Virtual teams are increasing as the world’s workforce is changing and becoming more connected thanks to the advance of the internet.
While there are many advantages to belonging to a virtual team, it raises the question of how modern leaders will step up to the challenge of managing them, so they can ensure that all business results are measurable. Below are six tips that virtual leaders can follow to make their team great…
1. Know your team and their strengths
Accept that everyone has different ideas and that’s what makes your team so unique. Remember that you’re all on the same team and you all have the same end vision, but to succeed you need to play to different characters’ strengths and that means acknowledging each other’s opinions, no matter how crazy or impossible they may first appear.
2. Be disciplined
A leader must ‘show up’ to work every day. Working in a virtual environment can be challenging and needs a certain level of discipline and focus from all team members; especially you. Leading from the front and by example may seem old fashioned. It isn’t; because it works and speaks into some basic human traits.
3. Stay connected
As virtual teams don’t get to see each other every day, it’s essential that they stay in touch daily over email, Skype, mobile phone or via virtual conference meetings. This is important as conferring with virtual colleagues means that you can stay updated on the latest project developments. The problem is that when communicating virtually, it’s possible to become less influential, so it’s good to see each other face to face or via web cam.
4. Be clear
Wires can be crossed and it’s easy for messages to become misconstrued when managing a virtual team who; may have members based all across the world. This goes back to the first point about knowing your team. Having a clear message that is communicated in different media will go a long way towards being better understood – despite any language barriers.
5. Share your vision
Of all the leadership skills to develop, vision is perhaps the most important. Having a vision of the future or a definite business goal makes it easier for the whole team to know what they’re working towards. Vision can also inspire action and encourage a virtual team to work harder to turn it from a dream into a reality.
6. Build trust
Trust is becoming one of the most important factors when it comes to building productive companies across the globe and it starts with you as a manager.
As virtual teams often work at home or in individual offices worldwide, it can be difficult to build trust between team members when they can’t read each other’s body language, or when the message becomes confused because of cultural differences.
Trust is built on reliability and clear communication as a start. As a manager you are in control of this with your virtual team. Develop this area of your management tool box and you will be surprised at the results.
Until next time,
Julia
