Out of Sight, Out of Mind?The Challenge of Distance Management

The Facts

65% of GALA members have 10+ staff

2/3 have people management responsibility

Let’s hear it from you

Who works for a company with more than 1 office?

Who manages remote team members?

If you keep talking about distance as an issue,

it will become an issue.

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5Myths about Virtual Teams

Myth 1

It is more difficult to build trust

Trust

Traditional ways do not apply Work-related cues to build trust:

• Responsiveness• Reliability• Integrity

Checklist

1. Set clear deadlines and commit to them

2. Clarify expectations on responding to requests

3. If you do not say it, you leave room for interpretation

4. Use appropriate communication channels

5. Monitor the communication and act QUICKLY

Myth 2

It is more difficult to build synergy

Synergy

People need to be in same room to make cooperation happen

The water cooler breakthrough… impossible to make it happen virtually?

Checklist

1.Define your common goal2.Create special virtual team

projects3.Innovate! Use technology

(Skype, Yammer, Podio, Asana)4.Pick your main channel

Myth 3

Team members feel more isolated and detached

Isolation

It only takes 15 meters to create a feeling of distance

Offices in different places don’t connect

Remote workers will never work out

Checklist

1.Face-to-face time and events

2.Be conscious not to omit remote workers:• Decision-making• Training• Career development

Myth 4

Interpersonal skills do not matter

Interpersonal skills

Technical skills alone are enough

No need high emotional intelligence:• Manage time and productivity• Take responsibility• Control mood/emotions• Build support network

Checklist

1.Go deeper on recruitment2.Apply constant feedback

loop3.Foster initiative

Myth 5

You cannot measure and reward performance

Performance

You can’t measure performance

You can’t verify people are doing the “right” thing

It’s harder to assist employees who struggle

How do you inspire?

Checklist

1.Listen!2.Engage all employees3.Create teams across

geographies and functions4.Be a source of inspiration

It doesn’t always go according to plan…