Virtual Collaboration for a Hybrid Workforce

No more sticky notes!

Just kidding. I love sticky notes.

Collaboration in a Traditional Environment

Have you ever been in a conference room - sticky notes and markers spread across the table? Conversations flowing. Creativity booming. You are in your element. And everyone is excited.

This is the picture I have in my head when I think about collaboration.

Concerns about Collaboration

Over the past year+, we've found new ways to collaborate.

Despite our ability to adapt, collaboration is often a concern when leaders think about the hybrid workforce.

And it's a valid concern.

Having some people together in an office and some on a computer from all over the country or world can seem intimidating.

Virtual Collaboration for the Hybrid Workforce

Virtual collaboration can be done.

How?

1. Identify the collaboration opportunity and frame the question(s) you want to answer.

2. Prepare - just like you would grab all the sticky notes and markers and pens for your conference room, you also need to prepare to collaborate virtually. It's not just about showing up on a Zoom call and asking the questions. Design the call to be collaborative.

-Large group discussion

-Small group discussions using breakout rooms

-Annotation on white boards

-Digital sticky notes

-Polls for virtual voting

3. Facilitate the conversation. You need a skilled virtual facilitator who can guide the group throughout the process.

Virtual collaboration can be done and it can be a lot of fun.

I know because I often include virtual collaboration in the virtual training I create. It's a great way to build those collaboration muscles, and it allows participants to share their thoughts, ideas, and expertise with the group, which is a huge win in learning.

No sticky notes needed.

Additional Support for Virtual Collaboration

Part of what makes virtual collaboration successful is strong facilitation. If you want to build your virtual facilitation skills so you can facilitate these collaborative conversations more effectively, grab my free Virtual Facilitation Formula.

Key Takeaways

Virtual collaboration can be intimidating, but it can be done and it can even work for a hybrid workforce. Spend some time to identify the right thing to focus on, prepare for the meeting (design and technology), and facilitate it effectively.