7 Signs You Are Not Virtual Manager Material

Do you have what it takes to become virtual manager material?

Along with the technological advancement, our workplace paradigm has shifted towards cyberspace called virtual workplaces. To achieve a successful organization, good management is crucial especially in the global business landscape. In this case, virtual management requires a specific skill set to become an effective virtual manager.

Management is a skill which could be honed through hard work and practice, but look closer, you might want to reconsider the signs and check whether you have the ability to be a virtual manager…or not.

1. Going virtual? Not your cup of tea.

“Virtual teams are composed of co-workers geographically and organizationally linked through telecommunications and information technologies attempting to achieve an organizational task.”

More often than not, most managers see the virtual workplace as a challenge since the team that you will be managing is not physically present. The lack of physical interaction and presence may cause an aspiring virtual manager to lose that sense of leadership.

Virtual management shows a lot of promise but is highly built upon trust and support among the virtual workforce. An effective virtual manager knows the process of performance management with a virtual team.

To become a virtual manager, you should learn to trust your team even without being physically present. It is the job of the virtual manager to establish camaraderie within the virtual workforce while utilizing every available skill within the team for better performance.

2. You have a hard time trusting people

The success of virtual teams is highly built upon trust among team members. If you have a hard time trusting people to complete their task at hand, then I suggest you find a new career to look into. In managing a virtual team, you should lay out their responsibilities clearly.

At the same time, you should learn how to trust your virtual team even without seeing them personally. Constant communication is the key towards establishing trust and in encouraging the performance of your team members.

3. You lack the technical know-how

Becoming a virtual team manager requires you to utilize the virtual manager tools and applications available. With the increase of demand and advantages that virtual workplaces has to offer, the virtual workplace is here to stay.

As it grows, new tools and technology will continue to thrive in the existing business landscape. As a virtual manager, you should be able to cope with the changing business set-up through continuous training sessions on new tools and applications to become knowledgeable of the work at hand. A virtual manager admits to not know everything and values the need for self-improvement and embracing the virtual manager tools at hand.

4. You do not communicate openly and frequently

One of the main challenges in a virtual workplace is communication. Excellent virtual managers should establish an open line towards team members using the right technology available. The different communication tools include audio messages, virtual team meetings, video conferences, face-to-face meetings, and emails.

You cannot be a virtual team manager if you cannot convey the idea in your head clearly or if you lack frequent supervision on your team. You should be able to express yourself well and make yourself available for the team during work hours.

Since facial expressions and body gestures may not be helpful in composing your emails, effective business communication is required. Failure to do these things will definitely result to conflicts within the team and no manager would like that outcome.

5. Coordination is a hard task for you

Virtual teams may also have team members scattered all over the world. As an effective virtual manager, you should be able to coordinate with every member of your team and make them feel your existence once in a while. Virtual meetings should be done and should be strictly imposed to allow your virtual team to see each other in the flesh.

Employees require a sense of connection with others in the team or organization. Not only would this promote strong working relationships, this will even contribute to the success of independent workflows or project collaboration.

6. No sense of work and play

Virtual managers should know how to appreciate their team even once in a while. It’s an important responsibility to recognize each team member on an effort done to let them know your trust and appreciation towards their work. Just like every other organization, managers who see and distinguish the efforts of the members are well respected and tends to create a much more effective virtual team.

7. You do not know how to manage conflict

Since virtual teams work on cyberspace, conflicts that arise also take place in the virtual workplace. Though it is a relief that the team members don’t have contact with each other, virtual manager characteristics should have patience and the ability to handle conflicts within the team.

Though negative, conflicts are usually a good way to see the flaws existing in the management at hand. Virtual managers should be able to filter the information that comes in while focusing on the approach towards peace.

Having all these signs should not put you to shame. While keeping them in mind, you could work on your project management skills and improve your strengths to achieve optimal effectiveness as a virtual manager. On the other hand, if this does not turn out well for you, then maybe management is just not the right career path to take. Besides, not everyone is suited for virtual work. You just have to shift your skills towards the field you work best.

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