CONSIDERATIONS FOR VIRTUAL TEAM LEADERS

By Vic Gerami

VIRTUAL COMMUNICATIONDaniel Stover, Founder & CEO, Ensight Partners

  • Emotional intelligence, authenticity and conflict-resolution skills are essential.
  • Be explicit about how the team should communicate (communication charter).
  • Use video for all meetings. Stick to one platform if possible.
  • Create a predictable rhythm for check-ins and updates.

MAINTAINING CULTURE, CONNECTION, AND MOTIVATION

  • Pay attention to emotions: embrace them, inquire about them, coach on them.
  • Create fun communication channels to serve as the virtual water cooler: interesting facts, cute photos and positive content unrelated to work.
  • Short, personal recap videos from projects or meetings.
  • Virtual coffee and tea (use video, 5-15 minutes).
  • Have fun competitions: quizzes, photo contests. Winner gets a digital gift card.
  • Personal facts channel: ice-breakers, share your work from home (WFH) space.
  • Video fireside chat with leader(s) for updates.
  • Share leadership: have enthusiastic team members take lead.

CREATING ACCOUNTABILITY: DO’S AND DON’TS

DO

  • Communicate with emotional intelligence.
  • Foster quality relationships with your team.
  • Include team in decision making and problem solving.
  • Clarify tasks and processes, weekly goals and roles.
  • Have a guideline for working hours vs. availability.
  • Create transparency: everyone post their daily goals.
  • Support your team with regular check-ins.
  • Measure success on results, not time worked.

     DON'T

  • Fail to communicate and confirm who will take
  • ownership of each objective.
  • Agree on action, without a completion date and progress check-points.
  • Wait until due date to check on progress/results.
  • Ignore missed commitments, unresponsiveness, or social isolation.
  • Underestimate trust issues or negative emotions.
  • Forget 1-on-1 video check-ins.
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