Teams are becoming increasingly more global. Do you have any advice on how to manage the day-to-day of a increasingly global team?
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Like many who have commented on this thread, communication is very important for me, especially when it comes to setting expectations. I have found most success in setting expectations and sharing them with a local manager who can support if I am unable to during hours I am not logged on and being intentional about finding a regular 1:1 cadence to feedback on how things are going. I also ensure I find common times across the time zones to have the team get together for brainstorming / whiteboarding on Teams to drive collaboration and inclusivity across the globe.
Common themes in the comments and responses relate to communication. I've not read every response but i'd add a double click on communication and add - setting clear expectations.
One thing I've found after working with >30 companies in the last 3 years are undefined expectations. This is everything from when people are expected to be "online" and SLAs through to client facing interactions.
In my experience, the key is to design the appropriate communication and engagement context for the team to thrive, for all to feel included backed my solid foundational leadership principles put to practise everyday and rewarded (like Transparency, Teamwork etc.) and depending on size, a thoughtful cascading process should be part of the context for larger teams (> 20).
The elements of the appropriate communication and engagement context include
- Stand ups/Scrums with appropriate frequencies
- Technology that enables transparent asynchronous communication
- the appropriate one-on-one structure that cascades down for larger teams
- An open and rewarding culture of continuous improvement including improving global team cohesion. Ideas from the people are typically brilliant and need to evolve as the team grows and evolves globally.
Managing an increasingly global team can be challenging, here are a few areas that can add value:
1. Establishing effective communication channels by utilising various communication tools such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management software
2. Setting clear expectations by clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and expectations for each team member
3. Encouraging collaboration by fostering a collaborative environment where team members can share ideas, knowledge, and expertise
4. Being mindful of timezones, taking into account the different time zones of your team members when scheduling meetings or assigning tasks, being flexible and considerate
5. Provide opportunities for professional development by offering training and development programs that address the unique needs of a global team
6. Building trust which is perhaps the most crucial aspect of a global team's success - can be done via encouraging transparency, promoting accountability, and providing regular feedback
Establish Clear Communication Channels. Recognize and respect the time zone differences of team members when scheduling meetings and setting deadlines.
Set Clear Expectations! Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and expectations for each team member, regardless of their location. Leveraging frameworks like RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) can help a lot.