Connection = Cohesion

Dear Vivo Team,
How can I build a cohesive team when some are in the office and some are working from home?
-Gwen*

Hi Gwen,
I recommend that at one to three times a week get together online for no more than 15 minutes, depending on the size of your team, and do a check in.

What you do is a quick go round, every says what they are working on or what their priority is for the day. Then you do another round where everyone says a stuck point, what’s getting in the way of getting stuff done today. Lastly, every goes around and says a win they have had.

I would also encourage people who are used to working closely with each other in the office, that both of you go on Zoom, and you can actually be side-by-side if that’s something you need.

The other thing to do is to make sure that you have, a least every quarter, a 15 minute meeting with your manager. What you are going to talk about is: What you have accomplished in the last thee months; What you still need to accomplish; and one item that you would like to work on to improve your professional development.

Sometimes what people are doing as well, is on a Friday having an online get together to just chat and talk about what’s going on. Once people get used to it you’ll feel quite connected, quite cohesive. It doesn’t have to be a barrier if you have discipline. Discipline is the key.

*names have been changed