Feel of Confidence
Formal Dress
Correct Body Posture
Enter responses into the questions box.
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Verbal Communications
Be intentional…
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Volume
Speed
Tone
Energy
Verbal Punctuation
Inflection
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Exercise in Voice Inflection
• I didn’t steal the money
• I didn’t steal the money
• I didn’t steal the money
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Tools for Connecting Remotely
• Face-to-face conversation
(video or in person)
• Email
• Shared online tools like wikis,
chat, and project trackers
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Streamline Communications
on Virtual Teams
1. Connect on a personal level
2. Share top priorities
3. Define expectations clearly
4. Address issues up front
5. Be intentional
6. Move from reactive to proactive
7. It’s not what you say but how you say it
8. Tailor your communications
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Using Whole Brain® Thinking
Keeping Teams Connected,
Engaged and Productive
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Whole Brain® Approach to Strengths
Cut to the Chase
Let’s Go Out on a Limb!
Decisive
Vocal
Accurate
Direct and Straightforward
Objective and Pragmatic
Fact based – no fluff
Brief and clear
Precise
Visionary
Visual
Fun
Minimal details
Creative and Imaginative
Strategic, Big picture thinker
Conceptual
Options to explore
Get all your ducks in a row!
Let’s All Get on the Same Page
Orderly, Organized
Thorough
Planful
Prepared
Cautious
Consistent
Uses best practices
Concentrative, Focused
Friendly
Communicative
Expressive
Talkative
Informal
Good listeners
Reads the tea leaves
Consensus building
Whole Brain® and the four color, 4 quadrant graphic is a trademark of Herrmann Global.
© Herrmann Global 2014.
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Whole Brain® Approach to Perceptions
Focus is on Winning
Focus on the Unattainable
Aloof, detached, distant
Too Direct – Blunt
Critical, Skeptical, Cynical
Insensitive, Dismissive
Argumentative
Competitive
Closed – not open
Prove it to me!
Impractical and Unrealistic
Unfocused,
Scattered or not grounded
Impulsive
Undisciplined
Idealistic
Reckless
Lack follow-through
Focus on Minutia
Focus on the Accommodating
Straight laced
Uptight
Inflexible
Unimaginative
Picky
Concise – Terse
Staunch – immovable
Old fashioned
Emotional
Sappy
Indecisive
Irrational
Gullible
Drama – takes things personally
Needs approval
Conflict averse
Whole Brain® and the four color, 4 quadrant graphic is a trademark of Herrmann Global.
© Herrmann Global 2014.
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Whole Brain® Approach to Effective Communication
Language:
Processing:
Persuasion:
Planning:
Decisions:
Responds to words
Facts and data
Responds to logic
Emphasizes metrics
Relies on Reasoning
Language:
Processing:
Persuasion:
Planning:
Decisions:
Responds to high energy
In chunks and patterns
Responds to innovation
Fluid and spontaneous
Reflective, big picture
Language:
Processing:
Persuasion:
Planning:
Decisions:
Responds to deadlines
Sequence, step-by-step
Responds to precedence
Structured and thorough
Relies on best practices
Language:
Processing:
Persuasion:
Planning:
Decisions:
Responds to tone & pitch
Relies on instinct
Responds to connection
Talks it out
Relies on Instinct/impact
Whole Brain® and the four color, 4 quadrant graphic is a trademark of Herrmann Global.
© Herrmann Global 2014.
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Whole Brain® Approach to Effective Communication
It’s a real shame because studies
have shown that more
information gets passed through
water cooler gossip than through
Official memos. Which puts me
at a disadvantage because I
bring my own water to work.”
~ Dwight Schrute
Michael should have asked
The party planning
committee
first. He’s not supposed to
just
spring things on us
out of nowhere.”
~ Angela Martin
I wish there was a way to
know you're in the good old
Days before you've actually
left them.
~ Andy Bernard
I guess the atmosphere that
I've tried to create here is that
I'm a friend first and a
boss second,
and probably an
entertainer third."
~ Michael Scott
Whole Brain® and the four color, 4 quadrant graphic is a trademark of Herrmann Global.
© Herrmann Global 2014.
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Thank You!
Shelley Hammell
President, Sage Alliance, Inc.
[email protected]
www.thesagealliance.com
404.680.6186
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014
Where to Seek Help
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Relies on numbers and data
Analyzes in depth
Does the research
Focused on metrics
Concentrates on fixing things
Has an objective, fact based
approach
Makes a plan
Minimizes the risk
Organizes the information
Focusing on time and timelines
Searching for overlooked details
Considering steps to be completed
Getting excited, maybe impatient
Generating lots of crazy ideas
Looking for new perspectives
Breaking the rules to solve it
Looking at ‘the big picture’
‘sleeping on it’
brainstorming
Talking it out
Building a team
Calling a friend for help
Listening to my intuition
Getting emotionally engaged
Considering my values and feelings
Persuading those involved to help
Whole Brain® and the four color, 4 quadrant graphic is a trademark of Herrmann Global.
© Herrmann Global 2014.
Better Thinking. Better Performance. Better Results.
© Herrmann Global 2014