“Our separation from each other is an optical illusion of consciousness.” ~ Albert Einstein.
Gone are the days when everyone did the same things day in and day out or all worked under the same roof. Rapid innovations in technology and globalization have enabled companies of all sizes to reach across borders and do business with customers all over the world. As the wealth of new markets and consumers continues to create millions of new jobs worldwide, virtual workplaces have increasingly become the norm.
The appeal of virtual teams made up of people in different geographical locations around the globe, is clear. As more companies embrace virtual workplaces, we are beginning to see many trends including increased job specialization, more cultural diversity, and the use of technology to communicate, collaborate and coordinate.
A New York Times survey found that virtual workers spend 9.5 percent more time working than their office-based counterparts and are 13 percent more productive. Besides, virtual workplaces allow employers to have better access to top talent, achieve lower overheads and contribute to the bottom line positively. Despite these advantages, virtual working can pose challenges for managers leading virtual teams. Here are some things to remember if your organization is adopting a virtual workplace.
1. Hire the right people.
Hiring the right talent who can get the job done with minimal supervision is essential to job success in a virtual workplace. Some employees might not be able to resist the pull of a mid-day Netflix binge, while others may prefer a more hands-on leadership approach to thrive in this kind of environment. While it is essential to assess technical skills, it is also important to conduct strategic, behavioral interviews that can help you evaluate a candidate’s communication skills, emotional intelligence, resilience, ability to work independently, and his/ her fit within the organization.
2. Set clear expectations.
Being clear about your expectations up front will help prospective applicants figure out whether the job is a right fit for them. Having specific guidelines for virtual collaboration minimizes misunderstandings, reduces uncertainty and builds trust in teams, thereby increasing productivity. For instance, establish a common purpose, agree on response time, follow up with emails and discourage employees from multitasking during virtual meetings.
3. Train your employees.
Go beyond the short e-mail and conference-call to introduce new employees to a virtual team, and build resources that make onboarding and training easier. Consider creating an internal wiki, a video handbook and a social media group where employees can share best practices and tips. Make regular assessments to train your virtual talent in skills they are lacking and encourage team members to coach one another.
4. Use the right technology.
Using the right tools can ultimately make or break any virtual workplace assignment. Consider online tools for project management, internal communications and discussions. Make use of collaboration platforms such as Skype and Google Hangouts for conference calling and one-on-one conversations that require screen sharing.
5. Keep an open line of communication.
Set aside time to connect with virtual employees on a daily basis in their first two weeks and establish a pattern of staying in touch. Encourage new hires to talk about their backgrounds and ambitions, and give video tours of their workspaces. Consider taking a few minutes at the beginning of virtual meetings for everyone to share a recent professional success or some personal news. Encourage team members to be frank with one another and to give and receive feedback constructively. By continuously motivating your teams, celebrating milestones and rewarding employees who exceed expectations, you can build trust, sustain momentum and bring camaraderie back into the workplace.
Leading in a virtual workplace differs drastically from leading dispersed teams within the same culture and country, but it is most definitely something you can learn. With our five tips in mind, you are well on your way towards maximizing the collaboration, engagement and productivity of your virtual teams.
Have you faced any challenges leading in a virtual workplace? What else do you think is crucial for successfully managing virtual teams? Contribute to the conversation below.
