As someone who has held leadership positions on campus, I initially found the transition of my classes and extracurricular activities to an online setting rather difficult. I knew how to be a leader in an in-person setting; it was easy enough to provide guidance to my peers when I was able to observe their behaviors. I didn’t know how to be a leader in a virtual setting; how exactly could I observe my peers’ behaviors when they didn’t have their camera on during my Zoom presentation?
Research has shown that moving to a virtual setting puts one’s leadership skills to the test. Further research suggests that leaders need to be on their A-game consistently to have teams and communities deliver excellent performances while working remotely. In this post, I will be sharing two important practices to implement in order to be a better leader in a virtual environment.
1. Build trust with your colleagues.
Trust is the foundation of effective leadership and teamwork. Whether or not you are on the executive board of an RSO, it is important to build trust with whomever you are working with. People need to feel trust before they can build relationships or communicate with one another freely. However, it can be difficult to build trust in an online setting, as there are limited opportunities for interaction. In order to build trust on platforms such as Zoom, consider taking initiative by turning on your camera, and breaking the ice with some small talk. These are a few ways to make the online environment as comfortable as possible.
2. Be a clear and concise communicator.
When working in a virtual setting, it can be difficult to pick up on social cues like expressions and body language. Thus, it is especially important to be explicit in communicating your expectations to those that you are working with. One way to do this is by setting an agenda. For example, if you are scheduled to meet with your peers for a group project, reach out to them a few days prior to facilitate conversation and ensure that you will be on the same page during the actual meeting. Once again, turn on your camera and smile!
These are just two of many practices to consider implementing in order to become an excellent leader in a virtual setting. While such strategies can be difficult to master, I do believe that they are worth practicing all the same. Before you know it, you will be an expert at navigating leadership in both in-person and online settings.
Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/06/22/virtual-leadership-5-best-practices-to-lead-a-virtual-team/?sh=755bd2ca1f06
https://www.forbes.com/sites/amawson/2020/07/01/the-perfect-virtual-leader/?sh=19cb0ebd7d62
