Virtual Leadership...

Remember those times when there was still no internet? Those
times when it took us more than a second to process international
transactions? Those times when we need to fly each time we need
to meet people? Well… that was just yesterday.

Today, with the advent of the internet, our way of life has changed
and of course, this includes how we conduct business, how we
recruit talents, and yes, how we lead.

“A fundamental new rule for business is that
the internet changes everything.” - Bill Gates

Virtual Leadership. How different is this from other means of
leadership? No, we are not talking about leadership styles here
but “means.” So, how do we go about virtual leadership?

A good example that is comparable though not totally the same
as virtual leadership is the “home-and-away” business set-up.
This takes the form of having, as we know, the company’s
headquarters empower its branches and mainly acts on
strategic goals.

Like the home-and-away set-up, virtual leadership is the central
brain that guides the rest of the company. However, unlike the
former, the latter is virtually connected 24/7… making a seamless
information link throughout the organization.

“You know you have built an excellent digital nervous system when
information flows through your organization as quickly and naturally
as thought in human being… it’s business at the speed of thought.”
- Bill Gates

This link that crosses borders and cultures is like putting the world
on the palm of your hands… as we now know, businesses then
becomes more efficient with automation but not necessarily replacing
human “power.” And with information flowing at the speed of thought,
we are able to fully utilize our people’s potentials while better
understanding our customers needs. In turn, decision-making then
becomes even more precise… this is the essence of Leadership.

“The CEO’s role in raising company’s corporate IQ is to establish
an atmosphere that promotes knowledge sharing and collaboration.”
- Bill Gates

Yet more than information flow, more than teamwork, what does
virtual leadership bring to the whole organization?

OMNIPRESENCE. We can never be in more than one place at the
same time, even the mythical superman can not; but with the
advancement in technology, Leaders can now serve and connect
their people and customers from all over the world.

FLEXIBILITY. As a Leader, the aim is to develop maximum flexibility
within our chosen field… so that we are the master at reading the
changes in situations and responding with the appropriate leadership
style. When we are able to widen our work knowledge and develop
the general abilities of leading others, this will increase our flexibility.

CONTROL. If we have omnipresence, if we have flexibility then
leading, as in this case globally, would be more effective. Policies
and procedures would be more aligned with objectives. Creativity
and problem-solving would be more proactive. Risk-taking would
be taken with more courage. And exploring opportunities would
yield more benefits and good investments, both human and capital.
All these spell one thing… better control.

We can not do everything and everywhere on our own, it’s a fact.
We need to properly utilize people and technology to serve our
customers better to meet our goals… this is Virtual Leadership.

It is all about blending.

Remember…
“I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.” - Woodrow Wilson