What Pitfalls Should Virtual Executives Beware Of?

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Business Pitfalls

man-1209494_640Thinking they can get away with sloppy thinking, writing, responding, dress, planning, integrity, disposition, etc. — because no one sees. Wrong. Everything that goes on behind a monitor can be sensed, felt, surmised by the other person. If a plant responds to someone’s attitude (as Prince Charles believes), a horse can sense fear running down the reins, a dog can feel your attitude towards it — then a fellow human being can perceive it even if only through electronics. So, we can’t assume we can get away with lower performance or less effort because we’re not always face to face.

 

Do appearances matter more or less for virtual professionals?  

First, appearances matter whether they see you or not because YOU see you. I had more than one female executive tell me they slip on a pair of high heels before they write an email and put lipstick on before making a phone call.  One male executive says he brushes his teeth before he leaves a voicemail message to make it cleaner. When using Skype or FaceTime: check the lighting, check the backdrop, check the volume, your posture, clothes, hair, etc.  In other words, plan and practice before you go live.

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Debra Benton

D.A. (Debra) Benton has been helping great individuals and organizations get even better for over 20 years. Just as exceptional athletes rely on excellent coaching to hone their skills, Debra's clients rely on her advice to advance their careers. She focuses on what is truly important to convert what you and your organization want to be from a vision into a reality. TopCEOCoaches.com ranks her in the World's Top 10 CEO Coaches noting she is the top female. And as conference keynote speaker she is routinely rated in the top 2%. Her client list reads like a “Who's Who” of executives in companies ranging from Microsoft, McDonald's, Kraft, American Express, Merrill Lynch, United Airlines, and PricewaterhouseCoopers to the Washington Beltway and U.S.Border Patrol. *She is the author of ten award-winning and best-selling business books including The Virtual Executive and CEO Material. She has written for the Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Fast Company. She has been featured in USA Today, Fortune, The New York Times, and Time; she has appeared on Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, and CBS with Diane Sawyer. To learn more Debra advising leaders, coaching, facilitating a workshop, or speaking: www.debrabenton.com

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