The Remote Work Bootcamp

Program Overview

The Covid-19 pandemic (and the fear it inspires) has wreaked havoc on our established ways of living and working. Employees of organizations with large offices or networks of offices face especially exceptional disruptions, as they find themselves suddenly at home, trying to work. When the pandemic hit, teams of all sizes, in every corner of the world launched into a crash course in remote work. And many aren't passing the test. Technology and data security choices are confusing. Communication feels inefficient. Collaboration is slowing down. Tensions are rising.

At first glance, it seems like a technology challenge. But that's not quite true. The technology can have issues, yes, but it's not the cause of the big, hairy problems that threaten to slow down productivity and innovation as we transition en masse to virtual work.

For the past five years our team at Nomadic Learning has built digital programs that have helped tens of thousands of employees at organizations around the world—from Fortune 500 to new start-ups—make the transition to remote work. The Remote Work Bootcamp is based on what we learned.

Field Manuals

The Remote Work Bootcamp is made up of 4 Field Manuals (our version of an online module). Field Manuals are concentrated bursts of deep learning, intended for immediate application. Each one contains a variety of types of content and social exercises culminating in a mini-project, reflection, or debate. Each Field Manual will take 30-45 minutes to complete, but you can jump on and off at your own pace, as often as you’d like. The deeper learning happens in the discussions with your fellow learners, so be sure to check in on the conversations regularly.

• 1. Tools + Rules

  Choosing the right tools to power your remote teams is essential, but it’s just the first step. If your teams don’t have clearly established formal rules and informal norms for how those tools are used, chaos can follow. This Field Manual helps make sense of the digital tools you’ll need and asks you to work together to establish how you want to use them.

• 2. Space + Routine

  Working remotely forces us into the conundrum of creating space to actually get work done. That’s especially difficult when children are home and distractions are nearly infinite. This Field Manual looks at practical steps you and your team can take to create space and set up effective routines.

• 3. Trust + Relationships

  Maintaining trust with people you never see in person is incredibly challenging. The best remote teams work hard to help their people build meaningful, trusting relationships anyway. This Field Manual looks at a variety of ways to build or reestablish trust quickly, develop real relationships that last over time, and adopt a series of practices that support the emotional health of a remote team.

• 4. Uncertainty + Resilience

  We’re in a period of profound uncertainty with no end in sight. Teams that can adapt quickly and establish a good rhythm of remote working will be more resilient and effective, regardless of what happens next. This Field Manual looks at what that resilience can look like. But it also asks something even harder: What can we be hopeful about right now? How can we cultivate and protect that hope?