In feedback we trust
Can you guess the most used word in 2020? Pretty easy, right? For those who changed jobs, careers paths or even lifestyle in the past year, there is other C-word we should not forget: connection. And I don’t mean the internet one. How to make a good mix between a remote team, challenging goals and smart work? Let’s find out how we do it at Talk2U!
By Georgina (aka Gigi) Tofé
Senior Project Manager
gigi@talk2u.org
👉 Español
I am one of those shaken professionally by the pandemic. It made me realize that work was all consuming and also very stressful. I used to work as a freelancer, with different agencies, projects and deadlines every day. Without my active social life to keep me balanced, I buried myself in work. And that went sour rapidly. Poor sleeping pattern and anxiety led me to seek a new gig, a team challenge I could be part of and I started sending my CV to every person, contact and job posting I found fitting.
Eventually I did make the switch, after 5 years of flying solo, and since February I’m part of Talk2U. I knew from the start it would be a demanding role and I was used to working at home, but being 100% remote team means a different kind of mindset.
Miscommunication is also a virus
We are 5 senior professionals (+ collaborators) that have never been in the same room together and only seen each other’s faces through video calls. Does that affect the connections we make with each other? Yes, yes it does. Working remote is great in so many aspects, but the human one, that needs special attention to make good bonds that show results.
Since I’m the new one, I brought my ways, energy and ideas to the table. And part of my interest is to focus on that human aspect that, when it goes smoothly, makes the job so much easier and collaborative. I’m constantly trying to find ways to do better, do together and achieve our goals, inspire others.
The way we find more effective to avoid misunderstandings is to be clear with our requests, implementing good feedback sessions processes that align us. We also keep our Talkers community close, as their opinion is key to adapt and correct our products.
Teamwork meets structures
We use methodologies that go along with company’s culture, a bit of “live what you preach” motto. What are those methodologies? One is Agile: breaking projects and tasks into smaller pieces/phases, more achievable and that can be perfected as we go. Needs constant collaboration and commitment from each member of the team. Also, trust is the base of it, no micromanagement.
Scrum is a specific Agile methodology that facilitates a project and has five values that we relate to: commitment, focus, openness, respect, and courage. Emotions are also allowed in our workspace, the challenge is not to get overwhelmed by them.
Some examples of what works for us: Bi-daily meetings, keeping track of time, setting ambitious goals every week, admitting error, raising our hand when we’re stuck, admitting when we do wrong and celebrate when we get it right. No fault ball goes around, we have responsibilities and we honor them. Always with our daily motivator in mind: inspire honest conversations to empower youth and build a better future together.
Trust is about honesty and openness. It’s about real connection. It’s like playing with Lego blocks, you need time, patience and attention. And dialogue. That’s why giving (and receiving) good feedback is key to make it long lasting.
If you haven’t seen our brand new web page, do it now! Learn more about what we do at Talk2u, how we do it and how to help us. We thrive on collaboration mode >>>
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Gigi is the guardian of deadlines at T2U. She plans, writes and makes sure everything is on track. She is as curious as she is anxious, and reads more than five books at the same time. She loves cheese but not cheddar.
