The Virtual Leader
Posted by Ed Silva on Fri, Apr 15, 2011 @ 01:21 PM
Leading virtual teams requires a different skill set to working with traditional hierarchies within organizations. The self assessment instrument on Emotional Intelligence, included in The Virtual Leader was beneficial to understanding the emotional competencies needed in a virtual arena.
Emotional Intelligence helps one to both avoid mistakes that come from negative, highly charged emotional situations, as well as recognize emotions to utilize positive strategies to build trust and understanding of the needs of others.
Our agency is charged with passion for our consumers who need resources to make their lives more productive and effective. As virtual leaders, our role is to remove barriers that may hinder our staff from efficiently producing what is necessary to meet consumer needs. Effective communication is essential. But more importantly, helping staff problem solve on their own to expedite the process themselves to remove these barriers would be more effective. The tradition of a clearness committee was especially helpful for virtual leaders to help staff, in their own virtual arena, recognize that they have the ability to solve their own problems and see their own solutions. This empowered their staff, increased the relationship and built trust.
Posted by:
Sandra L. Goins,PMP
Project Manager
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
State of Texas
Center for Learning Management