Leading virtual teams

Peter du ToitI'm the founder of FutureWork IQ where I spend my time assisting businesses to improve their climate literacy so as to understand the projected impacts from the expanding climate crisis and how to adapt their workplaces in the face of these impacts.

Last year to ensure there were no gaps in the guidance we were giving companies on how to transition from a brick-and-mortar workplace to a virtual one, I completed this three month certification programme.

The programme consisted of 5 courses that took a deep dive into:

1️⃣ Building High-Performing Virtual Teams
2️⃣ Launching Virtual Team Projects
3️⃣ Virtual Communication, Constructive Conflict and Collaboration
4️⃣ Decision-Making and Accountability
5️⃣ Diversity and Cross-Cultural Teams

I was again struck by how complex creating a high-performance virtual team is.

As I always say to leadership teams we work with: A workplace that enables successful remote working must be DESIGNED. This does not just happen. I also always recommend going slow to go fast.

Unfortunately the current crisis has not given many businesses the luxury of going slow. However, that does not mean that you shouldn’t put in that design work now. This is going to be a protracted crisis not just from a health perspective but also economically. Making the decision to do remote work well will be a VERY smart business move.

(Do reach out if you are wanting to fill in the gaps of your sudden transition into remote work.)