Leadership Solutions for Virtual Teams
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
Virtual Leadership Matters Inc. provides a wide-ranging set of solutions that address the specific leadership needs of an organization.
How It Works: Customize Your Own Program or Choose a Preset Program
Each virtual program can be delivered in on-line sessions. A targeted group of topics can be selected to provide a comprehensive program covering all three elements of The Commitment Empowerment Model™.
Delivery: Each topic can be delivered as a stand-alone session with up to 15 participants or can be part of a package of topics. Package pricing is available for booking multiple topics.
Course Menu: The menu of programs is based on The Commitment Empowerment Model™, which has three elements described below:
- Assessing and Ensuring Clarity of Purpose & Values
- Structure: Clear Operating Processes and Clear Roles
- Climate: Leadership Practices that Build a Productive Climate for Individuals and Teams
Create Your Own Program: Course Menu Options
1. Assessing and Ensuring Clarity of TEAM Purpose
This element addresses how well team members understand their team’s purpose and objectives. The focus is on a near term time frame to ensure that team members are choosing the right priorities and have the same common focus for the coming weeks and months. The training programs in this section use assessment tools and exercises to measure alignment and identify specific actions to increase alignment. As well, individual team members can build an understanding of their individual values and purpose and how they align with the team.
Building a Team Value Statement
This session focuses on helping team members work through a list of questions to identify and confirm the value that the team adds to the organization. A Team Value Statement is developed that represents a common understanding of the mandate that can be shared with stakeholders. The development of a clear articulation of the team’s goals and objectives enables the team to more clearly share their purpose with other teams and provides a valuable onboarding tool for new members of the team.
The key benefit of this session is that both the individual and the team understand the common purpose (goals and priorities) of the team.
2 hours
Assessment of Team Alignment.
This session focuses on completing an assessment questionnaire to determine the level of alignment that individual team members have against the overall purpose (goals & objectives) of the team. The key benefit of this session is gaining a clear understanding of where team members are and are not aligned so that team communications can address the alignment gaps.
1 hour
Aligning the Team.
This session focuses on having team members work together on an exercise that confirms the Organizational and/or Department Team Value Statement which is articulated through a statement that is represents a common understanding of the value that the teams creates in service of achieving the organization’s objectives. The Team Value Statement can be shared with key stakeholders. It is very effective to combine this topic with the Assessment of Team Alignment. The key benefit of this session is a process undertaken by the team to develop a team mandate statement and the statement itself. The development of a clear articulation of the team’s goals and objectives enables the team to more clearly share their purpose with other teams and provides a valuable onboarding tool for new members of the team.
2 hours
2. Structure: Clear Operating Processes and Clear Roles
This element addresses the teams’ understanding of the operating processes that have been established to deliver a product or service to the customer/client. Topics cover how team members interact with and impact each other, how they communicate effectively, strategies and operational planning and the effective use of technology tools that are part of the team’s operating structure. This element also provides guidance on how to establish clear roles for team members to enable them to effectively meeting goals of the team.
Assessing Team Interactions.
This session focuses on having team members work through an exercise where they identify how they interact with other teams in the organization. It helps teams understand their role in the overall process of delivering value to the customer/client and how they can increase the effectiveness of their interactions with other teams. The key benefit of this session is the clarity it provides regarding how teams interact with each other to make the organization’s operating processes more effective and more efficient.
3 hours
Communication: determining ideal virtual communication channels/platforms.
This session focuses on having team members at work through an exercise to identify the different communication forums and channels, such as team meetings, one-on-one meetings, etc., that exist within the organization. As part of the exercise, team members establish the overall purpose for these communications in order to develop recommendations for the ideal communication platform that will enable achievement of the goals of the communication. The key benefit of this session is the value of the final set of recommendations that will enable the organization to use the most appropriate communication platform for the various different communication channels and forums.
2 hours
Communication: creating virtual communication norms and terms of engagement.
This session focuses on having team members complete an exercise to establish communication norms and terms of engagement that will maximize communication effectiveness across the various different virtual communication platforms. It is very effective to combine this topic with the session focused on determining ideal virtual communication channels/platforms. The key benefit of this session is the improvement in communication effectiveness as a result of having clear communication norms. As well, by increasing engagement in communication, the overall level of communication effectiveness is improved.
3 hours
Strategic & Operational Planning.
This session focuses on supporting teams in strategic thinking and implementing a systems approach to developing strategic plans and synchronizing them with operating plans and budgets. The key benefit of this session is to ensure that teams are able to fulfill their responsibility of planning even though operating in a virtual remote working environment. Most of the in-person facilitation techniques are replicated in virtual planning, some bringing significant added efficiencies including the time required to undertake the process.
5-10 hours
Technology Best Practices.
This session focuses on exercises and training to help leaders apply best practice tips that enhance their ability to maximize the use of virtual technology. The key benefit of this session is the value of the increased ability to facilitate virtual meetings. The ability to access the full functionality of the technology enhances the effectiveness of the communication interactions. As well, increased competence in the use of technology can positively impact team-member perceptions of the competence of their leader. We have experience in multiple platform such as Zoom, MS Teams, WebEx™, Google Meet and GoToMeeting™ and can assist with choosing the correct platform for your communication needs.
90 minutes
Matching Employees with “Best Fit” role expectations.
This session focuses on Performing the SWH Assessment™ to determine an employee’s Skill, Will and Horsepower (SWH). Session participants use a unique tool to identify each employee’s level of competence, interest (passion for) and future potential relating to the various tasks and accountabilities required by the team. The key benefit of this session is the value a leader gains from understanding and employee’s key competencies as well as the type of work that is motivating to the employee.
Confirming team roles using RACI.
This session focuses on the application of the RACI model to a project team or to the key accountabilities of a department. RACI enables a team to identify who should be Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed with respect to the key tasks/accountabilities that team must accomplish in order to meet the goals and objectives of the project or team. The key benefit of this session is the dialogue that is created when going through the process of assigning RACI and the overall clarity that results from a co-created agreement of how each team member is involved in the achievement of the team or project objectives.
2 hours
3. Climate: Leadership Practices TO ACHIEVE a Climate THAT BUILDS COLLABORATION, COMMITMENT AND CONNECTION
This element provides tools and strategies to leaders to enable them to effectively manage individual team member relationships as well as their interactions with the team, to help individuals and team members maximize their productivity and personal success.
Coaching Skills – how to have productive coaching conversations.
This session focuses on how to have a coaching conversation with an employee specifically when the conversation is not conducted in person – rather it is done over a virtual platform. Participants work through a framework for coaching conversations and have a chance to actually practice virtual coaching. The key benefit of this session is the increase competence in applying coaching conversations to a virtual work environment.
3 hours
Building Commitment remotely.
This session focuses on at the applying and practicing the key steps involved in gaining commitment to the goals and objectives that an employee is responsible for achieving in a remote working environment. The key benefit of this session is gaining the ability to apply a specific strategy to build greater employee commitment that leads to increased productivity.
1 hour
Setting Clear Expectations.
This session focuses on having participants work through a framework for setting performance expectations/goals that focus on outcomes. It includes exercises/training on how to apply the steps to specific conversations the participants want to have with employees to work virtually. The key benefit of this session is that leaders are able to express expectations in terms of outcomes and build commitment using the framework outlined in the training.
Performance Management and Feedback using VLM’s unique FEED™ Framework.
This session focuses on learning a unique framework for delivering at both reinforcing and corrective feedback to an employee. Participants learn the framework and then work through an exercise is to practice how to apply the learning to real situations involving delivering performance feedback to employees who work remotely. The key benefit of this session is gaining insight into an objective process for providing feedback that is candid, objective and helpful. As well, participants learn techniques that impact how well the feedback will be received when delivered using a virtual communication platform.
2.5 hours
Mastering Difficult Dialogues.
This session focuses on learning and applying the key steps that enable to leaders to engage in difficult conversations held remotely that may involve confrontation or conflict. The key benefit of this session is that leaders learn how to engage in authentic, candid and challenging conversations while maintaining or enhancing the relationship
2 hours
Facilitating virtual meetings.
This session focuses on having participants learn a variety of techniques that are used in the facilitation of virtual meetings. The participants are given the opportunity to engage in exercises where they focus on how to apply the techniques learned. The key benefit of this session is at that participants are able to facilitate virtual meetings more effectively.
2 hours
Effective empowerment and delegation practices.
This session focuses on the concept of empowerment and learning best practices in both what to delegate and how to delegate to be a more effective virtual leader. Participants are able to share their most challenging delegation barriers in order to discuss strategies on how to overcome their specific barriers. The key benefit of this session is that leaders learn how to empower others and learn key techniques for overcoming their own unique delegation barriers.
3 hours
Assessments (including psychometrics) for team members to understand each person’s unique style.
This involves the introduction of an assessment tool and often a personal &/or team debrief session. It focuses on gathering specific insight into individual innate behaviors, competencies and styles to determine areas of strength to leverage and areas to focus on development. The key benefit of this session is that it brings the necessary level of self awareness so that individuals can understand and embrace the personal journey ahead to grow in effectiveness individually and within their team.
Prescribed uniquely for each individual &/or team
Team Communications – communication audits and overall review of effectiveness/productivity.
This session focuses on reviewing team communications and meetings from an integrated system with components in all mediums. The key benefit of this session is to introduce a proactive approach to develop and maintain effective communication processes that enhance climate. This session may require advance work and/or post session implementation activities.
2 hours
Team Dynamics including (psychometric) assessment of individual styles and overall team culture.
This session focuses on features a range of team self-assessment options augmented with team observation and consulting support.
The key benefit of this session is a relevant third-party assessment and implementation plan to diagnose team current state strengths and challenges and outline implementation plans for a healthy team climate. This training uses third party and proprietary VLM assessments that vary in rates from no fee to specific fees per person plus team facilitation session fees.
2-4 hours
Team decision making.
This session focuses on identifying the actual decision-making process and criteria used by your team and then adapting it to meet the environment in terms of pace and creativity. The key benefit of this session is helping the team achieve timely and relevant decisions that are both aligned with the strategic direction and purpose of the team and tactical implementation priorities
2 hours
OTHER TOPICS
Additional topics designed to enhance your Leadership Skills include:
- Maximizing the Value of Your Time when working remotely
- Stress Management – finding balance
- Leading and Managing Change
- Emotional Intelligence
- Business Development in the Virtual World
Programs that are Ready-to-Deliver
Maximizing Personal Productivity
“Maximizing Personal Productivity – How to Stay Ahead of the Curve”
Feeling overwhelmed, too many emails, texts, phone calls and interruptions… not enough time? The good news is there is a process and tools for Maximizing Your Personal Productivity. Our two-session virtual training program is not just a webinar, it is a series of two interactive virtual learning sessions where you actively participate in applying practical tools to manage your workload in order to spend more time on what really maximizes your productivity.
Virtual Leadership Certificate Program
We have all been living in a marketplace vastly different than it was at the beginning of 2020. A new work normal is emerging with employees working remotely becoming the new workplace reality. Forward-thinking leaders are embracing this new reality and seeking the skills required to maximize productivity and employee commitment.
Virtual Leadership Matters Inc. is excited to offer a comprehensive on-line leadership program that provides leaders with the skills and tools to thrive based on the leadership model we have developed called “The Commitment Empowerment Model™”.
Team Retreats
Engaging in retreats with your team reconnects them and helps them get energized for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the year.
ENHANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE
There is also an opportunity to enhance the learning experience by augmenting the group sessions with one-on-one coaching or group coaching that is focused on application of the principles and concepts through dialogue and coaching on specific, real-time challenges. As well, the ICF accredited coaches at Virtual Leadership Matters are able to administer a wide variety of assessments and 360° feedback tools that help individuals and teams build greater self-awareness, resulting in higher performance.
If you would like more information on the In-Depth Programs we propose or want to explore the development of a customized program for your team, please contact us below.