Virtual Teams Video Cliff Note #3 – Team Setup

Setting up your team is often a forgotten step in virtual teams. Top talent, good intentions and high expectations don’t guarantee success in the virtual space if this crucial step is missed.

 

It helps to think of setting up your virtual team as if you were preparing for a long road trip. To get you from your starting point to a successful finish, you will need to create your team’s Virtual Roadmap. First, determine your Team Destination. This is your team’s purpose, mission, and goals. Then you need to establish the Rules of the Road; the overriding structure for how your team will operate. Once these ground rules have been established, develop a Team Code of Conduct. The Team Code of Conduct outlines the agreements made by team members on how they will communicate. This code looks at acceptable and unacceptable behaviors that guide every aspect of team life, which takes on added significance in virtual situations.

 

Remember, Team Setup is not an exact science, and you may need to rethink certain rules and realign as necessary.

 

Here’s Yael going into more detail about Team Setup principles: