Author Archives Cate Lawrence

Having a basic understanding of observable communication style helps remove some uncertainty, and creates some swift trust. We are deliberate and purposeful about many endeavors in our lives because we know that improvement does not simply occur by itself. Anyone who wants to excel at a sport knows that deliberate

Read More

Besides beginning with good team hygiene, what can we do to foster effective communication and productive relationships in virtual teams? We can start by keeping teams as small as possible, or configure large teams into smaller sub-teams. We can extend the deliberate creation of accountability by encouraging team members to

Read More

To achieve a high-performing virtual team, several core process elements must be addressed: Creating accountability Effective communication Conflict management Accountability is a major challenge for virtual teams, especially since many virtual team members have responsibilities in addition to participation in a specific virtual team. Lack of visibility can lead to

Read More

So, for distance collaboration we just need connect! We have lots of cool technology, with many communication tools: email, telephone conferencing, team websites, instant messaging, social networks, blogs, wikis, webinars, videoconferencing, telepresence, collaborative cloud computing, etc. But just because we can move information faster, does not mean we are using

Read More

A communication reset program helps leaders take deliberate action to emphasize that unproductive conflict, evasions, stalling, and lack of accountability are a thing of the past. Most of the communication that really matters – that builds relationships – is conducted person-to-person. Direct person-to-person communication is comprised of verbal, tonal, and

Read More

When creativity and innovation could position your organization to come out on top after a downturn, examine the capabilities and conditions that will enable you to support core resources and drive that success. Nimble organizations are characterized by sustained attention to speed and resilience. Collaboration and streamlined processes are necessary

Read More

NIMBLE:  quick, alert, clever, agile, resourceful Consider the overarching strategy of best-in-class organizations: an unrelenting focus on customers’ priorities. This includes adapting positively at a moment’s notice. Supporting this focus means deliberately preparing for swift action to weather uncertainty, but also spurring innovation and taking advantage of unanticipated opportunity. Nimble

Read More

If you look at everyone in your organization as a potential change agent, how do you systematically engage them to remove waste? How can we be proactive – the basic premise of Lean – instead of reactive? We compete internationally with knowledge, innovation, flexibility, agility and speed. We communicate because

Read More