How to breathe life into your virtual team

I never expected that running a virtual business would become a norm in our society. With COVID shutting many businesses down and forcing many people out of jobs, we were left to literally figure it out. However, what came of that was quite a few amazing businesses, many of which were created by women that are still thriving to this day. When forced, we finally learned to bet on ourselves and realized that the traditional 9 to 5 was a pipe dream we no longer had to subscribe to.

Here we are 3 years later with virtual businesses and virtual teams. While there are so many pros to this, there are also a few cons. One of which is forming a solid and unified virtual team when there is no longer a shared personal space. I have heard many times how people feel disconnected or lack a sense of belonging when it comes to their team. Amazingly enough with the right mindset and approach, it is extremely possible to create a team that is productive, efficient, and effective. Here are some tips for us women wearing the CEO hat on how to create a successful virtual team.

First, set clear expectations and objectives for your team. Make sure that everyone understands their individual roles and responsibilities, as well as the overarching goal of the team. Be sure to communicate the company’s vision and values, and emphasize the importance of collaboration and teamwork.

Second, build trust within your team. This is especially important in virtual teams since there is a lack of face-to-face interaction. Make sure that you are proactive in fostering relationships among team members. Make time for one on one's and virtual happy hours to just get to know one another. Ask questions, provide support, and encourage open dialogue and feedback. Additionally, ensure that your team has the resources they need to succeed.

Third, encourage creativity and innovation. Encourage your team to think outside the box and come up with new ideas and solutions. Make sure that they have the freedom to explore and experiment without fear of failure. This will allow them to be more creative and productive.

Fourth, focus on communication. Communication is key to any successful team, but even more so in a virtual team. Make sure that everyone is staying connected and communicating regularly. Set standard response times or office hours so you can have an idea of when the entire team is online. Or ask them to give you their office hours so you are aware of when they are available and when they are not. Create a shared team calendar for them to put their out-of-office time, especially if they will be gone for several days at a time. Utilize video conferencing tools and other methods to stay connected and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Finally, stay organized. Running a business takes a lot so it is important to stay organized with all the things. Create a plan of action for the team and track progress. Utilize project management tools to keep everyone on track and accountable. By following these tips and with the right mindset, we can absolutely create more successful virtual teams that are productive, efficient, and effective.