We hope you, your colleagues and families are taking precautions to avoid exposure to the virus.

Remote collaboration is not new to mediaX. From 2008 to 2019, mediaX supported a decade-long research theme that evolved from the productivity of knowledge workers to remote team collaboration to distance learning and back again to performance and productivity – all leveraging both IT and human sciences.

Stanford’s “shelter in place” mandate gives us an opportunity to reflect on highlights and insights from several of these mediaX activities.

*Three processes – accessing past knowledge, enhancing current interactions and clarifying future directions – are critical to the productivity of creative teams whether they are face-to-face or remote. Best practices in teamwork and project management can make sure all three are considered.

*Team performance improves when engagement can be maintained among the people working on remote teams. Tuning in to how much people are talking and moving during remote conferencing can provide clues about engagement, mood, arousal and meeting valence. These clues are useful in keeping team members motivated and focused with cognitive flexibility. Structuring active participation and interaction can be incorporated into remote meetings to increase connection and focus.

*Personal, team and organizational workflows may shift in remote working situations; they are influenced by mindset and productivity tools. A growth mindset encourages trying new things and learning from experience. Opportunities to adapt team composition and working style requires both giving feedback and openness to receive it, which can be personally or computationally delivered.

Rather than social distancing, let’s think more about physical distancing and distant socializing.

We count on the opportunities that lie ahead to continue to meaningful exchanges with you.