Here are tips on how you can build successful virtual teams in the workplace:
Successful Virtual Teams in the Workplace
1. Know the people you’re working with.
This is the most important part of having a successful virtual team. Since they’re not there in person, you need to know them on a deeper level. This can be done by getting to know their personality and mannerisms, but also their background and how they relate to one another in the office.
2. Make sure everyone has the same info.
Have a general meeting where everyone can talk about what they are doing so everyone has the same information. This way, you can do your work knowing what everyone else is doing so you can all get together when it’s time to discuss the project.
3. Get out of the house!
Or at least video chat with a group of people who all work on the same project. Because virtual teams don’t see each other in person, it’s very easy to start feeling like you’re left out or like no one is doing their part. Try to get together with them when possible so you can feel like a part of the team.
4. Maintain and grow relationships outside of work.
It’s easy when you’re working on a project and you have so much to do that you forget to maintain relationships with people outside of work. But if you want to build a good virtual team, you need to make sure that you maintain those relationships as well and not just focus on work.
5. Don’t work from home!
Even though this may seem counterintuitive, team members on a virtual team need to get out of their house and go hang out at Starbucks or somewhere else that has free Wi-Fi but isn’t their own house. This way, everyone can interact with one another and have valuable face time that they wouldn’t have if they sat at home all day and worked on the project.
6. Coordinate with everyone
It’s important to make sure that everyone is on the same page and is aware of what’s happening with the project. This way, everyone knows what they have to do and can work together in a coordinated fashion.
7. Have meetings!
Make sure that you have regular meetings so that everyone can be updated on what is going on with the project and can see each other’s progress. You also want to make sure that everyone is getting along. If people aren’t getting along, it can create problems for the team’s productivity.
8. Know your role on the team!
It’s easy when you’re working on a project to feel like you’re not doing enough or that you’re not contributing as much as you should be. But if you don’t know your role and what is expected of you, then how can anyone expect anything from you? Make sure that you know your role before venturing onto a virtual team.