When you decide it is time to bring on a subcontracted team member to your virtual services business, it can be a little overwhelming. You probably are not sure where to look for them or how to find them. Don’t worry, because today’s article will help you as we discuss 7 key qualities to look for when building your virtual dream team.
Seven Qualities in Your Subcontracted Team Member
There are 7 key qualities that you should consider before hiring your new virtual team member. I tell my clients when they are considering bringing on a subcontractor to the team that they should…
“Choose Character Over Skill. Yes, they need to both but if you must choose, pick character. You can always teach skill, it is much harder to impart character when you hire them as an adult.“
We Discuss These Character Traits:
- Integrity
- Responsiveness
- Good Communication
- Respectfulness
- Work Independently
- Takes Constructive Criticism
- Self Motivated
Integrity
When I am looking for someone to work with virtually, I want that person to have integrity.
Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change:
Integrity and honesty go hand in hand. I consider it a top quality I desire for someone I work with, whether in the office or virtually. It speaks to trust, and most often someone who has integrity is someone who can be trusted.”
Practical Application: Integrity in working together for me means that if I give you a task assignment, you will do it. If, however, you cannot finish it on time, then I would expect you to have the integrity to let me know in plenty of time so I might be able to jump in and help complete it. I need to know I can count on you and that you will have integrity in all you do for my clients or me.
Responsiveness
Another great trait is responsiveness. It is also something I consider in the pre-interview stage. My pre-interview would be the emails exchanged when someone responds to my post that I am looking for a new team member.
“responsiveness: the quality of reacting quickly and positively.”
-Oxford Languages (via Google AI)
If I correspond with someone regarding their skills and skill levels, but they do not respond within 24 hours (weekdays), 48 hours at the latest, then I likely will not continue discussing the position with you. Nor would I consider you for the next step (the interview via Zoom). Responsiveness is key with team members who will interact and engage directly with your clients. You need to know that the team member will respond to your client promptly.
Always remember, especially with those team members who will work directly with your clients, they represent you and your brand.
Good Communication
While we are near this topic, let’s talk about communication. Good communication skills are a necessity. Having a team member who does not know how to communicate will not only frustrate you and your team but will also cause chaos within your business.
Practical for Good Communication Skills: Communication takes several forms in today’s technological world. We can communicate through email, texts, social media apps, phone, and video. It is a good idea to decide which type of communication will be standard for your company and stick to it. You may get an occasional client who wants to do it differently (and that is alright) as long as you have a standard operating procedure.
Respectfulness
The ability to act respectfully is another key quality I look for in a subcontractor.
“Respectfulness involves treating others with courtesy and consideration, and being mindful of their feelings and needs.“
“In the workplace, for example, employees who are respectful of their colleagues are typically more collaborative and productive. Respectful employees are also more likely to create a positive work environment and to be successful in their careers.”
I enjoy working with others who are respectful. When someone is respectful to me, it makes me want to respect them more. It may seem like a small kindness, but in fact is quite a big deal. Some people fight their entire lives to get respect from others.
Be respectful to others, and they may do the same in return. I have found that respect must be earned. As you show others respect and work well with them, they will begin to respect you as well.
Works Independently
Since we are in the virtual industry, it is important that whoever you hire can work independently. Working independently is a necessary quality in a virtual professional.
It means they do not need to be told how to do the task every time and can complete the work on their own (after you have trained them in your processes). A team member who can work without asking you or the client questions or how to do the task is quite valued. In the virtual industry, it is a necessity.
Since we do not work out of office buildings with cubicles and offices, being able to work independently is a key quality. You cannot go to your coworkers in the next cubicle and ask them for a reminder or input on a project. If you are very fortunate, you might have a virtual colleague whom you can shoot ideas off of when there is time.
Takes Constructive Criticism
One of the final key qualities to look for when building your virtual dream team is someone who can take constructive criticism. This is hard to come by. It is not easy to accept criticism; if it comes from a client or boss figure it can seem even more humbling.
Being able to take constructive criticism, however, is something that can help you grow as a human being and as a virtual professional. None of us is perfect, but oh, how I tried to be when I was younger, only to fail. Now, I call myself a “Recovering Perfectionist.” I had to learn it the hard way, through literally lying on my back and having to learn to walk again (from my flares with MS). Therefore, I highly recommend learning to take constructive criticism before you are forced to learn it the hard way.
HINT: By the way, being defensive is always a dead giveaway that you cannot take constructive criticism.
Self-Motivated
Self-motivation is a quality that should be highly sought after as well. To work virtually, you must be self-motivated, or you will not last long in this industry. Working online rather than in an office, especially as we work from our homes most days. This can be distracting. Although some virtual professionals have learned to thrive in this environment.
Self-motivated persons who can complete tasks without having constant input or pressure will thrive in the virtual industry. This is why I thrived in this industry: because I am self-motivated. I think I have always been this way. I can get myself going and look forward to my work and meetings each day.
The person you look for when building your virtual dream team should be self-motivated.
Final Thoughts
Yet, I believe all of the qualities we’ve discussed today also factor into everything it gave us.
If you need help putting your virtual dream team together, please contact us or set up a mini coaching session with Tammy.
