Delegating tasks to a virtual team can be a challenge, but it’s crucial for remote work to be successful. One tactic that can greatly improve the chances of success is to write out the tasks you delegate.
The Power of Writing
According to Professor G. Richard Shell, there is a mysterious power in writing. He cites an old hidden camera TV show where a fake sign was placed on the highway between Pennsylvania and Delaware that read “DELAWARE CLOSED.” Despite some drivers ignoring the sign, a few others believed it and turned around, demonstrating the power of a printed phrase. This phenomenon is due to the “deference to authority” principle, where printed words carry a much higher authoritative message than verbal ones.
Writing Tasks Down for Your Virtual Team
Writing out tasks for your virtual team can dramatically increase the probability that they will get done. Here are two rules to make this tactic effective.
Rule 1: Type the Task Message in Real Time
The first rule is to type out your tasks while your virtual team is watching you during a conference call. This is the best way to get a commitment from someone and increase adoption rates. Use web-sharing software like WebEx Meetings or GoToMeeting, so participants can see you typing exactly what needs to be done on a spreadsheet or presentation slide. Even if they can’t see you, sounding like you’re typing out the task over a teleconference call will have a similar powerful effect.
Rule 2: Always Type Out Verbal Tasks
The second rule is to always type out the tasks and send them to your team. Don’t rely on verbal task requests, even for minor tasks. You could type tasks on a shared online space, a meeting minutes document, a spreadsheet, or even an email. The key is to have them typed out somewhere and not depend on verbal assignments. Writing tasks down will help your team remember the tasks, have a reference point to go back to, and avoid any potential miscommunication.
Conclusion
Delegating tasks to a virtual team can be challenging, but writing them out can make it much easier. The power of writing can help ensure that tasks get done and increase adoption rates. By following these two rules, you can effectively delegate tasks and improve your remote work experience.
If you’d like to learn more, check out “Influencing Virtual Teams”
