LeadershipCatalyst PowerBites

#1 - Setting the Scene

In episode 1, we cover the scope of the whole series, focusing on three key areas. We start with the powerful impact the online or virtual world offers leaders, then an overview of the challenges we face in this environment and finally close with an overview of how to overcome these challenges.

#2 - The Power of Virtual

In the 2nd episode we start with what everyone now calls the New Normal, in which virtual leadership needs to function effectively. The rest of this episode provides an overview of the elements that contribute to making a virtual session more powerful.

#3 - The Challenges of Virtual: Overview

In this overview episode we look at the challenges of virtual leadership from three perspectives or levels: the personal, the relationship and task level. We also touch on a few challenges to prepare for the deeper dive we do in later episodes

#4 - Personal Level Challenges: Vulnerability and Fear

In the 4th episode we dive deeper in the challenges that emanate from vulnerability and fear. Specifically, we talk about the mental barriers that are triggered through a lack of trust, the deep fears about ourselves and who we are, which very often trigger self-protection as a reaction. In addition, we cover self-limiting beliefs and the challenge we face of having to open ourselves up in an virtual environment in order to participate and benefit from the online interaction.

#5 - Personal Level Challenges: Lack of Intention

In episode 5 we dive into the challenge, Lack of Intention – when collaborating in a virtual space. We focus on six elements that all interact and build on each other. These are: having a lack of purpose and clarity results in a perceived lack of choice. This in turn is very often driven or influenced by a lack of curiosity. As result, we experience a lack of engagement and subsequently a lack of commitment to be able to collaborate effectively.

#6 - Relationship Level Challenges

In episode 6 we cover firstly the challenge of excuses. Excuses can be found on the personal as well as on the relationship dimension, resulting from a mindset of blaming other things, people or technology.

#7 - Task level Challenges: Multitasking & Fear of Technology

In this episode we explore how multitasking as a BEHAVIOUR distracts us from constructively participating when collaborating online and what influences that behaviour in ourselves. In an online workshop, we not only lose our connection to the learning process but also have a less than positive impact on others’ learning experience. 

#8 - Task level Challenges: Technology Failure

The last episode on the challenges covers technology failure or disruption. A key element in this challenge revolves around our own mind chatter about potential disruptions. This then distracts us from the actual workshop that we are supposed to participate in, or alternatively facilitate. 

#9 - How to Own the Process- Overview

After spending a few episodes talking through the challenges we face, we are now moving from what these challenges are, to how to master them.  We explore practices & solutions and tips & ideas of what we can do, to actually address them, based on our own experiences of having to deal with them.

#10 - Elements to own In the process Part I

In Episode 10 we dive deeper into part 1 of the elements of the virtual process we need to own – whether as a facilitator, or as the leader of a virtual interaction. One would consider the first element – preparation – as obvious. It is, however, it is still preparing as thoroughly as possible, as well as practising a virtual interaction, that makes it the key to success. Knowing the inevitable risk situations and playing them through is what makes it look easy in the end. 

#11 - Elements to own In the process Part 2

We continue in our 11th episode with part 2 of the elements we need to own in the process. Especially in a virtual context, where distractions are so tempting and easy for participants to drift off, providing a powerful hook and clear alignment with the purpose of the workshop or meeting has a direct positive impact on participants’ motivation to engage with each other and the facilitator or leader and to stay engaged. 

#12 - Rules of Engagement Part 1

The 12th episode dives into the first part of Rules of Engagement (ROE). The essence of Rules of Engagement is to align on how we engage with each other, which in an online interaction is much more difficult to do than in face to face. The direct outcome of this alignment is the establishment of a circle of safety, which in turn lays the foundation for trust and in turn fosters collaboration. 

#13 - Rules of Engagement Part 2

Episode 13 continues our discussion on Rules of Engagement (RoE). We dive deeper into how the alignment process works and how to use this to create a solid foundation for safety, trust and collaboration. In online situations, this is even more important, as well as difficult, than in face to face situations, so that participants feel empowered and not subconsciously vulnerable, having to distance and protect themselves.

#14 - Rules of Engagement Part 3

We discuss the 7 key themes that always emerge in an RoE alignment conversation. These again, give rise or connect to every other topic or behaviour that is important to participants in a virtual interaction. Essentially, if we are able to align participants and their behaviour around these, we effectively establish psychological safety.

#15 - How to manage yourself: In the Moment

To manage ourselves in a virtual leadership development context, we need to take ownership for our attitude and emotions related to the challenges we face.  How do we show up? Where is our focus when things are not going to plan in a specific situation? The Player attitude enables us to focus on our ability to take responsibility and act, rather than blaming others. The Learner attitude opens the space for curiosity and is absolutely essential for effective listening.

#16 - Curiosity & Conscious Listening

In the virtual world, listening becomes much more important because of all the additional – real or perceived – barriers we need to overcome. However, instead of listening more, we tend to listen less.
We often listen to what we think others are saying, instead of concentrating and listening to what they actually say. Few people really even practice active listening in their day-to-day life despite being aware of the need for it.

#17 - Managing Connection & Curiosity

In the 2nd episode on Conscious Listening we focus on how to manage our awareness in virtual situations, through better connection and curiosity, helping us to better understand what others are saying. In online conversations we face many more challenges than in face to face situations, and we talk through many of the variables we need to address, to be able to do this effectively.

#18 - The 4 Levels of Conscious Listening - Part 1

In our discussion, going beyond Active Listening, we define the 4 levels of Conscious Listening. Often, listening is defined as consisting of 3 levels, but in our model we identify 4 levels or channels. Level 1 covers most of what is usually known as active listening. This essentially covers the words, content, message and meaning of what is being said and understood. Level 2 focuses on what transpires between the lines, in what is not said directly, during silences as well as through body language.

#19 - The 4 Levels of Conscious Listening - Part 2

In episode 2 on Conscious Listening, we identify and discuss Level 3 and 4. With Level 3, we focus on what we call mind side-tracks. With this we mean all the thoughts, thought processes and reactions that occur and distract our attention while we are listening to Level 1 & 2. Ultimately, we often listen only to our own mind chatter and not to what others are really saying. In a virtual situation where we feel less connected than in a face to face situation, this is even stronger.

#20 - How to Ask Questions

Asking open questions is an essential element of Conscious Listening, especially in a virtual setting. Most often, we ask closed questions, which very often makes life even more difficult. Two of the challenges that we face, especially online, when asking questions are the following: Time pressure – online everything takes longer and we feel pressured to close down responses instead of fostering real curiosity and opening them up. Silence – People don’t answer immediately and were left hanging in what we perceive as an embarrassing silence.

#21 - How to build Engagement part 1

Building engagement in a virtual context can be much more challenging than in a face to face situation. Not only do the technical issues make it more difficult, but the design and flow of the interaction, regardless of whether it’s a workshop or meeting is vital. Engagement needs to be built consciously and we cannot not just rely on it to happen by itself.

#22 - How to build Engagement part 2

How do you overcome engagement challenges in your online sessions?
This episode continues how we, as leaders of a virtual workshop or meeting, can have a constructive impact on engagement.

#23 - How to build Engagement part 3

Curiosity is the fuel for connection and engagement…
In part 3 we continue our discussion on how we, as leaders of a virtual workshop or meeting, can have a constructive impact on engagement. To consciously build engagement, we need to actively foster curiosity in others as the fuel for connection and engagement.

#24 - How to deal with Zoom Fatigue part 1

Do you experience Zoom Fatigue? 
How does Zoom Fatigue impact on your own virtual meetings?
Zoom Fatigue can be described as the sense of being completely exhausted after a series of online meetings. This is no urban legend. Stanford University actually did two research studies on the subject (see links below).

#25 - How to Deal with Zoom Fatigue part 2

What can you do about Zoom Fatigue?
Zoom fatigue is described as the sense of being totally exhausted after a series of online meetings. In our previous episode we focused on the first two causes, and in this episode we explore causes 3 and 4 .

#26 - How to Manage the Tech

How do you manage Tech in Virtual Meetings?
So often the start of a virtual session is delayed or even undermined by tech issues. In our 26th and 27th episode we focus on how to manage and approach this.
Topics we discuss include, how to rethink what happens in a room, in order to transfer it into a virtual setting. For example, how to replace standard elements we often use in a workshop, like flip charts and post-its, with virtual tools.

#27 - How to Manage the Tech part 2

What impact do your choices about Tech issues have on your Virtual meetings?
In our 27th episode of Virtual Leadership Development – How to Manage the Tech, we focus on how connectivity and devices impact our connection on an interpersonal or relationship level and how we can approach this constructively.

#28 - How to leverage Interpersonal Skills: Listening

Want to boost the effectiveness of your virtual communications? In episode 28 of our Virtual Leadership Development series – How to leverage Interpersonal Skills, we do a deep dive into the interpersonal skills we can leverage to achieve this. 
We are big fans of Human Synergistics’ Survival Simulation – Team Building series. One of the models used in the series Problem Solving is excellent for building problem-solving skills in Teams.

#29 - How to leverage Interpersonal Skills: Supporting

What does supporting mean as an interpersonal skill in Virtual Collaboration? How well do your team members support each other in your virtual meetings? This is the topic of our conversation in episode 29 of our Virtual Leadership Development series.
As we’ve said previously, we enjoy working with Human Synergistics’ Survival Simulation – Team Building series. In our experience, their Problem Solving model is great not only for solving problems but also in helping us improve how we communicate and collaborate in virtual sessions.

#30 - Interview - Doris Henke Part 1

Doris Henke

The Magic Starts with Connection…
In our first podcast interview in this series, we talk to Doris Henke, Head of Talent Management at BSH.

#31 - Interview -Doris Henke Part 2

Doris Henke

The Recipe to bake your own Learning Nuggets…
In our second podcast interview, we continue our conversation with Doris Henke, Head of Talent Management at BSH.