In recent years, much has been written about the benefits and challenges of remote and hybrid work. Approximately 16% of companies worldwide are fully remote, and nearly a third of employees work in hybrid environments. Only 18% of Fortune 500 companies mandate full-time office presence, with many foreseeing a continued rise in remote and hybrid work.
These shifts pose both challenges and opportunities for leaders and teams. While expanding access to talent, they also necessitate a reset of norms and work processes, impacting communication and collaboration.
Contextual disparities among team members, stemming from diverse locations, affect shared assumptions about the operating environment. Leaders may find it challenging to coach and develop team members without direct observation, exacerbated by reduced non-verbal cues and cultural differences.
While not new, these challenges are amplified with the rise of virtual teams, emphasizing the importance of addressing foundational issues like shared context and team norms. Establishing an environment for healthy team conflict and disagreement becomes even more crucial for leaders aiming to foster high-performing virtual teams.
Leading virtual or hybrid teams demands continuous attention to topics like establishing norms, psychological safety, and gaining buy-in. Early warning signs of team issues can often be overlooked, making it essential for leaders to invest additional effort and attention, given the longer time required to rectify virtual team problems compared to co-located teams.
The benefits of virtual teams can outweigh challenges if leaders commit the necessary time and effort. When managed effectively, virtual teams can match or surpass the performance of co-located teams. As the trend towards virtual teams is expected to persist or grow, leaders must establish a solid foundation for success through assessing and benchmarking team effectiveness.
If you lead virtual teams and want to know more about the 8 key elements of high-performing teams, DM me “TQ” for a copy of the whitepaper TQ: The Elusive Factor Behind Successful Teams (Curphy & Nilsen).
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