What do you do if virtual collaboration is hindering your team's productivity?

1 Assess the situation

The first step is to identify the root causes of the problem. Is it a lack of clarity, trust, or feedback? Is it a mismatch of expectations, tools, or styles? Is it a distraction, isolation, or overload? Ask your team members to share their honest opinions and experiences, and listen with empathy and openness. You can use surveys, polls, or interviews to gather feedback and data.

2 Set clear goals and roles

The next step is to establish a shared vision and direction for your team. Define the purpose, objectives, and deliverables of your project, and break them down into manageable tasks and milestones. Assign roles and responsibilities to each team member, and make sure they understand their scope, authority, and accountability. Communicate the goals and roles clearly and frequently, and use a project management tool to track progress and status.

3 Choose the right tools and platforms

The third step is to select the best tools and platforms for your team's needs and preferences. Consider the type, frequency, and format of communication and collaboration you want to have, and the level of security, reliability, and functionality you require. Test different options and get feedback from your team members before making a final decision. Provide training and support to ensure everyone can use the tools and platforms effectively and confidently.

5 Build trust and rapport

The fifth step is to foster a sense of trust and rapport among your team members. Trust is the foundation of effective teamwork, and it can be harder to build and maintain online. To enhance trust, you can show your competence, reliability, and integrity, and acknowledge and appreciate the same in others. You can also share your personality, interests, and values, and get to know your team members beyond their work roles. You can use informal chats, icebreakers, and team-building activities to create a positive and supportive atmosphere.

6 Seek and give feedback

The sixth step is to seek and give feedback regularly and constructively. Feedback is essential for learning, improvement, and alignment, and it can be more challenging to obtain and deliver online. To solicit feedback, you can ask specific and open-ended questions, and show your willingness to listen and learn. To provide feedback, you can use the sandwich method, which is to start and end with something positive, and sandwich the constructive criticism in between. You can also use a rating scale, a rubric, or a checklist to make your feedback more objective and actionable.