Today's post focuses on several faux-pas or mistakes virtual team leaders can fall into. Consider these:
* Assuming silence from team members means everything is ok;
* Not taking time to reach out to other stakeholders and leaders who support your virtual or remote team members. Matrix management is very common in virtual and remote leadership situations. Who else is involved in supporting your team members on a regular basis?
* Assuming everyone is clear on the entire team's priorities. Given the broad focus with virtual teams, it is even more important to communicate core team priorities, giving each team member time to consider how their work impacts the team's priorities (or not!)
* Not taking time to understand the priorities, pressures and opportunities of each team member's portfolio. Taking time to really understand each person's context, and being open to listening and learning about this, is critical to success for virtual team leaders. Assumptions which may not be founded are dangerous!
* Assuming things are not changing as quickly in each location as it is for you. One of the challenges of team work today is how rapidly everything is changing. What feedback loops have you put into place so your team members can keep you, and the rest of the team updated?
* Not connecting new team members with others - Just as in a face-to-face team connections, relationships and networks are critical. help newer team members connect with a variety of different resources. Virtual team members may need to be more proactive in reaching out to their network. Ask them who they think they may need/want to connect with to be most effective.
There are many other faux-pas that are possible - stay tuned for more tomorrow!
Best wishes,
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
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Phone: (416)996-8326