What are the best ways to hold virtual team members accountable?

Managing a virtual team can be challenging, especially when it comes to ensuring that everyone is on the same page and delivering results. How do you hold your remote workers accountable without micromanaging them or compromising their autonomy and trust? Here are some best practices to follow.

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1 Set clear expectations

The first step to holding your virtual team members accountable is to communicate clearly and consistently what you expect from them. This includes defining the scope, goals, deadlines, and quality standards of each project or task, as well as the roles and responsibilities of each team member. You should also establish how you will monitor, measure, and provide feedback on their performance, and what consequences or rewards they will face if they meet or miss their targets. Make sure you document and share these expectations with your team, and review them regularly to avoid confusion or misunderstanding.

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Julio Cunha

CEO na EDUBRIX | Desenvolvimento de Novos Negócios, Gestão de Relacionamento com o Cliente
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A falta de convivência presencial penaliza principalmente os profissionais mais jovens e os que estão iniciando sua jornada na empresa. Sem a possibilidade de observar comportamentos em tempo real, como no trabalho presencial, a liderança precisa "voar por instrumentos". Além de clarificar objetivos e como alcançá-los, é muito importante um contato contínuo com estes profissionais para estimular que tirem todas as dúvidas, e realmente saibam se estão indo no caminho correto.

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2 Use the right tools

The second step to holding your virtual team members accountable is to use the right tools to facilitate collaboration, communication, and tracking. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose from various online platforms and apps that can help you manage your projects, share files, chat, video call, schedule meetings, create reports, and more. Some examples are Asana, Slack, Zoom, Google Drive, and Trello. The key is to find the tools that work best for your team and use them consistently and effectively. You should also train your team on how to use them properly and securely, and set some ground rules on when and how to communicate.

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3 Empower your team

The third step to holding your virtual team members accountable is to empower them to take ownership and initiative of their work. This means giving them the autonomy, flexibility, and resources they need to complete their tasks, as well as the opportunity to contribute their ideas, feedback, and solutions. You should also encourage them to set their own goals and action plans, and to self-evaluate and report on their progress and challenges. By empowering your team, you can foster a culture of trust, responsibility, and engagement, and motivate them to perform better.

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Julio Cunha

CEO na EDUBRIX | Desenvolvimento de Novos Negócios, Gestão de Relacionamento com o Cliente
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A gestão de processos nunca foi tão importante. Quem ainda personaliza como as coisas são feitas - "resolva isso com fulano" - sabe como é difícil quando se trabalha 100% remoto. Tudo fica parado até que o dono do processo veja a mensagem, tome uma decisão e forneça um feedback. Isto acaba com a autonomia de qualquer time.

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4 Provide feedback and recognition

The fourth step to holding your virtual team members accountable is to provide them with regular and constructive feedback and recognition. Feedback is essential to help your team improve their skills, learn from their mistakes, and celebrate their achievements. You should also recognize and reward your team for their efforts, contributions, and outcomes, and show them how their work aligns with the overall vision and goals of the organization. You can use various methods to provide feedback and recognition, such as email, phone, video call, chat, or online surveys. The important thing is to be specific, timely, honest, and positive.

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5 Address issues promptly

The fifth step to holding your virtual team members accountable is to address any issues or problems that arise promptly and effectively. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your team may face challenges such as miscommunication, conflict, poor performance, or missed deadlines. When this happens, you should not ignore or avoid them, but rather confront them head-on and find solutions. You should also be fair, respectful, and supportive of your team, and avoid blaming or criticizing them. Instead, you should focus on the facts, the impact, and the actions needed to resolve the issues and prevent them from recurring.

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6 Build relationships

The sixth and final step to holding your virtual team members accountable is to build strong and positive relationships with them. Working remotely can be isolating and stressful, and can affect your team's morale, productivity, and satisfaction. Therefore, you should make an effort to connect with your team on a personal and professional level, and create a sense of belonging and camaraderie. You can do this by checking in regularly, showing interest and empathy, sharing stories and experiences, celebrating milestones and events, and having fun and informal interactions. By building relationships, you can enhance your team's trust, loyalty, and commitment, and make them more accountable to you and each other.

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Julio Cunha

CEO na EDUBRIX | Desenvolvimento de Novos Negócios, Gestão de Relacionamento com o Cliente
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O principal obstáculo para a maioria dos líderes é tem sido a escassez de tempo para liderar. Criar empatia, conectar-se num nível pessoal, é algo que demanda este ativo cada vez mais valioso, que é o tempo. Revise seu número de liderados, se você lidera mais de 10 pessoas, cuidado. Pense em criar estruturas mais fluídas como "squads" que podem ter lideranças informais que reportam a você.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Paula J. Zimmerman

I Help CEOs Turn HR Mess Into Business Success • Organizing Workplace Chaos Since 2000 • The Winston Wolfe Of HR
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Physical proximity doesn't change what makes a good manager. Holding virtual team members accountable requires the same management skills as any other team member. How you execute those things may be different. For example, you may need to be more intentional about scheduling time to connect with others if you don't see them when you walk down the hall. Be intentional in how you manage all of your team members to ensure you're - building relationships - setting expectations, and - having regular conversations about performance and progress

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What are the best ways to hold virtual team members accountable?

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1 Set clear expectations

2 Use the right tools

3 Empower your team

4 Provide feedback and recognition

5 Address issues promptly

6 Build relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Management

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What are the best ways to hold virtual team members accountable?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set clear expectations

2 Use the right tools

3 Empower your team

4 Provide feedback and recognition

5 Address issues promptly

6 Build relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Management

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