Team Success is Everyone’s Job
Recently I participated in a virtual team kick-off meeting. It was a wonderful event for those who attended. But as we look at the project going forward, I wonder how we will build a sense of team and a high functioning team in this virtual space. I started to list my concerns and the possible actions I (and the team) could take to set ourselves up for success.
- 1. Concern: people don’t show up for meetings
- Action: share the responsibility of coordinating the meeting.
- 2. Concern: people don’t participate.
- Action: have (or build) strong facilitation skills to draw out and engage everyone.
- 3. Concern: full team events happen infrequently
- Action: create a meeting schedule at kick-off and issue appointments to block calendars.
- 4. Concern: building trust
- Action: consistency builds familiarity which builds trust, do what you say you’ll do!
- 5. Concern: People don’t deliver
- Action: zero tolerance. Agree up front to accountable and consequences.
Bottom line: Set expectations up front. Keep to those expectations. Adjust expectations as a group. Stay in touch!
Team success is everyone’s responsibility. Don’t expect the team leader to shoulder all of the burden. YOU are just as responsible.
Challenge: What are your concerns when working on a virtual team? List your concerns AND list the action you will take to address these concerns. Share them in the comments!
your executive coach,
