Remote Management

A doubleheader is the play of two games in immediate succession. In this doubleheader LOLA, we ask an open question about the training topic and record the answers from two different subject-matter experts. It is very likely that these two answers to the same question differ from each other. By asking the participants to compare and contrast these answers, we increase their understanding of the topic.

Synopsis

Focus the participants’ attention to a key question related to the training topic. Play the recorded answers to this question from two different experts. Ask the participants to compare and contrast the two answers.

Purpose

To reflect on the similarities and differences among expert opinions about the training topic.

Participants

  • Minimum: 2

  • Maximum: Any number

  • Best 112 to 30

Time

20 to 90 minutes, depending on the length and complexity of the answers

Audio Recordings

Recorded answers to the same question from two different experts

Supplies

Paper and pencil

Technical Requirements

  • Mic

  • Video

  • Breakout Rooms

  • File Sharing

Preparation

Ask an open question. Come up with an important question related to the training topic. Recently, we conducted a workshop on managing a remote team. Our question was, “How can you better manage employees working remotely from their homes?”

Select two experts. Choose people with research and application experience in the field related to the question. Try to recruit experts who are likely to have different perspectives on the topic.

Record the answers. Ask the experts to separately answer the same question within the same time limit (preferably of 5 minutes). Make an audio recording of these answers.

Flow

Present the question. Tell the participants that you will explore some important aspect of remote management. Explain that you will focus on this key question:

How can you better manage employees working remotely from their homes?

Play the answers. Explain that you have recorded 5-minute answers to this question from two different experts. Encourage the participants to take notes as they listen to these answers. Play the two answers, one after the other, with a slight pause in between.

Form teams. Divide the participants into teams of 3 to 5 participants. Send each team to a different breakout room.

Present teamwork assignment. Remind the teams that there is no single correct answer to broad open questions like the one you are exploring. Ask the members of each breakout team to compare and contrast the two answers by using these discussion questions:

What are the similarities between the two answers?

What is the most important similarity?

What are the differences between the two answers?

What is the most important difference?

Announce a suitable time limit (of about 7 minutes)

Present the teams’ conclusions. At the end of the time limit, bring the participants back to the main room. Invite the teams to take turns to share their answers to the discussion question. Conduct a comparison of these answers.

Present individual assignment. Ask each participant to write down the one useful idea they can share with their colleagues for immediate application. After a suitable pause, ask a few volunteers to present their idea.

Reuse this LOLA

Remote Management is based on a LOLA template called Doubleheader. You can use this template to create your own LOLAs to explore different training topics. We have designed and facilitated LOLAs with these questions:

  • What is human performance technology?

  • What advice would you give to expat managers working in your country?

  • How can we motivate remote online team members?

  • How can we make people listen more actively to what we say?

  • What are the differences between a leader and a manager?

  • How can we mediate in a conflict between two groups of employees?