It’s a classic real life challenge coming out of our workshops: You are part of a team becoming their manager (maybe even overnight) suddenly being in a completely different role with different benefits, challenges and implications.

Suddenly all the things you always wanted to change are in your hands. Your former worries as a team mate are yours now. You are suddenly your colleagues superior. Some of the individual habits that weren’t really your problem before are now maybe an issue.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s exciting and great that you’ll be able to change things and take responsibility now. But still: clear and transparent communication is crucial if you want to stay in a good personal relationship and be a good and fair manager. Here is what you should have in mind navigating the transition, because the shift in dynamics can introduce complexities. But with the right strategies, you can navigate this transition smoothly and successfully.

Role...

For sure i know what we are doing - how we support teams, how our product works and what our USP is. But to take time and really define a vision is helpful to understand better where we want to go. A clear vision and defined values are essential for the success of a team and a company. They provide orientation, strengthen the sense of community and promote a positive culture. 

You can imagine a business vision like a compass. Just as a compass guides us on a journey, pointing us in the right direction and keeping us on track, our vision provides guidance and clarity. It shows us where we want to go and helps us navigate through challenges.

So for example Amazon´s vision is: "To be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices." 

But what does this mean for the HR Team? What many people don´t think about is a team vision...

In our increasingly interconnected world, effective communication is more than just exchanging information; it's about understanding the nuanced ways in which people express themselves. Two pivotal concepts in this realm are low-context and high-context communication. 

If we would be effective robots we could basically only use low-context communication:
It’s direct, clear, and relies heavily on explicit verbal messages. Countries like the United States, Germany, and Scandinavia often favor this communication style. Here, the value is placed on precise words and directness. Texts, emails, or any form of written communication is preferred to convey messages accurately, leaving little room for interpretation. If you would ask to make a portrait of someone you’ll most likely get the left version of our picture.

People communicating like that can cut all the social “bullshit” and could appear super rude in some situations. If you want ChatGPT to give you the...

How much ad hoc feedback do you give in your remote working team? 

In many teams that work remotely, interim feedback is forgotten or has never really been practiced. Organizations often assume that quarterly or annual feedback are sufficient for developing a team culture. 

But that's not quite the case ... 

Regular feedback shows that you as a leader are aware of and value the work of your team. 

What other benefits does regular feedback have for you as a leader? 

1. Motivation and commitment: By regularly recognizing successes and identifying areas for development, team members can stay motivated and strengthen their commitment to their role.
2. Quick problem solving: Daily feedback allows problems to be identified early and resolved quickly before they escalate into bigger issues. You save time in the long run!
3. Building trust and relationships: Regular interaction and sharing of feedback helps build trust between you and your team members and strengthen...