Leadership Lessons Blog

Managing Virtual Teams

  

 delicious  

  

 Offering employees virtual work options can be a way for organizations to retain valuable employees and, in some cases, to boost employee productivity.   Technology continues to evolve and improved access to internet connections has made working remotely a viable option.  

However, as virtual and flexible work options continue to evolve managers are struggling with how to formalize work policies to make remote management successful. 

The University of Central Florida have researched and identified effective practices for managing virtual teams.  While these strategies could apply to practically every team, the challenge managers face is how to implement them effectively in a virtual work environment.  Professor Salas had this to say, "Leaders of virtual team must possess strong written and oral communication skills.  They also must understand that managing such teams requires conscious and concentrated effort." 

Here are management tips that come out of the University of Central Florida Study.

• Establish team operating procedures:  Set expectations and objectives, and define team members' roles and responsibilities during an initial meeting. 
• Foster a team mentality:  Set goals that require teamwork.  Specific, challenging and attainable goals will motivate virtual team members to work together and build strong and productive relationships.
• Communicate:  Encourage team members to communicate with each other.  Leaders must provide regular work updates and require the same from the team.
• Develop communication and information exchange protocols:  Communication must be structures and professional.  Avoid haphazard communication by proofreading messages and double-checking recipient lists.
• Track progress and productivity:  Improved software tools and virtual private networks give leaders effective and accurate ways to track information.
• Provide constructive team and individual feedback early and often.
• Balance challenges and duties:  off-hours meetings or business travel--equally among team members.
• Recognize and reward positive individual and team performance. 

By following these simple tips your virtual management challenges become less daunting.