Keeping the Tools From Supplanting the Process

As you work through the process, be wary of electronic tools that promise instant polling or feedback. As you work to resolve tough issues, you're trying not only to understand what people already think but also to create opportunities for them to acquire new information. The goal is to transform the issue and the participants' thoughts about it. These are the ingredients for breakthrough results in effective problem solving. This process requires personal connections and dialogue among participants, not opinion polls.

Improvements in technology will certainly make communication more interactive. As you consider the new developments, however, review the objectives and requirements for each step to assess how new tools will serve them. And remember that, although innovative communication hardware is appealing, effective human software needs to drive its use.

BE AN AGENT OF HOPE

Virtual teams offer great opportunities to tap the best talent. They also require special attention to combine the talent successfully to resolve tough issues. A clear process and thoughtful selection of tools will guide you through this minefield to realize your objectives. Take the initiative to tap these resources effectively.