Remote

control
Virtual handout
Remote control
Context
My experience Shared
identity

Shared My team Building it

context

Getting explicit Communication Remote

recognition

Further sources 5 tips for success My remote

team success

Remote success
To successfully manage a remote team there are three elements that we need to maintain specifically: shared
identity, shared context and remote recognition.

Identity Context
• Personal connections, not just professional • Zero confusion about roles and responsibilities
• High level of trust • Consistent work practices between
team members
• Frequent communication and not just
about work • Appropriate communication and
information sharing
• Individuals contribute to shared goals
and objectives • Team charter seen in action day to day

• Public recognition and reward for team member efforts

• Individuals receive the support they would in a co-located team
Shared identity
What is it?
Anything that contributes to the ‘we’ of a team. For example, this can be shared beliefs and goals.
What does it look like?
Teams with high shared identity have strong personal relationships, a shared sense of purpose and meaning
and communicate at a personal level more frequently.

Building shared identity

Shared objectives and values My team objective is:

• Make them explicit for all team to see
• Let team members create and develop them
• Bring them to life when interacting with team

Building swift trust

• Focus on doing rather than relating
• Ensure team deliverables are set and met
• Share past experience and credentials

Where are we on the trust scale?

0 5 10

Little or no At Stronger,
trust ‘swift trust’ deeper trust

Getting personal How are you helping your team to do this already?
• Building in time for social interaction
• Link team members on social media and IM
• Lead by example by sharing personal
information and stories

What else can I do to build and maintain shared identity in my team?

Shared context
What is it?
Shared knowledge of ‘how things are done around here’. Shared ways of working and communicating, and the
tools used to do this.
What does it look like?
Teams with high shared context have consistent ways of working, making collaboration easier. There is little
ambiguity, and everyone knows where they stand for the majority of the time.

Principles for remote communication

01 Use communication to save time, not take it up

02 Keep technology simple, reliable and accessible

03 Select the right medium for the right message

04 Use both synchronous and asynchronous platforms

05 Set rules for etiquette

Principles for my team:

Remote recognition
Celebrate good times Increase visibility Support and develop

Recognize and reward team Promote your team Monitor activity and
member efforts virtually to others in the organization offer support and guidance

How can I ensure that my remote team members feel recognized and supported?

Making it happen
What is the one thing we can do to work better What barriers might we face in doing this, and how
together remotely, starting today? will we overcome them?

5 tips for success find out more...

01 Be aware of factors that managers can take
for granted in co-located teams.
02 Find ways to connect team members to each
other and the bigger picture.
03 Be explicit about ways of working and set rules
for communication.
04 Take the time to reward and recognize team
members remotely.
05 Find ways to put fun into remote working.
find out more...
themindgym.com
Mind Gym workouts
• Goal setting
• Great feedback
• Motivate
• Team spirit
Books
• Garton, C. & Wegryn, K. (2006). Managing without
walls: Maximise Success with Virtual, Global and
Cross-cultual teams. MC Press online.
• Brown, M. L. et al (2006) Managing virtual teams:
Getting the most from wikis, blogs and other
collaborative tools. Wordcare Publishing Inc.
• Fisher, K. & Fisher, M. (2001) The Distance
Manager: A Hands-On Guide to managing Off-Site
Employees and Virtual Teams. McGraw-Hill.
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