the virtual manager may 2009
DESCRIPTION
Leadership and Effectiveness in a V irtual WorkplaceTRANSCRIPT
[email protected] – May 2009
The Virtual Manager
Presented by
Salvatore Gigante - Leadership and Effectiveness in Virtual Workplace
2 [email protected] – May 2009
Today’s Objectives
• Identify the challenges to managing from a distance
• Assess self in key skill areas used to manage from a distance
• Identify key distance leadership and management skills
• Develop strategies to allow team to be more effective in a virtual environment
What are the challenges of What are the challenges of managing from a distance?managing from a distance?
How do these challenges differ How do these challenges differ from managing a team locally?from managing a team locally?
5 [email protected] – May 2009
Managing Local vs. Virtual Teams
Local• Face to face• Monitor
performance and actions
• Easy access• Management by
walking around
Virtual• Remote
communications• More difficult to
monitor person’s actions
• Track them down• Motivate at a
distance
6 [email protected] – May 2009
Effective Leadership and Management Skills• Providing Strategic Direction• Communication (staying connected)• Building Relationships• Setting Objective Goals• Coaching• Motivating• Providing Development Opportunities• Providing Feedback and Support• Managing by results, not activity
How would you describe your How would you describe your current management style?current management style?
• Very direct with a "telling" style
• A coaching style
• A controlling style
• A wait and see style, allowing employees to "figure it out"
Do you have written measurable Do you have written measurable goals for each employee?goals for each employee?
Do you meet regularly with each Do you meet regularly with each employee in person to discuss employee in person to discuss what and how they are doing?what and how they are doing?
Do you do a formal orientation for Do you do a formal orientation for new employees to the team?new employees to the team?
Do you formally work to build Do you formally work to build team cohesiveness?team cohesiveness?
How do you approach a How do you approach a performance issue with a remote performance issue with a remote
employee?employee?• Allow the employee some time to work out the
issue before addressing• Address immediately by letting the employee
know what is expected of them• Discuss the situation with the employee as soon
as you can meet in-person• Address the situation as soon as you are aware of
it through two-way discussion
13 [email protected] – May 2009
Tools for Virtual Teams
• Telephone• Scheduled Team Conference Calls (Weekly)• E-mails• IM – Instant Messaging• Live Meeting Virtual Learning software• Videoconference• Face to Face Visits• One on One Telephone Conference
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What Questions or Situations do you Have?
• Do you have a situation you would like to share?
• Do you have any questions?
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Action Planning
• What are you currently doing well?
• What can you do better?
• Specifically, what do you need to do to improve your virtual leadership skills?
• By when will you make these improvements?
17 [email protected] – May 2009
Virtual Team Leadership Tips
1. Take pictures of the team and post them on a site that is available to the entire team.
2. Don’t always handout project to the people who offices near you, be sure to distribute evenly amongst the team.
3. Never deliver bad new or negative feedback by e-mail.4. Watch your tone in your e-mail.5. Be sensitive to the time zone of your virtual team.6. If you virtual team is in another country, be sure to
accommodate them by having calls on their time zone
18 [email protected] – May 2009
A Final Thought….Here are the 4 critical dimensions of
Communication• Build Trust – The core of communication is
developing trust.• Share Knowledge – Knowledge is power. Equip
your team with as much knowledge as you can.• Provide Feedback – People need to know where
they stand.• Walk the Talk – We have to walk our talk
personally and professionally.
[email protected] – May 2009
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Resources• The Distance Manager by Kimball Fisher, Maureen Fisher
• Quick Guide to Interaction Styles and Working Remotely: Strategies for Leading and Working in Virtual Teams by Susan K. Gerke, Linda V. Berens
• http://www.qualitydigest.com/sept00/html/teams.html
• http://www.trg-inc.com/LVTeams1.pdf
• http://www.odnetwork.org/odponline/vol33n1/dispersed.html
• http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Managing+Remote+Employee&btnG=Google+Search