Managing Virtual Teams
Course description
Virtual workers (teleworkers) are typically independent, task-oriented individuals who are driven by the completion of tasks. Molding together independent workers to form an interdependent team in a virtual environment presents unique risks and leadership challenges. This two-day (four-session) course will provide participants with the concepts, tools, techniques and best practices of virtual team development to mitigate the risks and overcome challenges. Utilizing hands-on, team-based exercises, participants will practice facilitation of concepts and tools.
Who should attend
Individuals who will benefit from this course include leaders/managers who have remote teams, project and program managers, sales and other distance managers, and remote team members.
What you will achieve
- Develop best practices of facilitating in virtual environments.
- Determine and apply leadership best practices for teleworkers.
- Build rapport, gain trust, and manage group dynamics.
- Create interdependent teams versus independent teams.
- Effectively leverage technology in the virtual environment.
- Develop project plans to effectively manage communications, scope, schedule, and risk on virtual teams.
- Utilize conflict for growth versus destruction.
- Increase morale through recognition and celebration.
Key Takeaways
- Apply critical success factors and competencies for facilitating virtual team meetings.
- Determine how preparation can prevent key risks of virtual teams.
- Utilize conflict resolution techniques to successfully optimize and manage conflict.
- Secure commitment and buy-in from virtual team members.
What you will learn
Course Outline
Module 0: Foundational Concepts
- Introductions
- Housekeeping
- Course Structure
- Course Learning Objectives
- Course Evaluation (Critical Behaviors)
- Opening Team Exercise (Characteristics of Teleworkers and Value to Organization)
Module 1: Forming a Virtual Team
- Virtual Leadership Styles
- Tuckman Jensen Model of Team Building
- Creating the Launchpad
- Technology
- Kickoff
- Ground Rules
- Goals
- Role Definition (RACI)
- Teambuilding
- Building Trust
Module 2: Planning (Yours, Mine, and Ours)
- Planning Mindset
- Project Plans for Virtual Teams
- Communication Management Plan
- Teleconferencing Best Practices
- Cross-Cultural Communications
- Scope Management Plan
- Avoiding Scope Creep
- Schedule Management Plan
- Risk Management Plan
- Risk Identification and Response
Module 3: Monitoring Progress of Virtual Teams
- Monitoring Progress
- Change Management
- Conflict Management
- Difficult Conversations
- Poor Performers
- Resistance to Change
Module 4: Celebrating Success Virtually
- Theories on Human Motivation
- Rewards and Recognition for Virtual Teams
Module 5: Course Summary and Individual Commitment
- Teach-Back Exercise
- Individual Commitment