Leading at a Distance: Practical Lessons for Virtual Success - Hardcover

by James M. Citrin (Author), Darleen DeRosa (Author)

A timely and hands-on resource informed by lessons learned from Fortune 500 CEOs and executives

Leading at a Distance provides executives with the necessary skills to successfully lead in the new virtual workplace, backed by the research and expertise of global leadership firm Spencer Stuart. Although working remotely is not new, the global pandemic has placed virtual work at the center of everyday life. And it has thrust workforce strategies to the core of business operations globally. As the shift towards large-scale virtual work continues to grow and become a permanent fixture--by some estimates, 30% of the workforce will be working virtually - leaders must understand how to build virtual work environments that foster connected, engaged, and high-performing teams. Although some forward-thinking companies and not-for-profit organizations have made significant investments in technology and virtual collaboration, many others have simply joined the "Zoom culture" without fully appreciating what it takes to operate effectively at a distance on a sustained basis.

Leading at a Distance is a timely, research-based, and highly practical guide for developing and implementing strategies for conducting high-impact virtual work, building trust, and enhancing team unity. Designed to help leaders shape organizational culture remotely, this must-have resource demonstrates how to conduct virtual onboarding for senior leaders, build top teams from a distance, manage accountability in the new virtual environment, and much more. A hands-on toolkit filled with compelling examples, expert insights, and invaluable advice, this book:

• Provides clear guidance on establishing effective leadership in the virtual workplace
• Offers practical approaches for establishing strong relationships, increasing employee engagement, and coaching from a distance
• Addresses ways to keep geographically dispersed team members aligned and accountable
• Illustrates creative ideas for boosting team morale
• Features an overview of the unique challenges facing leaders in the virtual workplace
• Discusses often-overlooked topics such as virtual hiring and onboarding

Leveraging the authors' in-depth research and consulting experience, Leading at a Distance is required reading for anyone needing to adapt to a virtual way of working and develop their virtual leadership skills to maximize organizational effectiveness and performance.

Front Jacket

"James Citrin and Darleen DeRosa know more great leaders than any combination of authors I have ever met, and Leading at a Distance combines the wisdom they have accumulated over the years with their incredible learning in the past year. I am going to recommend it to every leader I know!"
--Marshall Goldsmith, the top-rated executive coach in the world for over a decade and #1 New York Times bestselling author, Triggers and What Got You Here Won't Get You There

"Virtual working, in multiple different forms, is here to stay. Leading at a Distance is not just an excellent playbook for how to get the most out of this new sport. It also addresses the key question of how to simultaneously build the social capital that organizations and teams need to win in the post-COVID season."
--Alan Jope, CEO, Unilever

"Leading at a Distance could not have come at a better time. The book offers ways to excel at leading in a virtual work environment and provides rich examples of how to motivate and inspire a remote workforce."
--Gail McGovern, President and CEO, American Red Cross

When the spread of COVID-19 impacted businesses around the world, it dramatically accelerated the pace that organizations, teams, and individuals transitioned to remote work. Going forward, working and leading virtually will become even more prevalent as technology improves, organizational cultures change, and societal norms continue to evolve.

In Leading at a Distance, accomplished consultants and authors James M. Citrin and Darleen DeRosa share indispensable strategies and best practices to onboard leaders virtually, build trust, shape organizational culture from a distance, enhance top team effectiveness, and conduct high-impact virtual meetings.

You'll learn how to keep team members aligned, connected, engaged, and performing at a high level, all while maintaining accountability and driving business results. The book is a hands-on toolkit filled with examples and insights from Spencer Stuart's experience at some of the world's most well-known organizations.

Perfect for managers, executives, and team leaders, Leading at a Distance will also earn a place in the libraries of employees at any level of seniority seeking an authoritative and insightful resource on how to draw out the best performance from their direct reports and colleagues in a virtual environment.

Back Jacket

PRAISE FOR LEADING AT A DISTANCE

"Virtual, or remote, leadership is a timely topic. Fortunately for us, authors Citrin and DeRosa began their research 15 years earlier, and their wisdom will remain with us for decades to come."
--Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft

"The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we work... maybe permanently. Leading at a Distance provides helpful insight on how to stay connected, build trust, coach teams, and drive talent innovation in a virtual world."
--Carol Tomé, CEO, UPS

"Leading at a Distance could not be more timely to help organizations, leaders, and employees thrive in today's remote work environment. Perhaps more importantly, this book, with its deep research basis and compelling insights brought to life with vivid examples, will become a timeless resource as all of our relationships with work will continue to meaningfully change."
--John Donahoe, CEO, Nike

"It's always a challenge for leaders to stay nimble as technology upends the old way of doing business, and the era we're living in is no different. But they'll find lots of great advice in Citrin and DeRosa's timely new book--a primer for how to lead in a flexible and dynamic work environment."
--David Solomon, CEO, Goldman Sachs

"Human capital is the lifeline of every organization, and among the most valued assets in corporate America. Now more than ever, keeping talent motivated and engaged is a critical key to success. In Leading at a Distance, James Citrin and Darleen DeRosa give leaders the tools to effectively inspire their teams during the pandemic and beyond."
--Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO and President, Ariel Investments

"In Leading at a Distance, James Citrin and Darleen DeRosa share their key learnings for how the most successful organizations balance the benefits of both in-person and virtual work environments to keep employees engaged and productive."
--Adam Silver, Commissioner, NBA

Author Biography

JAMES M. CITRIN leads Spencer Stuart's North American CEO Practice and is a core member of the firm's Board Practice. With over 25 years of experience at the firm, he has worked with clients on more than 750 CEO, board director, and other top management searches and succession assignments.

DARLEEN DEROSA is a consultant in Spencer Stuart's Stamford office and is a core member of the Life Sciences and Leadership Advisory Services practices. She has over 15 years of consulting experience with a professional focus on talent management, executive assessment, virtual teams, and leadership development.