How to Boost Trustworthiness and Build Rapport on Video
Episode 4 of Conversations in the Future of Work is LIVE! This week, we welcome renowned behavioral scientist and Director of Education at Social Engineer, Dr. Abbie Maroño, PhD. In this episode we discuss the concept of building trust and rapport in virtual environments as work transitions more towards a virtual atmosphere post pandemic. Dr. Abbie emphasizes the crucial distinction between trust and rapport and also explains the importance in managing one’s nonverbal cues to be perceived as trustworthy. Interestingly, being perceived as trustworthy, does not make you a trustworthy person – But why leave the perception of trustworthiness on the table? Overall, this episode provides the audience with valuable insights and strategies to create more meaningful and effective relationships and navigate the challenges of the virtual environment. https://youtu.be/P2aKFB8wYww
How to Set Yourself Up for Meaningful Conversations
Episode 3 of Conversations in the Future of Work is LIVE! This week, we welcome one of our favorite Europeans – Roberto Ferraro. Roberto was first exposed to Virtual Sapiens through our partners at IMD in Switzerland. In this episode we explore some of the creative ways Roberto has evolved his approach to establishing ‘meaningful conversations’ across channels. Roberto discusses the need for adaptability and a willingness to experiment with different forms of communication to engage and connect with others. From trying out new tech set up components to leveraging tools to build new communication skills specific to this nature of work. And we must say, his virtual presence has improved measurably in his use of Virtual Sapiens. Overall, this episode provides practical and lived insights on how we can adapt our communication styles and techniques to better navigate the world of virtual communication and create more meaningful interactions despite being physically apart. https://youtu.be/u8DMHOxGS3g
How to Avoid ‘Disfluency’ in our Virtual World
Episode 2 in our pilot series of Conversations in the Future of Work is live! This week, we welcome the inimitable Rosemary Ravinal a former international media executive and broadcaster who transitioned to her first love, public speaking and storytelling. Her work, while pervasive across industries, has a strong focus on Spanish speaking leaders, helping them build the confidence to lead in a non-native language. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJpgrqzpTvA In this episode, Ravinal notes the increasing significance of communication skills, including cross-channel fluency and the ability to adapt to different modes of communication in the modern work environment. The concept of cross-channel fluency in particular resonates with me and the work we do at Virtual Sapiens. I have found there is a gap in matching specific communication skills to the appropriate channel of communication. A ‘disfluency’, as Rosemary points out. After all, the way you email is different from the way you might show up in person, which is different from the way you might show up virtually. That’s a lot to think about…but it’s a necessary skills adaptation to our new world of work. Give this episode a listen and feel free to connect with Rosemary directly in LinkedIn.
Announcing Our New Talk Show!
We are thrilled to announced the pilot season of our new Talk Show – Conversations in the Future of Work. After being the subject and guest of many phenomenal podcasts, our CEO, Rachel Cossar turns the tables and welcomes some of the amazing leaders, coaches and scientists who have become an integral part of our community. Every two weeks we will air a conversation on different, relevant topics when it comes to preparing for the constantly evolving future of work. This week, I welcomed Beth Rogers, President of Point Taken Consulting. We discuss the critical nature of developing human communication skills in our hybrid world. Check out our first full episode below along with a succinct show summary. Let us know if there is someone you think we should have on our show! https://youtu.be/5IzBZVtxOQY In this particular episode, the host, Rachel Cossar, CEO of Virtual Sapiens, welcomes Beth Rogers, President and owner of Point Taken Consulting. The crux of their discussion revolves around the evolution of the workplace and how effective communication is becoming increasingly crucial in the wake of these changes. Drawing upon her extensive experience from more than two decades working with executives and refining their interpersonal skills, Rogers emphasizes the importance of honing communication as a learned skill akin to learning a sport like tennis. She shares that just like sports, anyone can learn the art of communication and can be reasonably good at it with the correct guidance and practice, dismissing the notion that communication prowess is an inborn quality. A significant portion of the conversation also addresses the implications of the shift to hybrid work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rogers posits that this transition has not only altered the way meetings are conducted but also the skills required to facilitate such meetings effectively. Navigating the hybrid work landscape is a mentally demanding task that requires a lot of learning and unlearning. Understanding your audience is deemed essential to ensure smooth interaction, especially in hybrid scenarios where participants can often feel left out. Beth also compares and contrasts her experiences working with MBA students versus professionals in the field. While there are many overlapping elements, she points out a considerable difference in terms of motivation. She observes that students are driven by the desire to get good grades, whereas professionals usually attend her sessions due to a need to improve some aspect of their work or due to it being a mandated requirement. Irrespective of this, there’s an overarching “Aha!” moment that dawns upon participants when they comprehend how much control they can exert over shaping the perceptions others have of them through improved communication. An illustration of this transformative realization is shared through the journey of her MBA student who successfully ran for student government by applying the skills learned in her course, making a dent in history as the first part-time MBA student to achieve this feat. This episode truly emphasizes the power of effective communication in reshaping personal and professional trajectories. This Talk Show is hosted on the Zync.ai platform.