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Dan Appleman

This course will teach you how to adapt your existing leadership and management skills to virtual and distributed teams.

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This course will teach you how to adapt your existing leadership and management skills to virtual and distributed teams.

In 2020, technology teams worldwide suddenly became virtual – and for many of them some degree of virtual work has become the new normal. Knowing how to lead virtual teams has become a core skill set for those currently leading teams, and those who wish to move into leadership and management positions. In this course, Leading Virtual Teams, you’ll learn those skills, and the ways in which leading virtual teams differs from those that are not. First, you'll take a close look at the differences between virtual and non-virtual teams, and how those differences result in a unique set of challenges that will be the focus of this course. Next, you'll focus on the work and how to monitor and maintain productivity on a virtual team. Finally, you'll look at the people and how to build culture, community, and cohesion on a team where individual team members rarely, if ever, meet in person. When you're finished with this course, you'll have discovered that leading a virtual team is not harder or worse than that of leading a non-virtual team.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Identifying the Challenges of Leading Virtual Teams
Monitoring and Supporting Productivity
Building Culture and Connection
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Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops leadership skills for non-virtual teams
Adapts leadership and management skills for virtual and distributed teams
Teaches skills to monitor and maintain productivity
Examines challenges of leading virtual teams
Builds culture and connection skills on virtual teams
Skills applicable for team leadership, management, and personal development

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Leading Virtual Teams with these activities:
Review basic management and leadership concepts
Revisit and refresh your understanding of basic management and leadership concepts to prepare for the course.
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  • Summarize different management and leadership theories and models
  • Review the key principles and best practices of effective leadership
  • Identify your own leadership style and strengths
Explore case studies of virtual team management
Analyze real-world examples of how virtual teams have been managed to identify best practices and potential pitfalls.
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  • Read case studies and articles on successful virtual team management
  • Identify the key challenges and solutions presented in the case studies
  • Draw parallels between the case studies and your own experiences or goals
Engage in peer discussions on virtual team dynamics
Exchange ideas and experiences with peers to gain diverse perspectives on managing virtual teams and understand different approaches.
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  • Join online forums or discussion groups dedicated to virtual team management
  • Participate in discussions and share your own insights and experiences
  • Collaborate with peers on projects or case studies related to virtual teams
Four other activities
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Simulate virtual team interactions and decision-making
Engage in simulations or role-playing exercises to practice and improve your skills in leading and managing virtual teams.
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  • Participate in online simulations or virtual team exercises
  • Take on different roles within the virtual team, such as leader, team member, or facilitator
  • Analyze your performance and identify areas for improvement
Develop a virtual team management plan
Create a comprehensive plan outlining your strategies and approaches for managing a virtual team.
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  • Define the goals, objectives, and scope of your virtual team
  • Identify the key challenges and opportunities of managing a virtual team
  • Develop strategies for effective communication, collaboration, and decision-making
  • Outline performance metrics and evaluation methods
  • Communicate the plan to your team and stakeholders
Share your knowledge and experience with aspiring virtual team leaders
Support the development of others by sharing your insights and experiences in leading virtual teams.
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  • Identify opportunities to mentor individuals interested in virtual team management
  • Provide guidance and support to mentees, sharing your best practices and lessons learned
  • Facilitate discussions and workshops on virtual team leadership
Contribute to open-source projects related to virtual team management
Gain practical experience in virtual team collaboration by contributing to open-source projects focused on virtual team management.
Browse courses on Virtual Teams
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  • Identify open-source projects related to virtual team management
  • Join the project community and engage in discussions
  • Contribute code, documentation, or other resources to the project

Career center

Learners who complete Leading Virtual Teams will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Director of Engineering
Technology teams worldwide suddenly became virtual in 2020, and for many of them some degree of virtual work has become the new normal. The Leading Virtual Teams course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to lead virtual engineering teams effectively. You will learn how to build high-performing teams, manage remote work, and ensure that your team is successful in a virtual environment.
Project Manager
Virtual teams are becoming increasingly common in the project management field. Leading Virtual Teams will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to effectively manage and lead virtual project teams. You will learn how to build high-performing teams, manage remote work, and ensure that your team is successful in a virtual environment.
Learning and Development Manager
Virtual teams present unique challenges for learning and development professionals. Leading Virtual Teams will provide you with the skills and strategies to effectively design and deliver training programs for virtual teams. You will learn how to create engaging and interactive learning experiences, and how to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of your training programs.
Manager of Digital Marketing
Virtual teams are becoming increasingly common in the digital marketing industry. Leading Virtual Teams will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to effectively manage and lead virtual digital marketing teams. You will learn how to build high-performing teams, manage remote work, and ensure that your team is successful in a virtual environment.
Human Resources Manager
Leading Virtual Teams will equip you with the skills and strategies to effectively manage and support virtual teams within your organization. You will learn how to build a positive and productive work environment, manage conflict, and foster collaboration among team members.
Operations Manager
Leading Virtual Teams will equip you with the skills to effectively manage and support virtual teams within your organization. You will learn how to build a positive and productive work environment, manage conflict, and foster collaboration among team members.
Continuous Improvement Manager
Virtual teams face unique challenges, such as communication barriers and a lack of face-to-face interaction. Leading Virtual Teams will equip you with the skills to overcome these challenges and lead virtual teams to success. You will learn how to build a cohesive team culture, foster communication and collaboration, and measure and improve team performance.
Change Manager
Change initiatives are often complex and involve coordinating multiple stakeholders. Leading Virtual Teams will provide you with the skills to effectively lead virtual teams through change. You will learn how to build consensus, manage resistance, and ensure that all team members are aligned with the change goals.
Diversity and Inclusion Specialist
Virtual teams are composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Leading Virtual Teams will provide you with the skills to create an inclusive and welcoming work environment for all team members. You will learn how to promote diversity and inclusion, manage conflict, and build a positive team culture.
Agile Coach
Virtual teams have unique challenges, such as communication barriers and a lack of face-to-face interaction. The Leading Virtual Teams course will equip you with the skills to address these challenges and lead virtual teams effectively. You will discover strategies for building team culture, fostering collaboration, and monitoring productivity in a virtual environment.
Customer Success Manager
Virtual teams are becoming increasingly common in today's business world. Leading Virtual Teams will provide you with the skills and strategies you need to successfully manage and lead virtual teams. You will learn how to build relationships, communicate effectively, and create a positive and productive work environment.
Communication Manager
Leading Virtual Teams will help you develop the skills needed to effectively lead and manage virtual teams. You will learn how to build relationships, manage conflict, and create a positive and productive work environment for your team.
Executive Assistant
Leading Virtual Teams will provide you with the skills you need to effectively support your executives in a virtual work environment. You will learn how to manage schedules, communicate effectively, and provide administrative support remotely.
Business Analyst
Leading Virtual Teams covers the unique challenges of managing and supporting virtual teams. Whether you are a new Business Analyst or a seasoned professional, this course will provide you with insights and tools to excel in this role. You will learn how to build trust and rapport, foster collaboration, and ensure effective communication within your virtual team.
Consultant
Leading Virtual Teams will provide you with valuable insights and strategies for working with virtual teams, whether you are a new Consultant or an experienced professional looking to enhance your skills. You will learn how to build trust and rapport with clients, manage expectations, and deliver high-quality results in a virtual environment.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Leading Virtual Teams.
This practical guide provides actionable advice and tools for leading virtual teams effectively. It covers critical aspects such as building trust, fostering collaboration, and managing remote workforces.
This guide provides a structured approach to managing virtual teams, with a focus on communication, technology, and team dynamics. It includes case studies and practical exercises.
Is specifically written for leaders of remote teams. It provides insights into the unique challenges and opportunities of virtual leadership and offers practical advice for building strong virtual teams.
Focuses on the challenges of running a successful remote company. It provides strategies for building a remote team culture, managing performance, and creating a positive and productive work environment for distributed teams.
Introduces agile software development methodologies, which can be beneficial for virtual teams looking to improve collaboration, flexibility, and productivity.

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