Leading From A Distance

As technology becomes an increasingly bigger part of our professional lives, the need for managers and employees to work in the same location becomes less and less important.

As technology becomes an increasingly bigger part of our professional lives, the need for managers and employees to work in the same location becomes less and less important. In addition, as organizations become more global, serving customers across geographic boundaries often requires that those who serve them are close to them—and not necessarily their “bosses.” Managers who are responsible for the work of those whom they don’t see every day face the same challenges as other leaders—getting results through others—but they have the additional challenges of leading from a distance. In this program, those who manage remote employees learn the basics of effective leadership as well as how to address the specific needs of employees without having daily face-to-face contact with them.

Consider this program if…

• Managers must still achieve results through others that they don’t see on a day-to-day basis.
• Communication between leaders and those whom they lead from a distance often breaks down.
• Managers are using technology such as e-mail, voice mail, teleconferences, video conferences, in place of meeting face-to-face.
• Your company supports alternate or virtual working arrangements.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the specific challenges of leading individuals from a distance.
• Recognize and support the skills needed by employees in order to be successful in a virtual working relationship.
• Clarify expectations around core topics necessary for a distance working arrangement to work effectively.
• Use the most appropriate technology in order to accomplish leadership tasks effectively.
• Set up appropriate measures to track performance and provide feedback, without the need for being face-to-face.