Question

0. xplain how some work habits will need to change in order to work in a virtual team environment.

Answer 1

With the new ways of working, it is said that we don’t work from home anymore, but we live at work. Here are some habits which will need to change in order to work in a virtual team:

1. Communicating in a Virtual Team: Communication is the key to success for any business. Now with everyone being miles apart from each other, out communication habits will need to change. Something which can be spoken but just walking to anyone’s desk will now depend on technology – like an email, a phone call or a video meeting.

2. Schedule regular meetings: In line with the previous point, discussions can no longer happen organically over a cup of tea or by just walking into a meeting room. We all need to be very deliberate about making sure that we are setting up meeting at regular intervals to take updates, check / request for support and to raise or discuss any issues.

3. Increased dependency on communication tools: Weather you are tech savvy or not, everyone will need to learn working with virtual communication tools now. Teams need to make most of the tools and the features they offer to make communication and working smoother – like screenshare, whiteboard options etc.

4. Relationship building in virtual teams: Rapport building with the team and colleagues will also see a paradigm shift as we are no longer face to face. We will need to go the extra mile for building network and relationships at work.

5. Set timings and make sure your work hours overlap: While we all need to be sensitive to the special needs which arise when we work from home (like carrying for children, household work etc.) it can be helpful to set defined work timings. These work hours also need to overlap with people you want to collaborate with on a regular basis so that you / they are accessible to you when required. Incase you need to attend to anything urgently during work hours, make sure you have this internal communicator status (like skype/zoom/MS teams) and/or keep your team apprised. Setting work timings also makes sure you are not over working and in turn ensure work-life balance.

6. Working with people from different countries and cultures: The power of remote working has now made it possible to collaborate with people who sit continents and countries away from you. This is beneficial to bring in diversity in the team and keep the work going round the clock. This will also however mean that the workforce to be culturally sensitive and tolerant.