Top 5 Mistakes of Virtual Team Leaders -- lessons from Shaun Callahan, Chief Involvement Officer at Groupsite.com
December 01, 2009
QUESTION: Why does a Virtual Team exist?
ANSWER: To get stuff done!
The problem is that too many Virtual Teams have difficulty getting stuff done.
What to do?
Meet Shaun Callahan. He's the Chief Involvement Officer at Groupsite.com
Groupsite.com empowers groups of all types and sizes to communicate, share and network - the universal requirements for making things happen within groups. Groupsite.com empowers groups to achieve this through social collaboration quickly, easily, securely and at little or no cost.
Shaun will be one of many great guest speakers during next week's Virtual Team Leader VIRTUAL CONFERENCE. The program is FREE for IATF members but you must register. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Shaun has worked with organizations of all types to help them get stuff done. Here's some of his advice for leaders of Virtual Teams:
Top 5 Mistakes of Virtual Team Leaders
MISTAKE # 1: Assuming online collaboration is better than face-to face. It's not.
Avoid this by helping everyone upload their photos and encourage personal interaction (private message or phone) that reminds members that they are sharing ideas with real people, not just sharing ideas. Also, use real names only, no nicknames or avatars.MISTAKE # 2: Assuming everybody wants to share everything with everyone. They may not.
Avoid this by allowing members to interact through private channels as well as in subgroups if they wish.MISTAKE # 3: Assuming everyone will hit the ground running on day one. Progressive engagement wins the day. Crawl, walk, run.
Avoid this by not asking members to do everything at once. Start by simply asking them to upload their photo. Then maybe complete their bio. Eventually, they will post their first question or reply with their first answer post.MISTAKE # 4: Assuming your group agenda is the only agenda. Even in groups with a clear purpose, each member has their own specific needs that need to be met individually as well.
Avoid this by encouraging members to post their own personal objectives. As a group leader you should be aware of these objectives and realize that some may best be met by resources outside the group as well as within.MISTAKE # 5: Typing with emotion of the moment. You may not feel the same way by the time another group member reads your post.
Avoid this by re-reading all posts (and emails) before you hit send.
This event is part of the IATF Virtual Team Leader VIRTUAL CONFERENCE held December 8-11, 2009. This event is designed for all who are new to leading Virtual Teams. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Call Details
TITLE
Engaging Your Virtual Team - Top 5 Lessons
DATE
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
TIME
Starts at 3 pm Eastern (NY City time zone)
runs for 60 minutes
PRESENTERS
Shaun Callahan, Chief Involvement Officer at Groupsite.com
Tom Heck, President & Founder of the IATF
WHAT TO EXPECT
Come to the call ready to participate in small group discussions, share ideas and resources, ask questions, answer quick polls, and be fully engaged as we put the newest distance learning telephone conferencing technology to use!
RECORDING
This recording is now available in the IATF Virtual Team Leader Home Study Course.
COST
Free for all subscribers of the IATF free e-newsletter.
REGISTER HERE
CLICK HERE to register. Registration closed.
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