Challenges in Cyberspace: Learn How to Build Collaboration and Eliminate Conflict in Virtual Teams!

We have seen a significant increase in the number of remote employees in the last 20 years and many of us now work regularly with colleagues based in different buildings, states, countries and even continents. It’s not uncommon for team members to be in different time zones or even speak different languages.

And while the advances in technology and communication capabilities have made these situations possible and much easier than in the past, many challenges still remain in managing teams and keeping staff engaged and productive…from a distance.

Managing a team that is spread out can present huge challenges, even for the most experienced managers.

How do you ensure that everyone feels that they are treated fairly, particularly if you see some team members more often than others?

How can you prevent remote team members from feeling isolated?

How can you encourage feedback and dialogue when most communications are electronic?

The very nature of remote teams often leads to conflict. Think about it: in-person communication involves much more than just words.

When we are expressing agreement, we often nod, smile, or make gestures.

Likewise, when we are expressing disagreement or are frustrated, our communication can include facial expressions, body language and even shaking of the head – all of which are completely invisible to the virtual employee.

Plus in virtual settings, there are fewer opportunities for the informal communication that happens naturally at physical locations – opportunities where small issues or concerns are easily resolved before they become major conflicts.

Because of these challenges and because of the strong link between communication and physical presence, when it comes to our virtual teams, we must take steps to be more conscious leaders.

Join me for 60 minutes and learn tips and techniques to keep your dispersed team unified and motivated.

We’ll cover:

• Effective communication principles that ensure everyone is heard and understood
• How to set ground rules and keep everyone on the same page (no matter where they’re located!)
• Tips for encouraging feedback and increasing regular dialogue
• How to recognize conflict (and address it) before the situation explodes
• How to craft written messages that resolve rather than escalate conflicts

Presented By

Guy Harris
Master Trainer & Coach

Guy draws on more than 20 years of combined professional and military experience when he consults, coaches, or trains in the areas of team and interaction dynamics, communication strategies and tactics, and emotional intelligence.

Prior to becoming a trainer and coach, Guy served as a Nuclear Engineering Officer in the US Navy Submarine Force, and he worked in leadership positions in both large and small business environments.

Typical client concerns prior to working with Guy are: forging a team from a group of individuals, moving a team past the conflict stage of team development, developing other leaders, expanding personal influence within the organization, communicating more effectively, and developing buy-in for new programs and processes.

With experience and training in technical disciplines and his further training in, and practical application of, human behavior and motivation principles, his unique skills consist of quickly connecting the technical and task accomplishment necessities of business operations with the human factors that often limit rapid implementation and results.

In other words, he helps you understand – and work through – the reasons why your relationships are getting in the way of getting things done.

Guy has both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Chemical Engineering. He was a qualified Engineering Department head in the U.S. Navy. He is a Master Trainer and Coach in the DISC Model of Human Behavior, and a Workplace Conflict Resolution expert.