Welcome remote folks, both leaders and crews,  
To this week’s collection of work-from-home news!  
We're talking leadership through screens with flair,  
And async magic for teams everywhere.

No need for pants to be management-wise,  
Though please keep your camera framed chest-high! 
So grab your coffee, ignore Slack's sad ping,  
And learn how to make your remote empire sing!

— Shellie Sullivan, Ric Pratte, and Alan Fuhs

LEADERSHIP

From Zoom Lord to Leadership Legend: Mastering the Art of Remote Team Mojo

Ever noticed how leading a remote team feels like being a DJ at a silent disco? Everyone's grooving to their own beat, but somehow you need to keep the whole party in sync. Welcome to the wild world of remote leadership, where your management skills are tested not by how well you can hover over shoulders (spoiler: you can't), but by how effectively you can make magic happen through a screen.

Let's get real for a hot second: traditional leadership books probably didn't prepare you for dealing with "Sorry, I was on mute" being your team's unofficial motto. But here's the tea – remote leadership isn't just about managing deadlines and keeping Slack channels organized (though if you've mastered that, please share your secrets).

The secret sauce? It's all about creating genuine connections in a virtual world where pet cameos and kid chaos are just part of the daily grind. Think of yourself less as a traditional boss and more as a virtual party host – your job is to make sure everyone feels welcome, engaged, and maybe even entertained.

Here's how to level up your remote leadership game:

• The "Green Dot Detective": Notice someone's Slack status looking suspiciously green for 12 hours straight? Instead of assuming they're binge-watching Netflix, check in with genuine curiosity. Maybe they're struggling with work-life boundaries or dealing with personal stuff. Being observant without being Big Brother is an art form.

• Meeting Maestro Moves: Start meetings with a personal touch – and no, we don't mean the awkward "How was your weekend?" that nobody wants to answer. Get creative! Try "Show and Tell Thursdays" or "Worst Dad Joke Wednesdays." These moments of connection are worth their weight in virtual gold.

• The Anti-Multitask Mission: We see you trying to answer emails during that team call (yes, we can tell when you're "taking notes"). Create a culture where being present is the new premium. Pro tip: AI meeting summaries are your friend – let the robots handle the note-taking while you focus on actual human connection.

• The Camera Conundrum: While not everyone needs to look Instagram-ready, encouraging cameras-on meetings helps catch those priceless non-verbal cues. Like when Dave clearly doesn't understand the project but is nodding anyway (we've all been Dave).

Remember, great remote leadership isn't about perfection – it's about creating a space where your team can thrive, even if someone's cat decides to join the quarterly review.

Ready to transform from a Zoom wrangler to a remote leadership rockstar? Start by implementing one of these tips this week. And hey, if all else fails, there's always virtual backgrounds to hide the laundry pile behind you.

Want more remote leadership wisdom dropped straight into your inbox? Hit that subscribe button faster than you mute yourself when the neighbor starts mowing their lawn! 🎯

FEEL GOOD

Happiness is Overrated (But Joy? That's Where It's At)

Picture this: You're working from home, kids are screaming, the dog is barking, and your Slack messages are pinging like angry bees. Sound familiar, remote warriors? In moments like these, it's easy to dismiss any notion of "joy" as a wistful daydream.

But what if I told you that prioritizing joy could be the secret productivity hack you've been missing? Before you roll your eyes harder than a toddler forced to eat broccoli, hear me out.

As author Steven Petrow explains, joy is the whole-wheat muffin to happiness' sugary brownie. While happiness is a short-lived spike, joy is a steadier, more nourishing state of being. And get this – even in the darkest times, research shows over 80% of adults found pockets of joy during the pandemic.

So how do we tap into this elusive emotion when our to-do lists are longer than a Wordle streak? Here are a few tips:

Shift Your Mindset (and Grab a Gratitude Journal)

Instead of ruminating on the negatives, consciously focus on the positives. Petrow suggests keeping a daily gratitude journal – even on the tough days, you can find small bright spots, like supportive siblings or the kindness of neighbors.

Share the Joy (It's Contagious, After All)

Studies show that acts of kindness don't just boost the receiver's mood – they light up the giver's brain too. So bake some muffins, send a heartfelt thank-you note, or hold the door for a stranger. Joy loves company!

Embrace the Pauses (Your Scone May Depend on It)

When faced with a frustrating situation, try taking a "sacred pause" before reacting. This allows you to respond mindfully rather than lashing out. Petrow's scone-sharing story is proof that a little patience can lead to surprisingly joyful connections.

Remember, joy isn't about constantly feeling giddy – it's about finding pockets of wonder, gratitude, and meaning, even in the midst of struggle. So the next time life feels like an endless slog, reach for that joy-filled muffin instead of the happiness brownie. Your mind (and your waistline) will thank you.

This article was inspired by Steven Petrow's insights from his book "The Joy You Make: Find the Silver Linings—Even on Your Darkest Days."

THE VIBE

Stay in the know

• Leadership and its Role in the Remote Workplace

• Global Remote Teams: 11 Leadership Strategies For Success

• Company Culture: 7 Strategies in a Hybrid Work Environment

• Digital nomads are a force for good in Latin America

• Rookie mistakes to avoid when creating your first home office

SKILLS & THRILLS

Async or Swim: Why Your "Quick Sync" Obsession Is So 2019

Remember when "Let's hop on a quick call" was the corporate equivalent of "We need to talk"? Well, it's time to break up with your calendar and embrace the beautiful world of asynchronous communication – where your best ideas aren't limited to the 15 minutes between back-to-back Zoom calls.

Think of async communication as the "slow food" movement of the digital world. Just like how rushing through dinner leads to indigestion and regrettable food choices, racing through conversations with constant real-time meetings can lead to half-baked ideas and communication heartburn.

Here's your guide to becoming an async artiste (without ghosting your team):

The "Write Now, Reply Later" Revolution

• Stop treating every Slack message like a hot potato that needs immediate tossing

• Give people the gift of thoughtful responses (aka permission to actually think before they type)

• Embrace the beauty of different time zones – your 3 AM might be someone else's perfect productive hour

Tools of the Trade (Because Your Calendar Needs a Break)

• Project management platforms (for when your to-do list needs its own to-do list)

• Doc collaboration tools (where "track changes" becomes your new best friend)

• Video messaging (for when you need to explain something that would take 47 messages to type)

The Art of Not Meeting

Remember: Not every thought needs a calendar invite. Try these instead:

• Status updates? Drop it in the channel

• Quick question? Leave a voice note

• Something on fire? Okay fine, schedule that meeting

The Deep Work Paradise

Picture this: Two hours of uninterrupted focus time without your chat notifications doing the cha-cha. It's not a fantasy – it's the async lifestyle, baby! Block out "Do Not Disturb" time like you're protecting the last slice of pizza.

Context Is King (or Queen)

When sending async messages, think of yourself as a detective leaving clues. The more context you provide upfront, the less likely your team members will need to channel their inner Sherlock Holmes to figure out what you're talking about.

Ready to join the async revolution? Start by declining at least one "quick sync" this week and replacing it with a thoughtful async update. Your calendar (and your sanity) will thank you.

Pro tip: The next time someone says "This could have been an email," make sure it actually is one. Your move, meeting monsters!

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS

What is the primary reason you work outside your home office?

THRIVE LOCAL

Keep It Weird, Keep It Real: How Beer and Big Ideas Are Reshaping Remote Leadership in Asheville

In Asheville's thriving remote work community, something special happens when leaders gather monthly at Mojo Coworking. We call it "Leadership on Tap" – a space where meaningful connections spark transformative conversations. And true to Asheville's spirit, we keep it just a little weird.

I discovered this firsthand as a corporate transplant new to the mountains. What initially drew me in was the promise of meeting fellow leaders over local craft beverages. What kept me coming back – and eventually inspired me to become the event organizer – was witnessing how diverse leadership perspectives create powerful solutions to real-world challenges.

Each month, executives, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and aspiring managers come together to tackle pressing leadership challenges. In Asheville, we believe keeping it weird keeps it real. Our discussions venture beyond traditional territory: from preventing burnout to exploring Human Design in organizational development. The casual atmosphere, supported by Hi-Wire Brewing and Devil's Foot Beverage, helps break down barriers and foster authentic sharing.

What makes these gatherings unique is the practical value that emerges when different leadership styles intersect. A tech leader might gain fresh insights from a nonprofit director's community-building experience. A solo entrepreneur might find new approaches to team development from a corporate leader's toolkit. Each participant brings their genius to the table, and everyone walks away with actionable insights to expand their impact.

Just like any good Asheville brew, the secret is in the recipe. Take diverse leaders from all walks of life, add craft beverages and a welcoming space, then stir in open minds, fresh ideas, and genuine connection. And this recipe works - our participants consistently report finding practical solutions and meaningful relationships!

Mark your calendars for our grand return on January 18th, 2025, at Mojo Coworking. After a Helene and holiday hiatus, we're excited to kick off fresh in the new year.

Or if you're inspired to create a similar gathering in your city, we're happy to share our recipe. The key? Invite your community to craft it their way - the best insights often come from unexpected ingredients. We're here to help you get started.

Learn more about Thrive Local Chapters