Navigating Modern Collaboration in A Hyperconnected World

The pandemic really changed the face of the modern corporate workplace. Almost overnight, offices emptied out and working from home became the norm.

Teams started operating virtually, and systems were quickly put in place to keep them connected and working together.

While most offices have seen most team members return, at least part-time, the new ways of working have stuck around.

Virtual teams are more commonplace than ever, and the technologies supporting and enabling them have evolved and spread rapidly.

This has driven a significant change in team dynamics, and the skills and structures required to lead and inspire high-performance.

The Evolving Nature of Connectivity

The pandemic may have supercharged the process, but most organizations had been focused on increasing connectivity for years before that.

The move toward digitization has roots that stretch back to the late 1980s. At that time, organizations were beginning to explore what adopting new information technologies could mean for their operations and people. Systems were rudimentary, at least by today’s standards, but revolutionized resource planning (ERP) and customer management (CRM) activities.

In the 1990s, the rapid increase in internet connectivity drove the expansion of e-commerce and popularized online payment systems. Early in the new millennium, the first social media platforms began to appear, fundamentally changing how we share information. At the same time, the first large-scale cloud computing services became widely available, enabling virtual, on-demand access and rapid scalability.

By the mid-2010s, digital transformation programs had become widespread as organizations looked to consolidate, standardize, and upgrade their technology platforms. Many had organically adopted a range of tools and technologies, but the barriers between the disparate systems increasingly created operational issues. To address this, more holistic solutions were developed and implemented, usually involving a small number of core multi-disciplinary systems.

As user experience was a key consideration for most digital transformation programs, seamless integrations were usually a major component. Most solutions were also designed to streamline processes, achieve operating efficiencies, and integrate standalone operations into the global digital network. As such, these programs really set the standard and laid the groundwork for the hyperconnected workplaces we know today.

Collaboration in a Digital-First World

It’s now expected that team members will be able to connect and work anytime and from anywhere in the world. Seamless technology platforms enable real-time data sharing, allowing geographically dispersed teams and external partners to operate concurrently and collaboratively.

This is supported through the use of dedicated collaboration tools. Messaging systems enable instant communication, leveraging familiar functionality from popular social media sites, while video conferencing allows teams to meet virtually. Project management and workflow tools help automate task scheduling and progress reporting, and file-sharing platforms facilitate on-demand data access.

This means teams can move faster, share and explore new ideas easily, consult broadly, and engage any additional expertise they require. However, the removal of traditional operating limitations, like location requirements, can also create functional and cultural issues.

Time zones can be a real obstacle for global teams, as complex calculations are often required to find suitable meeting times. The physical and psychological distance between virtual team members can result in feelings of disconnection and isolation. It’s also harder to develop a sense of connection, camaraderie, and shared purpose within a remote team.

Practical Strategies for Fostering Modern Collaboration

Making the most of a hyper-connected environment requires structure, trust, and clear communication.

Acknowledging this, there are a few important things you should do to optimize your team’s performance.

• Establish rules and roles: Working closely together can create confusion about who does what and who makes which decisions. Prevent this by clearly defining responsibilities and success metrics for all team members. This creates accountability and provides visibility of everyone’s expected contribution to the team’s shared objectives.
• Create communication protocols: Digital collaboration tools allow all team members to contact their colleagues about anything, at any time. This increases the risk of “spamming”, which decreases engagement and can create a perception that team members should always be available. To combat this, define how and when each channel should be used, preferably prioritizing asynchronous options, and set realistic response time expectations.
• Provide opportunities to socialize: When working remotely, team members usually have limited opportunities to bond and get to know each other better. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, as well as impact the cohesiveness and efficiency of the team. To address this, create “remote watercooler moments”, like virtual coffee breaks and channels on messaging platforms devoted to social discussions.
• Invest in skill development: Being an effective remote worker requires technical knowledge, self-management, interpersonal skills, and strong leadership. Ensure team members are adequately equipped by providing both technical training and advice on time management, conflict resolution, and digital communication. For team leaders, an online EdD in organizational leadership could help build the strategic mindset required to head high-performing remote teams.
• Seek and provide feedback: Your ways of working should constantly evolve to reflect the makeup of the team and the requirements of the organization. Check practices and processes are still fit-for-purpose by regularly soliciting feedback from team members, through surveys or during one-on-one conversations. Use comments to inform potential changes to protocols and provide feedback on any suggestions that are not acted on.

To succeed within a hyper-connected work environment, a team requires the right structures and support.

Ensuring these are in place will allow all involved to realize the full potential of modern collaboration tools.