Leading Virtual Work Teams

Virtual teams are emerging as the basic unit for conducting business of all types. Studies show that over 80% of workers today are involved in some way with team members who are not physically located in the same office. Virtual communication networks have made virtual teams possible, while globalization has made them a necessity.

Leading virtual teams presents new challenges to leaders and managers because you have a decreased line of sight that can impact your capacity to build and maintain relationships and engagement, and manage performance and communication. There is a greater tendency for remote employees to make assumptions, feel isolated and disconnected, not understand how their work fits into the bigger picture, and not share their frustrations or concerns. The following actions can help you overcome these challenges so you can lead your remote employees and teams more effectively:

  • Do a face-to-face team building event at least once a year.
  • Determine communication ground-rules that enable successful working relationships: respond to feedback requests within the requested timeframe (avoid virtual silence); avoid multi-tasking during meetings; when you disagree, seek to understand more before seeking to be understood; discuss sensitive information via phone not email; agree on acceptable hours for communication, how to reach one another outside of normal working hours and emergencies, and when, how, and who to inform if coming in late, leaving early, or taking time off.
  • Work with your team to create the team’s purpose, vision, brand/logo, team theme, and song.
  • Invite members to share personal stories of recent events at the start of your staff meetings.
  • Have a recognition program.
  • Be very accessible and responsive. Be accommodating to employees who work in different time zones than you.
  • Set expectation that employees need to proactively raise concerns to you. It is hard to be a mind reader from afar especially when you don’t have any visual cues.
  • Maintain a consistent schedule of 1:1 meetings. Ask direct questions during 1:1 meetings: What else do you need from me? How do you feel about your current contribution to our team?
  • Broker networking opportunities for remote employees by connecting them with peer groups or mentors in their location.

For more information on leadership skills and management tools necessary to thrive and succeed in a virtual environment, don’t’ miss the Leading Virtual Work Teams session at AICPA Practitioner’s Symposium and TECH+ Conference, Monday June 6, 1:55pm – 3:10pm at the Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, NV.

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