Making Virtual Teams Work [REMOTE TEAM BEST PRACTICES]

Summary

This video provides six essential principles for making virtual teams work effectively. Key tips include over-communicating through tools like newsletters and one-on-one meetings, ensuring access to the right technology, and keeping video on during virtual meetings for better connection. Emphasis is placed on showing appreciation for team members' efforts, fostering a shared vision, and engaging in both formal and informal team-building activities. The speaker also offers a downloadable guide for managing virtual projects, making the content highly practical for anyone leading remote teams.

Takeaways

• 💬 Over-communicate: Ensure constant communication by using newsletters, announcements, and private groups for sharing information.
• 📍 Central information hub: Provide a central location for all team information, such as using tools like Teams, SharePoint, or Google project sites.
• 💻 Right technology: Equip teams with fast devices, good cameras, and software that facilitates easy information sharing. Multiple monitors are a bonus for productivity.
• 🌐 Stable internet connection: Ensure that team members have good Wi-Fi or use an ethernet cable to avoid technical issues during virtual meetings.
• 👀 Face-to-face communication: Keep cameras on during virtual meetings to maintain social connection and ensure accountability.
• 🎥 Body language matters: Video presence helps read body language, creating a better communication flow and keeping participants engaged.
• 🙏 Show appreciation: Recognize team members' efforts through shout-outs, emails, or special appreciation exercises to boost morale.
• 🎯 Shared vision: Regularly remind teams of the bigger picture or project goals to keep everyone aligned and connected to the purpose.
• 🤝 Team-building activities: Conduct both formal and informal team-building exercises to strengthen relationships, even in virtual environments.
• 🏆 Virtual project success: For virtual teams, focus on clear project management to avoid failure and ensure success through effective coordination.

Q & A

What is the biggest challenge virtual teams face according to the video?

The biggest challenge virtual teams face is communication, as they miss out on the casual interactions like hallway conversations or pre/post-meeting discussions that happen in an office setting.

What is the recommended solution for improving communication in virtual teams?

The recommended solution is to over-communicate. This includes using electronic newsletters, announcements, and private groups for updates, providing a central location for information, and having more one-on-one meetings.

Why is it important for virtual teams to have the right technology, and what are some key recommendations?

Having the right technology is crucial for seamless collaboration in virtual teams. Key recommendations include providing fast devices with good cameras, using two monitors for efficiency, ensuring reliable IT support, and having strong personal Wi-Fi connections, preferably with an ethernet cable for stability.

Why is it essential to have video on during virtual meetings?

Having video on during virtual meetings is essential because it fosters social connectivity, allows participants to read body language and facial expressions, and keeps people accountable by ensuring they are not distracted by other tasks during the meeting.

What is the importance of appreciation in virtual teams?

Appreciation is important in virtual teams because, in a remote setting, people may not see each other's work directly. Recognizing and acknowledging good work through shout-outs, emails, or appreciation exercises boosts morale and keeps teams connected.

How can you ensure a shared vision in virtual teams?

To ensure a shared vision in virtual teams, it's important to frequently remind team members of the company’s vision and project scope. This helps align everyone’s efforts toward common goals, even when they are working remotely and in isolation.

What is a formal team-building activity suggested in the video?

A formal team-building activity suggested in the video is 'Three Truths and One Lie,' which helps loosen up teams and create fun interaction, especially when new team members are involved.

What is an informal team-building activity that works for well-developed teams?

An informal team-building activity is asking a casual question related to current events or common experiences, such as asking where team members would like to be if they could snap their fingers and go anywhere.

How can virtual teams address IT and connectivity challenges at home?

To address IT and connectivity challenges at home, teams should ensure they have good IT support, and individuals should consider using an ethernet cable for more stable internet connections, especially when Wi-Fi is unreliable.

What does the speaker recommend to prevent interruptions during virtual meetings?

The speaker recommends using door signs or teaching family members to avoid interruptions during virtual meetings, which helps maintain focus and professionalism in a remote work environment.