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Leading in turbulent times webinar series: 7 deadly sins of virtual communication

Tips for teams
March 2020


This webinar with Ina Toegel, IMD Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change, and Michael Yaziji, Professor of Strategy and Leadership at IMD, appeared live on Monday 30th March, at 11am CET.

The world’s virtual communication skills have never been put to the test more than now, as working from home becomes the new norm for the vast majority of people, under new coronavirus conditions.

Turning on the camera and logging into Zoom might seem simple but there is far more to the art of useful virtual communication. Do we really understand this format? What are the major barriers we are experiencing to the best possible experience of this new normal way to work?

This is the overarching theme of this webinar, which offers many useful tips for employees whether their main concern is technological issues, lack of emotional connection, sub-optimal engagement or an ebbing sense of routine.

They also offered advice on issues that would be hard to pick up on. For example, it’s best for everyone to use video in order to boost engagement and tap into facial expressions. In the event where more than one person could potentially dial in from the same computer, it’s best that they don’t as it creates negative “us” versus “them” vibes.

Team leaders should encourage humour and fun (the likes of formal Fridays, with suits and ties for the camera); must also acknowledge people’s likely fatigue; and should beware an entirely task-focussed stream of calls. Learn insights like these and more on how to keep up your team’s spirit, as well as boost performance.

To view all webinars, please visit our Leading in Turbulent Times page here.

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