Virtual Teams
Virtual Teams
HiTech/HiTouch Strategies for Success
Today, nearly every organization is getting important work done by people on virtual teams--where employees and their managers are spread around the country and even around the world. Virtual teams pose new and exciting challenges for leaders. In our work with organizations, we share practical tools and strategies that will help virtual teams create and sustain high productivity, commitment and motivation.
VIRTUAL TEAM MODEL
We believe that there are several factors that virtual teams must put in place in order to be successful. By having honest and practical conversations about these factors, the team can achieve real progress.
Our training, facilitation and coaching with virtual teams is guided by this model. Click Here to download a copy of the Model.
SERVICES
- Team Assessment: identify factors affecting productivity , communication and relationships
- Facilitation: online and face-to-face sessions to help team build skills and accomplish tasks
- Action Learning: facilitated problem solving sessions
- Training: communication, problem-solving and decision-making
- Coaching and Shadowing: conducted virtually and face-to-face with the whole team or the team leader
RECENT PROJECTS
Recently, we designed and facilitated a strategic planning and teambuilding retreat for a globally dispersed technology team that is responsible for strategic technology infrastructure initiatives for a major global publishing firm. During the retreat, the team accomplished a number of key outcomes including:
- Creating a shared understanding of their new vision and mission
- Clarifying roles and responsibilities in the team
- Clarifying roles with other IT groups and creating shared goals
- Developing an action plan for improving communications and role boundaries with other groups inside and outside IT
- Enhancing relationships with each other and creating a collaborative team climate
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH
Carole Lyles Shaw was contracted by Loyola University in Maryland to design one of the first MBA level courses on virtual teams.
In Spring 2012, she will conduct a research project on emerging best practices in leading virtual teams.
ARTICLES AND CHECKLISTS
Carole Shaw recently published an article on how leaders can create successful virtual teams. Click here to download a pdf copy.
Individual behavior is a critical part of team effectiveness and it can be improved by setting intentions and creating a concrete action plan. Here's an exercise from one of our programs that can be used for self-coaching or a group discussion. Click Here!
Virtual meetings are the way that teams get work done. Here’s a check list to help make the meetings more efficient.