Key Takeaways
- Mindfulness at work is not just about individual benefits, it is also about creating a more mindful society and working environment. When we practice mindfulness, we are better equipped to solve the challenges that face us as an industry.
- Remote working comes with a unique set of challenges that can make it difficult for some people to adjust - one of the best daily routines is a virtual coffee - a short daily meeting open for everybody - but not mandatory. You can come, bring coffee or food and just hang around with other people. In such a friendly setup it’s easier to find out that we like similar things, read good books and are fun to work with.
- It’s important to make a virtual office accessible for everybody- from the right tech gear, like laptops or tablets with good internet connections, to ground rules on how to interact efficiently within a team.
- In the workplace, it is important to understand and respect the different personality types of our colleagues. We may not always understand or agree with their approach, but it is important to recognize that everyone has their preferences, strengths, and weaknesses.
- The times when a boss dictates what to do and how to do it are gone. Modern companies require working together with a team and guiding people on their development paths.
The industry is changing, and our perception is changing. We have people working in different time zones; we build diverse teams.
As managers, we also face challenges in terms of needs, accessibility, gender, nationalities, and other conditions that influence our teams and working environments. We cannot build projects based on Excel sheets only, not considering peoples’ preferences and options for personal growth. We need to see real people – even if we meet them in a virtual working environment only.
Remote working challenges
The past three years have brought us to a different reality, in which we can easily choose the most productive place, suitable working hours, and remote employers. Most of us no longer have to stay 8 - 9 hours at the office, but can provide the service from our own homes.
Remote working comes with a unique set of challenges that can make it difficult for some people to adjust.
It doesn’t have to be “work from home” per se, but also connecting from different offices, time zones, or countries, living the life as a digital nomad, or being able to work from anywhere when life circumstances force you to do so.
Unfortunately, it comes with a set of challenges that employees face daily in their professional environment. The most common are:
- Isolation - remote workers may feel isolated and disconnected from their colleagues, which can affect their motivation and job satisfaction.
- Communication - different time zones, languages, tools, and habits.
- Distractors - such as family members needing attention, construction work around, loud noises, etc. - I don’t claim that it is easy to focus in the office open space - but it is easier to separate the private from the professional while working.
When the pandemic started, my colleagues from different countries around the world began to work from their homes, and we found it really attractive to compare our background noises. I heard some exotic animals, music that was new to me, the sound of never-ending traffic horns, and crying babies. On the other side, my “listeners” started to recognize my cat’s noises, as he usually would start to meow incredibly loud just after I would launch a meeting.
Online meeting challenges
My team and I, all spread around the globe, wanted to be connected with the team in real-time. On a daily basis, some of the teammates just exchanged asynchronous messages on chat. They knew one another from their picture in Teams and have never had the opportunity to talk.
Have you ever tried to do a retrospective meeting with people located in four different time zones? I had this crazy idea of waking some of them up at 3 AM my time and not letting some of them fall asleep at 10 PM their time. We had one common session with food and fun and it helped us to shape a real team, not just co-workers.
One of my favourite daily routines is a virtual coffee - a short daily meeting open for everybody - but not mandatory. You can come, bring coffee or food and just hang around with other people. In such a friendly setup it’s easier to find out that we like similar things, read good books and are fun to work with.
It is a completely different situation when you meet somebody in person and then you cooperate with her/him remotely. If you only know somebody from Teams or Zoom, it is extremely hard to create a bond and trust.
What is most fun about this? Did you notice that people in Teams are the same height? When you then meet somebody in person, it might be quite a shocking experience. I had a chance to meet my leader after a couple of months of working together online only. In Teams we were talking face-to-face and eye-to-eye, when in real life it turned out that he was almost 50 cm taller than I am, and he needed to sit to have a normal conversation with me. Funny, isn’t it?
When you lead a team, it is not enough to get information from the team - it is also your role to connect them with one another. I must say, this required stepping out of our comfort zones (and sometimes bed early in the morning) from the entire group, but in the end, they didn’t mind.
Making the virtual office accessible to every team member
It is important to set ground rules for communication and make everybody aware of them.
- Set a time for the everyday meetings (daily or synchro) that suits everyone. If it’s not possible, give people at least a chance to meet online from time-to-time. Be mindful when it comes to time zones.
- If you go for lunch or you are not available - mark it in your calendar or communicator - be transparent and require the same from other people in the project.
- Use separate communication channels to separate daily business from chatting. It’s important to have space for both, but not to mix them.
- Make it clear how the team communicates - whether it’s just Teams/Zoom/Slack, or you use emails as well - what is the preferred response time? And check if everybody is okay with that.
To make the virtual office accessible to every team member, there are a few things you can do:
Make sure everyone's got the right tech gear, like laptops or tablets with good internet connections, so they can connect to the virtual office from wherever they are. Next, make sure everyone knows how to use the virtual office software, like Zoom or Slack or whatever you're using. Maybe run some training sessions or create some tutorials.
Moreover, be open to different communication styles - some folks might prefer video calls, while others might prefer messaging.
In one of my projects, I had a developer who never showed his face in the meetings with the group. He used an avatar and was quite a mysterious person to the rest of the team. On the other hand, in one-on-one sessions, I was able to see him live. Some people might think it’s weird, but he probably had reasons behind it, so we respected it.
Lastly, make sure everyone knows they can reach out for help if they're having any issues connecting to or using the virtual office. Accessibility is all about making sure everyone's included, so do what you can to make sure everyone feels like they're part of the team, whether they're in the same room or on the other side of the world! My favourite tip: when at least one person is not in the same room, everybody connects from their desktops - not from the conference room. It improves sound quality and allows participation in the discussion on the same terms as everyone else.
Mindfulness at work
Mindfulness is often described as the practice of purposely bringing one's attention to the present-moment experience without evaluation. This simple definition, however, belies the profound impact that mindfulness can have on our lives.
Research has shown that being mindful can bring a wide range of benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving focus and memory. It can also help us to build better relationships, as it enables us to be more attuned to the needs and perspectives of people around us.
On the other hand, mindfulness is not just about individual benefits, it is also about creating a more mindful society and working environment. When we practice mindfulness, we become more compassionate and understanding, and we are better equipped to solve the challenges that face us as an industry.
To practice mindfulness, you can start small, as we did in my team. For example, we exchange some yoga practices that help us be in better connection with our bodies. We also stay close to one another, we check on others’ feelings and moods and don’t cross our boundaries. It all makes us a team - not a group of co-workers.
Personality types help to better understand and respect people
We all come from different backgrounds, have different experiences, and possess unique personalities, and it is these differences that make us who we are.
In the workplace, it is important to understand and respect the different personality types of our colleagues. We may not always understand or agree with their approach, but it is important to recognize that everyone has their preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. By respecting these differences, we can work together more effectively, and create a more harmonious work environment.
Thomas Erikson's book "Surrounded by Idiots" is a total game-changer when it comes to understanding personality types! The book argues that there are four main personality types - red, blue, yellow, and green - and that knowing someone's type can help us understand how they think, feel, and behave.
For example, if you know someone's blue, you might understand that they're detail-oriented and like to plan things out in advance, while a Yellow might be more spontaneous and enjoy taking risks. This knowledge can help us communicate with others in a way that's more effective and respectful.
By understanding someone's personality type, we can also learn to appreciate their strengths and weaknesses. Maybe you're a red who's great at taking charge, but not so great at listening to other people's ideas - but you can respect a yellow's ability to come up with creative solutions.
I’m almost 100% red and I have the entire package. I ALWAYS do my tasks on time (or even before the deadline), but barely do small talk - just go straight to the business. There are people, who understand my pace and we fantastically get along, there are also some who find my way of working rude. And I respect both. I know how hard it is for me to wait for a detailed analysis from a blue :)
How managers build relationships with their teams
Building strong relationships with your team is crucial for any manager, but it's especially important when you're working in software testing. As testers usually have the overall view on the project, they need to be in touch with everybody else in the project, not just their own group. This can be stressful both for you and your team members. Here are a few tips for building good relationships:
- Communication is key. Make sure you're clear and transparent with your team about goals, expectations, and deadlines. Encourage open and honest communication, and be willing to listen to feedback and concerns. It is even more important if you work remotely and know each other only via Teams or Zoom.
- Show appreciation. Let your team know when they're doing a great job, and celebrate their successes. Take the time to thank them for their hard work, and recognize their contributions.
- Invest in your team's development. Support your team's growth and learning, whether that's through training, conferences, or mentorship. Show that you care about their careers, and want to help them achieve their goals.
- Have fun! Work can be stressful, so make sure you take the time to enjoy each other's company. Plan team-building activities, celebrate birthdays and milestones, and find ways to inject a bit of fun and laughter into the workday.
From time-to-time I have the opportunity to work with my team in one office. On those days we eat cake, drink coffee together and have lunch. Our space in the office is also decorated with hand-made posters, funny sentences from our chat and made-up certificates. I think people like to work from there and enjoy the good mood that we have created together.
Become an approachable person
The times when a boss dictates what to do and how to do it are gone. Modern companies require working together with a team and guiding people on their development paths. It’s no longer about focusing on KPIs, deadlines, and products, as that becomes the easiest way of losing great people and being the Worst Place To Work.
In such a team composition, a modern manager or a leader has to be approachable. Easier said than done, right?
First, make sure you're always available for your team. Encourage them to come to you with questions, concerns, or just to chat. My tip is to have a regular slot in your calendar dedicated to your team only.
Second, be friendly and personable. Get to know your team members on a personal level, and show genuine interest in their lives and interests. Of course, you are at work, and not everybody would like to share their personal life details, but being open and caring is what you need to practice every day.
Last but not least - be transparent. Share information about what's going on in the company, and be honest about any challenges or issues that arise. By being approachable, friendly, and transparent, you can build strong relationships with your team that will help you all succeed.