Lecture Notes: Virtual Leadership by Karim Panton

Introduction

• Presenter: Karim Panton, PhD student in Applied Organizational Psychology at Hofstra.
• Graduate assistant for leadership development and programming.
• Presentation focus: Virtual leadership, particularly relevant due to the global pandemic.

Importance of Virtual Leadership

• Transitioning from conventional settings to remote work due to the pandemic.
• Leadership can be situational and often shared within a team.

Structure of Presentation

• Two imperatives: Communication and Work.
• Three considerations: Accountability, Emotional Intelligence & Occupational Health, and Circumstances.

Imperatives

1. Communication

Frequency, Mode, and Content

• Frequency:
  • Regular communication is crucial.
  • Example from the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement: Shift from weekly to daily check-ins.
  • Importance of tailored communication frequency for different team members.
  • Strategic core: Key players in team communication.
• Mode:
  • Importance of suitable communication mode.
  • Open vs. Unique communication: Face-to-face vs. email.
  • Optimize communication channels for effectiveness.
• Content:
  • Prioritize critical information; avoid overload.
  • Appropriate format for complex information.

2. Work

Structure, Timing, and Timeline

• Structure:
  • Division of work based on expertise.
  • Importance of sub-teams and individual vs. team work.
• Timing:
  • Prioritizing immediate tasks over future ones; "just in time" principle.
  • Strategic task management.
• Timeline:
  • Clear understanding of deliverables and order of events.
  • Balance concurrent timelines.

Considerations

1. Accountability

• Visibility: Importance of maintaining visibility when working remotely.
• Engagement: Active participation and communication with team members.
• Politics: Workplace politics impact perception of engagement and productivity.

2. Emotional Intelligence & Occupational Health

• Emotional Intelligence: Empathy and understanding are key.
• Occupational Health:
  • Work-life conflict and life-work conflict.
  • Importance of setting boundaries and managing stress.

3. Circumstances

• Leadership is situational and circumstantial.
• Factors such as housing security, physical and mental ability, and internet access can affect virtual work.

Conclusion

• Emphasized the importance of adaptability in leadership during remote work.
• Encouraged interaction for further questions or leadership development interest.
• Contact information provided for further queries: [email protected]

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Karim Panton concluded by encouraging students to stay safe and expressed hope to meet on campus in the fall.