Virtual teams: Why technology is useless without emotional capital

There are teams which form great working relationships and use technology seamlessly. Contrary to what you might have thought, it has nothing to do with the technology itself. Sure, the tools are necessary, but the core of their success is emotional capital. Make some jokes, get competitive, and generally lighten up to strengthen the emotional capital in your team. Tease each other and don’t be afraid to post silly pictures from time to time.

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People must like and respect others

A professor of strategic management at the INSEAD business school recently claimed that people readily adopt tools like social media (and also internal tools like Yammer) because they are emotionally connected to the colleagues in their team. An article published on management-issues.com agrees with that.

When you honestly like and enjoy your colleagues, the effort needed to stay connected is worth it for you and you maximize technology because it enhances your communication experience. When work relationships are poor, no one will be motivated to even try to use the tools that drive communication. This is especially the case when people work remotely.

3 pillars necessary for building emotional capital

1) Authenticity: Are you really who you say you are, and are you honest? Can people trust you when they hear you speak or read the emails you sent?

2) Pride: Are your colleagues proud of the company and the team they work for? Don’t underestimate the role a healthy ego plays in motivation.

3) Attachment: Do people care if their co-workers are suddenly replaced, or is everyone interchangeable? When we develop friendly and tight working relationships, we are more likely to tolerate minor disappointments. Also, people who like their colleagues tend to stay with their employer longer.

-jk-

Article source Management Issues - British website cntaining practical information, tips and advice to managers
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