The Colour Works Presents The Remote Workers Challenge
Introducing The Colour Works Challenge! Every month, we are putting together a weekly challenge to help you hone in on your unique virtual skills. This month we’re putting remote workers to the test - are you as efficient as you should be?
Over the next five days, we’ve laid out a set of activities designed to help you master remote working. This week, there’s a TED Talk to watch, a podcast to listen to and a coffee break for good measure. They’re all nice and quick and designed to fit in with your daily routines, so don’t delay and get involved – we all know remote working is here to stay in some way!
So take control of your remote working day and learn how to manage virtual meetings like a pro. Become a better virtual leader and help your remote team develop their skills. The challenge is easy, anyone can get involved. If you want to participate in this months challenge, get involved over on social media using the hashtag: #ColourWorksChallenge. Oh, and don’t forget to tag your colleagues – we’re in it together!
The Remote Workers Challenge: What Does it Entail?
This week, we’re looking at things that we can all do to improve the remote working experience. Whether you’re flourishing in the remote setting, or bored of the mundane, this challenge has something for everyone.
Taking part is easy. Head over to our Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn (whichever you prefer) and use the hashtag #ColourWorksChallenge to let us know you’re taking part. Once you’ve done that, it’s over to you to complete the activities listed below.
5 Days of #ColourWorksChallenge
Here is everything that you’ll be doing as part of the #ColourWorksChallenge. Don’t forget to grab some screenshots and join in with The Colour Works community over on social media.
Monday
Watch Lisette Sutherland tell us why she LOVES remote working and how she’s using all of the perks to her advantage. By now, we’ve all come to terms with the fact that in some way remote working is here to stay. This 13-minute video gives you advice on virtual communication, team interaction and how to make use out of the available technologies.
Lisette also shares her own stories, including how she managed to go on tour with her favourite band without losing her dream job! We think she’s pretty cool, and her TED Talk is a great way to calm your work from home anxiety. Kickstart your week by finding out how you can take advantage of the remote working perks, and manage the downsides.
Tuesday
By now you’re set up for the working week. You might be in the middle of a big project or tying up a few loose ends left over from last week. Either way, it’s a great time to call a group meeting and see how your team is getting on.
But in this meeting, or in any meetings you have today, take a step back and observe your colleagues. Notice their non-verbal’s and levels of energy to get an idea of how they are getting on. Are they contributing as much as usual? Do they need more or less prompting to give their input on a subject? How are they coping with colleagues… are they reacting, or are they responding?
It’s time to think about your colleagues and what steps you can take to build a high-performance remote team. By observing everyone in your virtual meetings you’ll have a better understanding of how you can support each other and make the remote working experience better for everyone.
Wednesday
Today you’ve got a podcast to listen to all about the inefficiencies of a meeting culture. Patrick Cournoyer talks to Steven Rogelberg about meetings - are we having too many? Are they too long? And are we wasting time?
Taking part in The Colour Works Challenge is all about identifying your strengths and weaknesses and finding areas that might require a little bit more effort. Virtual meetings are a great place to start. Make sure you are logging on to your meeting fully prepared, having laid out a clear agenda and set your expectations.
By tuning in to this podcast, you can become the master of managing your remote meetings and make sure they are always efficient. The thing we love most about this podcast is that the key learning points are easily transferable between virtual and face-to-face meetings.
Thursday
What is the thing that you miss the most from the office environment? We miss the small talk as the kettle boils and that moment you bump into a colleague in the hall. Both of which help us share our thoughts and hear how things are being done in different departments.
Technology has been great and over the last year, we have all proven that it’s possible to do our jobs remotely. However, we need that social connection to make team collaboration truly work. We need to know what Sandra from HR is having for tea and whether or not Michael’s son landed that promotion.
That’s why today’s task is to have a virtual catch up. A brief video call with one of your colleagues over a cuppa or whilst on a walk where you don’t talk about work! Nice and easy, but often overlooked.
So block out a section of your calendar and drop that invite over to your colleague. This virtual catch-up will bring you closer, keep you in the loop and make someone else feel more valued. Don’t forget to grab a screenshot and share it with us using the hashtag: #ColourWorksChallenge.
Friday
Take a look at everything you have achieved so far:
- You’ve found out how you can take advantage of the perks of remote working by watching Lisette Sutherland’s TED Talk
- You’ve gone back to office basics by focusing on the human side of the interaction through a social catch-up.
- You’ve listened to Patrick Cournoyer talk to Steven Rogelberg discusing meetings, and how you can manage your virtual meetings more effectively.
- And, you’ve sat back and observed your colleagues to see who might need a bit more support when it comes to remote working
Today is your day to reflect. Think about all of the activities that you have completed so far this week and make a list of what you’ve learnt. What impact does everything you’ve discovered this week have on you and your colleagues? And how does it effect your remote team and how you work together?
After spending yesterday observing your colleagues in virtual meetings, you know exactly what you need to do. You’re ready to rise to the challenge of remote working by becoming a pro at managing virtual meetings and building remote teams.
Are you ready to rise to the #ColourWorksChallenge?
You know what to do. Kick start your Monday morning with this month's challenge and give your remote working skills a refresh. Let us know you’re taking part by tagging us on social media and using #ColourWorksChallenge. Finally, remember that happiness is a journey, not a destination so enjoy the ride and have a great time!
