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