EVENT SUMMARY
Compared to traditional teams, teams composed of remote workers present specific challenges for leaders. This training is designed to help managers address these challenges.
Modern communication technologies and the pandemic have changed the way people work. These days, thanks to the Internet, we can communicate more easily and more quickly than ever before with people across our geographic footprint. However, there are also challenges in working remotely and in managing a virtual workforce. Some of these challenges are part of managing any team but other challenges are specific to virtual teams.
Allowing staff to work remotely has advantages, including allowing employees to have more flexible work arrangements, being able to access talent from across the United States and Canada, saving money on paying for office space, saving time and money commuting and helping reach net-zero commitments.
This course is designed for participants who already have experience of managing a traditional team, but who are new to managing virtual teams. The course does not delve into general leadership theories and concepts but instead focuses on specific issues that affect virtual teams.
Attendees will receive 4 Professional Development Hours (PDH) upon completion.
This class will be split into 4, 1-hour sessions:
- December 1: 1 pm – 2 pm, CST.
- December 2: 1 pm – 2 pm, CST.
- December 7: 1 pm – 2 pm, CST.
- December 9: 1 pm – 2 pm, CST.
TOPICS INCLUDE
- Definition of virtual team
- Virtuality continuum
- Virtual teams and diversity
- Benefits and challenges of a virtual team
- The skills of an effective virtual team leader
- Dealing with motivation challenges
- Hiring the right people to work as part of a virtual team (what personality traits and soft skills they need to have)
- Building trust in remote teams
- Developing socialization among remote team members
- Communication challenges
- Communication across space and time
- What tools to use to communicate in a virtual team
- Holding effective virtual team meetings
- Coordination and logistics of remote teams
- Introducing new technologies for virtual team members to use
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the course, you are able to:
- Identify what constitutes a virtual team.
- Evaluate the challenges and opportunities of leading a virtual team.
- Highlight the key skills of an effective virtual team leader.
- Apply strategies to tackle issues that virtual teams have in the areas of motivation, social engagement, communication and logistics
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Leaders and managers who have experience in leading traditional teams but are new to managing remote teams and need training on this topic.
- New managers who need to expand their leadership training to include how to lead virtual teams.
- HR departments in companies that have virtual teams working for them.
- Project managers in charge of a project that involves a remote team.
- Companies who hire a professional to work for them remotely.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Suzanne Ogle
President & CEO
Southern Gas Association
Suzanne Ogle is President and CEO of the Southern Gas Association. As CEO she helps SGA members overcome the challenges, they face operating in the natural gas industry and navigating public perception. With her entrepreneurial mindset and wide range of experience across the natural gas value chain from service, to exploration and production, midstream and transmission she focuses on business process, optimization and effective communication to prepare the SGA members for resilience and innovation in an industry in transition.
Suzanne is an Accredited Public Relations and Certified Investor Relations professional. She holds an Advanced Marketing certificate from Southern Methodist University, as well as Finance Management, Business Analytics and Change Management certificates from Cornell University and an Executive Leadership for Energy Professionals certificate from the University of Houston. She received a Master of Education in educational psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in business marketing from California Lutheran University.
Cindy Mitchell
Vice President of Operations
Southern Gas Association
Cindy Mitchell serves as vice president of operations for the Southern Gas Association (SGA), where she manages the day-to-day functions of the organization. Prior to joining SGA, Cindy spent 20 years of her first career as a county official for Denton County, Texas. When elected, Cindy was the youngest elected county clerk in Texas, serving the 9th most populous county in the United States. She has served in leadership roles within state associations and the National Association of Counties nationwide.
Upon retiring from the local government, Cindy transitioned into leadership development training and coaching for both local governments and the gas industry, leading her to SGA. “When I was elected, I found that people presenting to me had such a limited interest, and it was never mine or my constituents. I will always have a heart for local government officials, and equipping leaders is a passion of mine,” Cindy said, “To be able to offer solutions to local leaders is especially gratifying.” When not working to advance the energy industry, you may find her traveling, spending time with family, or entertaining friends.
