3 Things Every Successful Self-Managing Virtual Team Needs

ByAndrea Elibero

The dream is:

Start an online business doing work you love! Hire high-vibe team members that are on your wavelength. Have a team that essentially runs itself so you can take four weeks off to cleanse in a Mexican temazcal sweat lodge. (Or is that just me?!)

That’s the dream, right? Do what you love, let your team do what they love, everyone is always on the same page, there is little to no stress, and your online business runs as smooth as your dance moves. (Cue the cupid shuffle.)

I wholeheartedly believe you can do work you love AND live a life you love. You can master the art of work life balance. You can have your cake and it too.

How? By creating a self-managing team *you trust* that needs minimal supervision, is efficient and cost-effective.

It’s not as scary or impossible as it sounds. Although it does require an investment of time and effort, the benefits are well-worth the venture.

Here are the 3 things every successful self-managing virtual team needs:

1. They need systems

If you’ve been around here for a while, you know how sexy systems are. 

Systems:

  • Are effective project management tools

  • Are the key to working remotely

  • Promote effective communication

  • Delegate and prioritize

Systems are THE foundation for any online team–especially a self-managing one. They are the glue that holds your business together, keeps everyone on the same page and creates consistency, leading to fewer dropped balls.

With the right systems in place, you will have a bird’s eye view of all the detailed inner workings of your business. You will always know the who, what, when, where, why of everything going on. They are the essential first step.

 

2. They need project management tools

If we’re creating systems and streamlining processes, we must stop running our business out of our inbox, head, or notebooks. The key to setting up efficient systems and building self-managing teams is to centralize all tasks with project management tools (PM tools).

These PM tools are the “location” where everything lives. This allows all team members to be on the same page, know when tasks are due, assign tasks to team members, and attach necessary files. You can even schedule recurring tasks.

My favorite PM tools are:

  • Asana: My personal choice, Asana allows your team to follow projects, assign tasks, set deadlines, share details, and create visual project plans all in one place.

  • Click Up: Another fave, Click Up features to-do lists, project management, docs and notes, spreadsheets, email and chats, reminders, goal tracking, time tracking, screenshots and recording, and resource management.

  • Trello: Trello is another great tool for organizing projects into boards and in just one glance, you know what’s in progress, who’s working on what, and when something is in process.

    3. They need a point person

    This is where a lot aspiring self-managing teams fall short. They’ve meticulously put systems in place, they’ve set-up overly detailed project management teams, and they think voila, self-running team.

    But this minor detail is the difference between an aspiring self-managing team and an actual self-managing team.

    A point person–that is not you.

    Remember, the point here is self-managing–not you micro-managing.

    Your self-managing team needs to know who to go to with any and all questions, and the best person for that is an Online Business Manager (OBM). The purpose of an OBM is to oversee and manage all the little details, so that you can step away and worry less about the little details and spend more time doing the things you love doing–work related or not.

    An OBM will assure the right task is being completed by the right person at the right time. That’s a whole lotta right. They will make sure there are systems and SOPs in place, and that everything is running smoothly.

    Do you have an OBM on your team?

    Contrary to entrepreneurship myth, you don’t need to be overwhelmed with all of the responsibility or duties because you’re the head of the team. On the contrary. With streamlined systems, intricate PM tools, and the right OBM, your dream self-managing team is not as far-fetched as you think it is.

    If you’re seriously considering building a self-managing team, I would love to connect. As a Certified Online Business Manager that specializes in team building, my role is to help you set-up a high-vibe, self-managing team that runs itself instead of running you crazy.

    If you want to follow along with my journey, want to learn some business tips, or see some cute dog videos, let’s be internet friends!

    Whether you’re a high-vibe virtual assistant starting out and wanting a roadmap to build your business, a soulpreneur wondering what an online business manager can do for you, or you want a discount on my favorite business tools, check them out here!