Computerworld — As IT people, we know firsthand how critical technology is to managing virtual teams. And in today's workforce, virtual teams and contractors are a norm. But here's the rub: We often forget one of our invisible tools -- communication.

Virtualization Definition and Solutions

When you and your team don't share the same physical space, you need to be even more effective at communicating. Having run my company virtually for several years, I have learned several key things that can be applied to any project.

Once you have your communication keys in place, you need to model the behavior you want to cultivate. Set some boundaries for yourself, and let your team know when you're not available. If you're on a family vacation, give people plenty of notice, and let them know the time period when you are not available. Empower people when you are unavailable. You'll be surprised at the solutions that magically appear when you are unplugged from your Blackberry. Revel in it.

Michelle LaBrosse , PMP, is the founder and CEO of Cheetah Learning and author of the books Cheetah Negotiations and Cheetah Project Management.

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