Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Foolish Assumptions 3
Icons Used in This Book 4
Where to Go from Here 4
Part 1: Getting Started with Virtual Teams 5
Chapter 1: The Big Picture of Virtual Teams 7
Embracing the New Virtual Team Reality 8
Why virtual teams are rapidly growing 8
Globalization effect 9
Generational worker shift 11
Sorting Out Virtual Team Concepts 11
Understanding the Benefits and Challenges 12
Noting virtual benefits 13
Considering virtual drawbacks 14
Jumping into the Virtual Workforce 16
Having the right environment 16
Maintaining balance and focus 16
Building community 16
Connecting using collaborative technology 17
Appreciating team culture 18
Practicing emotional intelligence 18
Assembling a Virtual Team 18
Managing a Virtual Team 19
Chapter 2: Envisioning Virtual Teams in Your Business 23
Contemplating Using Virtual Teams 24
Thinking about these key factors 25
Embracing the challenges: The five flaws of virtual teams 27
Deciding Whether Virtual Teams Make Good Business Sense 29
Finding a place for virtual teams 30
Counting the real ROI savings 31
Winning the recruitment and retention war 32
Impacting the environment 33
Deciding on Your Plan 34
Defining purpose and goals 34
Figuring out the roles to fill 35
Communicating about virtual team adoption 37
Setting Up Your Virtual Team for Success 38
Having the right resources in place 38
Arranging your remote office 39
Establishing communication expectations 39
Paying Attention to What You Need 40
Size matters: small versus large teams 40
Choosing the right technology 41
Creating Connection and Community 41
Connecting your virtual team to the larger organization 42
Connecting virtual team members to each other 42
Fighting isolationism on your virtual team 43
Chapter 3: Preparing for Your Career as a Virtual Team Member 45
Deciding If Working Virtually Is Right for You 46
Eyeing why virtual work is so attractive 46
Recognizing the personal impacts of working virtually 48
Predicting whether you’ll excel as a virtual team member 50
Assessing your skills for virtual freelance work 52
Proposing Virtual Work to Your Boss and Teammates 52
Preparing your proposal 52
Focusing on the benefits 56
Addressing key concerns 58
Determining Whether You Have a Workspace That Works 60
Working from home 61
Considering hoteling 62
Becoming a globe-trotter 65
Creating Your Remote Worker Brand 66
Reworking your resume 66
Building your portfolio 67
Establishing your online presence 68
Keeping current on the latest communication and collaboration tools 69
Shopping for virtual worker–friendly clientele 70
Focusing on healthy work-life balance 71
Part 2: Building a Strong Virtual Team 73
Chapter 4: Planning Ahead for Your Team’s Success 75
Defining Your Team Purpose 76
Aligning with company vision and values 76
Communicating why your team exists 78
Having clarity around team priorities 80
Considering what you want your team to be known for 81
Choosing a Team Framework 82
Using a framework that builds trust and mutual respect 82
Letting your team decide 85
Establishing Team Goals: What Does Success Look Like? 85
Aligning virtual team goals with company goals 86
Setting goals that are motivating, inspiring, and purposeful 87
Understanding what resources are needed to achieve team goals 88
Determining Team Member Roles 89
Ensuring team members understand their roles and why they’re important 90
Incorporating systems thinking to support how your team works together 91
Chapter 5: Finding and Hiring the Right People 93
Attracting Your Virtual Team Talent 94
Making your business attractive to teleworkers 95
Composing virtual worker–friendly job ads 95
Recruiting 0nline 96
Hiring Based on Skill, Behavior, and Fit 97
Hiring for skill 98
Hiring for behavioral competencies and interests 98
Hiring for cultural fit 100
Seeking Out the Right Qualities in Virtual Team Members 101
Determine whether they’re self-directed 102
Be on the lookout for strong communication skills 102
Specify the importance of engagement 103
Holding the Candidate Interview 105
Preparing for the interview 105
Knowing what and what not to ask 105
Discussing your expectations and theirs up front 107
Evaluating responses 108
Checking Out the Past 109
Reviewing work samples 109
Contacting references 109
Making an Offer 110
Chapter 6: Contracting with Contract Workers 113
Deciding Whether You Need a Contract 114
Differentiating between an employee and independent contractor 114
Figuring out a worker’s status if you still aren’t sure 116
Choosing to Work with an IC: What You Need to Do 116
Checking credentials 117
Keeping records 117
Knowing what to include in a contract 118
Specifying compensation 119
Understanding insurance requirements for ICs 120
Clarifying contractor status 120
Requiring a Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) or Not 121
Navigating the Legalities of Noncompete Agreements 122
Chapter 7: Structuring and Assembling Your Team 123
Organizing Your Team the Smart Way 124
How teams are structured 124
The importance of frameworks 125
Focusing on the Onboarding Process 125
Creating an onboarding process that works for your team 126
Using the buddy system 128
Focusing on the first 90 days 130
Establishing Team Values as Your Bumper Rails 132
Defining your team values 132
Living your team values 135
Identifying Team Traits That Build Cohesiveness 137
Having clear expectations for success 137
Getting real with feedback and accountability 138
Rotating leadership 140
Part 3: Creating and Nurturing a Productive Team Culture 143
Chapter 8: Making Work Culture Considerations 145
Grasping Why Company Culture Is Key 146
Recognizing toxic cultures and the mess they create 147
Identifying a healthy culture and how to build one that thrives 149
Taking Note of Your Existing Organizational Culture 150
Commanding culture 151
Energizing culture 152
Supportive culture 152
Analytical culture 152
Deciding What You Want Your Culture to Be 153
Building and Maintaining the Culture You Want 155
Establishing principles to guide mindset and behavior 155
Putting the right HR policies in place 156
Pinpointing culture champions 157
Noting the Benefits and Challenges of a Cross-Cultural Team 158
Benefits of a cross-cultural team 159
Challenges of a cross-cultural team 160
Chapter 9: Managing Differences in Gender, Generation, and Culture 161
Managing Gender Differences 162
Recognizing gender benefits 162
Eradicating gender bias 163
Connecting with the Generations on Your Team 165
Working with all generations 165
Tapping the power of baby boomers 166
Redirecting Generation X 166
Tuning in to the high-tech Millennial 167
Meeting the new kids on the block: Generation Z 168
Building Your Cultural Intelligence 168
Getting to know your team members 169
Sharing culture norms 170
Practicing cultural sensitivity 171
Offering cross-cultural training 173
Chapter 10: Transitioning from Old-School Manager to Virtual Team Leader 175
Recognizing Which Leadership Style Works Best 176
Examining what makes virtual team leaders succeed 176
Determining if you’re a micromanager, coach, or hands-off manager 179
Comparing control-based and trust-based leadership 181
Playing in Your Sandbox 183
Pushing the boundaries of culture and C-level expectations 183
Knowing when to manage up 184
Recognizing Common Virtual Team Issues 185
Poor communication 186
Lack of clarity, direction, and priorities 186
Loss of team spirit and morale 187
Lack of trust 187
Lack of social interaction 187
Tech issues 188
Cultural clashes 188
Part 4: Getting Your Team Rolling 189
Chapter 11: Establishing Best Practices of Engagement 191
Addressing Personal Disengagement 192
Having a Meaningful Team Purpose 193
Clarifying the why and how team members contribute 194
Identifying values on your virtual team 195
Recognizing virtual values 196
Using Clear Goals and Expectations to Build Engagement 197
Building Your Road Map Together with Team Agreements 198
Understanding the top areas to cover in your team agreements 198
Building your agreement virtually 199
Conducting Virtual Meetings That Have an Impact 201
Ensuring full participation and engagement 202
Managing tech issues 203
Practicing Virtual Meeting Etiquette 205
Chapter 12: Building Trust and Rapport 207
Getting Started: What You Can Do to Build (or Repair) Trust 208
Tallying the Leadership Trust Scorecard 210
Setting the stage for trust to exist 211
Practicing behaviors that build cohesiveness 212
Leveraging Team Member Strengths 215
Discover your own strengths first 216
Recognize the strengths of team members 216
Create opportunity for people to work on a project together 216
Making Respect a Nonnegotiable 217
Act as if you’re all virtual 217
Gain understanding from each other 217
Discourage cliques 217
Address mistakes together 218
Practicing Cultural Appreciation on Global Teams 218
Giving Team Members Face Time 219
Recognizing the importance of “in real life” (IRL) meetings 220
Getting up to speed on IRL best practices 221
Creating a Connection Culture That Transforms Trust 223
Chapter 13: Adopting Best Practices in Communication 225
Identifying Four Components to Transform Your Communications 226
Looking Closer at Text-Only Communication 228
Examining the pros 228
Considering the cons 229
Using text-only communication effectively 230
Providing Consistent and Frequent Feedback 231
Establishing clear expectations 231
Recognizing the importance of two-way feedback and performance discussions 232
Giving feedback: The how-to 233
Shifting focus from individual accountability to team accountability 234
Establishing Best Practices with Communication Agreements 235
Choosing appropriate communication methods 235
Agreeing on expected response times 235
Setting the rules for handling conflicts 238
Choosing a problem-solving model 238
Agreeing on a process for communicating outside the team 239
Putting together your plan 240
Establishing standards for meeting participation 241
Utilizing the DISC Assessment Tool 242
Chapter 14: Measuring Virtual Team and Team Member Success 245
Tracking Virtual Team Success 246
Knowing what to track 247
Recognizing the importance of tools when tracking 247
Using data to coach your team members 248
Measuring Data That Matters 249
Looking at the results from an executive point of view 249
Interpreting performance from a virtual team leader perspective 249
Evaluating performance as a virtual team member 250
Recognizing the Engagement Levels of Your Team Members 251
Chapter 15: Training Your Virtual Team 253
Training during the First 90 Days 254
Assigning a mentor to instill culture 255
Utilizing communication tools for training 255
Sharing information about your company 256
Being organized and following up 256
Keeping Your Team Members on Top of Their Game with Ongoing Training 257
Using online training 258
Paying attention to trends and practicing innovation: VR and AR 259
Using teach-backs to build cohesion and advance understanding and mastery 260
Evaluating training effectiveness 260
Supporting team members who are struggling 262
Tackling technology issues 263
Training Your Veteran Team Members 263
Chapter 16: Checking All Things Technology: What You Need to Know 265
Assessing the Right Fit for Your Team 266
Focus on the problem, not the technology 266
Avoid jumping on the latest trendy tool 267
Make a checklist of features 268
Go with tools that your team loves 269
Include your IT department or tech guru in your decision 269
Choosing Only the Essential Tools Your Team Needs 271
Collaboration suites 272
Project management tracking 272
Workflow management and time tracking 273
Shared calendars 273
Meeting tools 274
Flash polling 274
Brainstorming 274
Social media 275
File sharing 275
Cloud collaboration 275
Mobile options 276
Videoconferencing 276
Chat and instant messaging 276
Training Team Members for Success 276
Using mentoring to help virtual team members get up to speed 277
Introducing tools strategically 277
Chapter 17: Rolling with the Changes 281
Adjusting to Shifts in Team Membership 281
Boosting emotional resilience 282
Using consistent communication to get on track quickly 283
Regrouping around team goals, values, and priorities 284
Building Relationships as a New Leader 284
Onboarding strategies for a new leader 285
Sharing cultural norms and styles 285
Getting on Board with a New Team Goal 286
Discussing the why 286
Acknowledging successes and letting go 287
Grounding Your Team after a Reorganization 287
Recognizing the stages of change 288
Practicing empathy and understanding 288
Part 5: Best Practices in Managing Your Virtual Team 293
Chapter 18: Leading by Example 295
Building a Connection Culture 295
Being a leader your team wants to follow 296
Getting to know your team members 296
Reaching out and building rapport 298
Focusing On a Healthy Lifestyle 300
Staying healthy when working virtually 300
Starting your team wellness 301
Maintaining boundaries 302
Discovering Your Legacy 303
Figuring out your legacy 303
Leading authentically: The how-to 304
Chapter 19: Understanding What Drives Motivation 305
Differentiating between Engaged and Passionate Team Members 306
Creating a Passionate Team 307
The need to be respected 307
The need to learn and grow 308
The need to be an insider 309
The need to do meaningful work 310
The need to be on a winning team 310
Using Positive Psychology to Create a Motivational Team Environment 312
Understanding what really motivates people 312
Using recognition as a powerful motivational technique 314
Chapter 20: Managing Workflow and Execution 319
Starting Off on the Right Foot 319
Clarifying How Work Flows through the Team 320
Deciding on meeting formats to stay up-to-date 321
Establishing communication guidelines 322
Choosing the right collaborative tracking tools for your team 322
Delegating Effectively to Your Virtual Team 322
Eyeing the benefits to letting go 323
Understanding why delegation fails: Leaders don’t let go 323
Trusting in the process 324
Holding team members accountable for deliverables 325
Knowing How to Communicate Externally
Regarding Team Progress 325
Part 6: The Part of Tens 327
Chapter 21: Ten Predictors of Virtual Team Success 329
Having the Right Technology 329
Hiring the Right Team Leader 330
Hiring the Right Team Members 330
Establishing Clear Team Vision and Values 331
Aligning Team Goals with Company Goals 331
Having a Solid Team Agreement in Place 332
Using a Communication Strategy 332
Agreeing on a Process for Team Workflow 333
Using an Onboarding Strategy for New Team Members 333
Actively Managing Executive Perceptions 333
Chapter 22: Ten Signs Your Organization Is Ready for Virtual Teams 335
Having Champions on the Executive Team 336
Having Empowered Leaders 336
Leveraging a Supportive Culture 336
Willing to Invest in Technology 337
Addressing Issues Early 337
Being Prepared for the Logistical Set Up 337
Keeping the Team Focused 338
Using an Onboarding Process 338
Training Virtual Team Leaders 338
Having a Clear Idea of Roles and Responsibilities 339
Index 341
