Today's post is about four tips for virtual teaming:
1. Know your people - it is really important to get to know your people in the virtual environment, just as it is in the face to face environment. One on ones - as showcased in the Teams365 comic yesterday illustrates how a quick five minute touch base with each team member is key in building connection. What projects do people have on the go? What support do they need? What space do they need to brainstorm/strategize/talk things through? This last question is often very relevant in the virtual environment especially if team members are working in geographic isolation.
2. Stay Connected in Ways that Work - With today's multi-generational workforce, different workers will have different preferences for connection - a quick phone call, a skype chat, Face time, regular emails or even texts. What are ways that you can stay connected.
What's preferred by each of your team members?
3. Know what your team members appreciate - it is really important to actively solicit feedback from your team member to find out what is working, and what is not with your support. What do your team members appreciate? A quick, unexpected call? Regularly scheduled meetings on skype? What type of feedback do they want? What type of support do they expect?
4. Rotate - Rotating is so important, particularly if you have a geographically dispersed team over distance or timezones. Is one person always having to compromise in terms of meeting early/late, or having to travel the longest distance. What could rotation look like for your team?
Jennifer Britton, MES, CPT, PCC
Potentials Realized
Author of From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013) and Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
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