What are some effective ways to deliver leadership training virtually?

1 Choose the right tools

The first step is to select the appropriate tools and platforms for your virtual leadership training. You want to ensure that you have reliable, secure, and user-friendly options for video conferencing, screen sharing, chat, polls, surveys, and feedback. You also want to consider how you will share and access materials, such as slides, documents, videos, or podcasts. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can use a combination of free or paid tools, such as Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack, SurveyMonkey, or Mentimeter.

2 Design interactive sessions

The second step is to design your virtual leadership training sessions in a way that fosters interaction, participation, and engagement. You want to avoid long lectures or monologues that can bore or distract your clients. Instead, you want to use a variety of techniques and formats, such as breakout rooms, case studies, role plays, simulations, quizzes, games, or peer coaching. You also want to encourage your clients to share their experiences, challenges, questions, and feedback with you and with each other. This will help them build rapport, trust, and collaboration.

3 Adapt your communication style

The third step is to adapt your communication style to the virtual environment. You want to ensure that you are clear, concise, and confident in your delivery. You also want to use positive and supportive language, tone, and body language. You want to avoid distractions, such as background noise, interruptions, or multitasking. You also want to check in regularly with your clients, ask open-ended questions, listen actively, and summarize key points. This will help you establish rapport, empathy, and credibility.

4 Provide ongoing support

The fourth step is to provide ongoing support to your clients after each virtual leadership training session. You want to ensure that they have the resources, tools, and guidance they need to apply their learning to their work context. You also want to monitor their progress, challenges, and achievements. You can use a variety of methods, such as email, phone, chat, or online forums. You can also assign them homework, action plans, or reflection exercises. This will help them reinforce their learning, practice their skills, and achieve their goals.

5 Evaluate and improve

The fifth step is to evaluate and improve your virtual leadership training. You want to measure the effectiveness, satisfaction, and impact of your sessions. You also want to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of your online coaching practice. You can use a variety of tools, such as feedback forms, testimonials, ratings, or analytics. You can also solicit input from your clients, peers, or mentors. This will help you learn from your experience, celebrate your successes, and address your challenges.

6 Stay updated and inspired

The sixth and final step is to stay updated and inspired as a virtual leadership development coach. You want to keep up with the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in online coaching and leadership development. You also want to network with other coaches, join communities of practice, or enroll in courses or programs. This will help you develop your skills, knowledge, and confidence as a coach. It will also help you offer more value, variety, and quality to your clients.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?