#9: Why 6 in 10 managers don't feel prepared for flexible work models 👉

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💡 “Distributed work” tip of the week

Expert of the week: Iwo Szapar (Co-Founder & Head of Remote at Remote-how)

How to encourage open dialogue: 5 actionable ways

1. Lead by example 🗣

Leaders should demonstrate open dialogue by being transparent about their thoughts, ideas, and even their vulnerabilities:

• Share a mistake you made and what you learned from it

• Tell your team when you are having a bad day

• Ask them proactively to give you feedback

This will show team members that it's okay to express themselves openly.

2. Active listening 👂

Leaders should practice active listening during conversations.

• Don’t interrupt

• Respond thoughtfully

• Listen without judging

• Don’t plan what to say next

• Ask questions to better understand

• Focus on the speaker, not on yourself

• Don’t impose your opinions or solutions

This will show team members that you actually care about what they say.

3. Encourage Questions 🙋

Leaders should encourage team members to ask questions during meetings and discussions.

• Lead by example: ask questions yourself

• Focus on the initiative and not just the question

• Make sure to listen to what’s being asked

This can stimulate dialogue and show team members that their input is valued.

4. Open-Door Policy 🚪

Implement an open-door policy where team members feel comfortable approaching leaders with their ideas, concerns, or issues.

• Be open to new ideas

• Promote healthy discussions

• Ask team members for support

• Don’t judge new ideas, encourage them

This will encourage people to share what’s on their mind.

5. Regular Check-ins ✅

Schedule regular check-ins with team members to discuss their thoughts, ideas, and any concerns they may have. Ask them proactively:

• If they are getting enough feedback

• If they have any ideas or concerns

• If they need specific training

This can help to build trust and promote open dialogue.

How approachable are you? And how well are you communicating with your team?

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🎙 AI and distributed work

📰 Article of the week

Only 4 in 10 managers feel prepared for flexible work models.

Instead of debating whether the company should be remote, hybrid, or in-person, companies should be focusing on building trust.

According to Another’s CEO, Jess Lancashire, that’s the best way to understand which model fits your organization best.

Another’s data shows that 81% of team leaders think they need to learn new skills to successfully manage their teams in flexible working models. But 44% of them believe they didn’t have the right training, tools, or support to do their job properly.

Read the full article here

Do you think Another’s CEO is right? Here’s a great tool to help you:

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🧑‍🏫  AI Mentor

Identify your remote or hybrid work challenges by talking to our AI-powered chatbot. Get results in a few minutes.

🎯 Comprehensive Assessment: Understand your readiness for distributed work across multiple dimensions.

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Have a great week,

Iwo & the Remote-First Institute team 💙