In the work I do I have ample opportunity to watch leaders discover their potential for achieving extraordinary results. It’s amazing to see. What I’ve noticed is that returning to work and putting this new found knowledge into action is the tough part.
What they experience in a setting where they are face to face with others isn’t easily accessible when they return to emails, conference calls, online forums, etc.. They now know what they need to do to lead effectively: they need to create a compelling vision of the future, they need to engage others in that vision and make them feel empowered to achieve it, and they need to build a sense of community and shared values.
Doing all that effectively in the virtual channels we all use today is not as clear or easy.
Are there technologies that are well matched to some tasks? For example, are blogs the way to establish a vision?
Are these technologies ones that your constituents are comfortable using, i.e. do they read and comment on blogs?
Does your organization dictate or restrict the technologies you have access to, i.e. “No Facebook allowed on company time.”? Can you advocate for change?
Are there best practices that are emerging that will help us as leaders to engage our followers and build the relationship with them that we need to be effective?
How do we best engage others in meaningful conversation when we are not face to face, or in the same location or even in the same time zone?
All of these are questions we will address on this site. There will be links to useful articles, books, other blogs, audio and video content. As best practices, tools and tips, articles develop I will post them and ask that you do the same.
What would be helpful to you? What are you struggling with as a leader who must function in the virtual environment?
Let’s talk.
posted by
Beth High
{ 0 comments }
