Focus Question: What questions will open up the space for EXPLORATION, FOCUS, CLARITY, INSIGHT or ACTION?
 
Description
Influence in the remote space can be a more powerful skillset than leadership. Our ability to have great conversations while working with others is critical for success. This entails supporting people to do their best work, when we might not be able to see their context. With that in mind, coaching becomes an essential modality and skillset for remote professionals at all levels. Coaching can take many forms and at its essence it is a partnership between two or more people where the coach helps the person being coached gain clarity, and support action around their key goals.
 
In the remote space, coaching may take place between a boss and their direct reports, or even two peers.
 
Questions are the heart of great coaching, and in the original core coaching competency framework of the International Coaching Federation, questions may “evoke discovery, insight, commitment or action”. 

Questions are the heart of great coaching, and in the original core coaching competency framework of the International Coaching Federation, questions may “evoke discovery, insight, commitment or action”.
 
In any conversation it can be useful to focus on questions that are:

• Short and to the point- 5-6 words each
• Focused on the topic at hand
• Asked one at a time. When we ask more than 1 question people don’t know which one to ask first
• Often start with a WHAT? How questions will point someone to how to do something – process. WHY questions will point to what’s important about the topic.

Some of my favorite coaching questions can be found in this short video – link to 20 Coaching Questions on my Youtube channel.

As I wrote in a 2017 article on Questions and Team and Group Coaching it’s also important to:
1. Keep them short, concise and to the point. Often the most powerful questions are often only 5-6 words in length
2. Adjust your questions according to the styles and preferences of the person involved
3. Provide an opportunity to focus, identify options and possibilities, to expand awareness, or to facilitate action
4. Notice any biases in our questions. Where are your questions focusing – at the 30,000-foot view OR in the weeds, around action AND awareness?
5. Use the language of the client and watch for “coach-ese” or coaching jargon.
(Reference: Britton, 2017. Questions and the Group and Team Coaching Process) 

Activity
Consider how you can incorporate the key points of today’s session. Make a list of 20 different questions you’d like to draw upon in upcoming conversations.
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For more on this topic check out: My 2013 book – From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching. You will find more about the topic of scaling the coaching conversation to more than one person in the book.

Enjoy!
Jennifer

Focus Question: Where can 1 + 1 = more than 2?
 
Description
Virtual collaboration is an art form, and a requirement of exceptional work in the remote space. “No person is an island”. It is critical that we spend time focusing on what is important for those we work with.

Collaboration can be more complex in the remote space as we don’t always see the context our colleagues are operating within. With this in mind, it can be even more important to be intentional in designing our relationships This is a topic I explore in Chapter 12 of Effective Virtual Conversations.

In Effective Virtual Conversations, I also explore some of the core skills at the heart of great collaboration. Take a minute and think about how these skills are underpinning great collaboration for you.

At the heart of great collaboration is clarity around:
Why are we collaborating? Collaboration is not always the best strategy.

What’s our common stake? What are all parties committed to?
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What do we each bring to the table? 

Activity
#1 – Where are you collaborating?
Map out the different collaboration partners you currently have? What makes them work?

#2 – Skills for Collaboration:
What skills do you lean into? What could use attention?  Some of the more common skills needed for collaboration, which I outline in Chapter 12 of Effective Virtual Conversations, is listed below.
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Complete the chart below:

For more on this topic check out: Chapter 12 – Effective Virtual Conversations and multiple sections in PlanDoTrack and Coaching Business Builder.

Best,
​Jennifer

Focus Question: What is the state of boundaries in your work right now?

Description
Boundaries are a critical part of remote work. They are important for productivity as well as well-being.
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Consider the multiple layers of boundaries which can be important including:

•       Boundaries around hours of work
•       Boundaries between work and life
•       Boundaries between project roles
•       Boundaries between hat you wear – parent and other
•       Boundaries between the virtual world and in-person

What are the boundaries which are important for you to take note of?

What happens when boundaries aren’t clear?

Which boundaries need some shoring up?

​Boundaries often get clear when we explore priorities and values. What are your core priorities for the next three months and how can these help you get more discerning around what you are going to say YES to, and NO to?

Activity 
Take note of the boundaries which exist in your work right now. What needs to be clarified or strengthened? What’s the cost of too many lax boundaries?

For more on this topic check out:
PlanDoTrack sections on Delegation.
Teams365 blog posts on Boundaries including:
Teams365 #2087 – Remote Working Myth – Boundaries aren’t important. Find this at here.

Best,
Jennifer

Focus Question: What’s important to note about your work right now?
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Description
Every quarter, I’ll be including a pause point to undertake a quarterly checkpoint. In addition to weekly and monthly planning, it can be valuable to spend time doing some quarterly planning. Looking across your goals and achievements over a three-month period, can provide a different perspective.

Activity
Earmark 30 – 60 minutes to undertake your Q3 checkpoint for the last 3 months. If you prefer to do this in the company of others, consider joining me for a quarterly planning session.

Grab a pen and your planner or journal. You may wish to set a timer, giving yourself 3-5 minutes to reflect on and capture your thoughts around each of these questions.
Note the following:

• What have you accomplished?
• What are the things which are still needing to get done?
• What has been your key learning over time?

 
Over the last three months ask yourself:

• What are the patterns you are noticing?
• What has shifted?
• What has stayed the same?
• What are you surprized about?
• What are you doing to leverage your strengths?
• What strengths are becoming overmagnified?
• What habits are helping you? What habits do you want to put more attention around?

 
Note your programming and/or services deliver. Ask yourself:

• Where have you been spending your time?
• What have you done to prioritize? What’s working and what’s not?
• How much volume of work have you been completing?

 
For more on this topic check out:
PlanDoTrack – Quarterly Planning Section
Remote Pathways New Guide – Quarterly Checkpoint (Day 30)

Enjoy your reflections!
​Jennifer