Leading at a Distance: Practical Lessons for Virtual Success

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.

Darleen DeRosa, Ph.D., is a consultant in Spencer Stuart’s Stamford office and a core member of the Life Sciences, CEO Succession, and Leadership Advisory Services practices. Darleen brings more than 15 years of consulting experience, with deep expertise in talent management, executive assessment, virtual teams, top team effectiveness and leadership development. Darleen works with leading companies to facilitate selection, succession management and leadership development initiatives. She is a trusted advisor to CEOs, CHROs and boards.  Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Darleen led OnPoint Consulting for more than 12 years.  Earlier, she was an executive director in the assessment practice at another leading international search firm, where she conducted assessments of senior executives across industries. Before that, Darleen led the assessment practice for Right Management Consultants, responsible for the practice’s growth in the Northeast region. In addition, Darleen was a clinical researcher at the Yale School of Medicine. She began her career at AT&T in human resources.  Darleen earned her B.A. in psychology from the College of the Holy Cross and her M.A. and Ph.D. in social/organizational psychology from Temple University. Darleen is the co-author of Virtual Success: A Practical Guide for Working and Leading from a Distance (with Richard Lepsinger), as well as other book chapters and journal articles on leadership.

A world leading expert on leadership, governance, CEO succession and professional success James Citrin leads Spencer Stuart’s CEO Practice and is a core member of the firm’s Board Practice. During his 25+ years with Spencer Stuart, he has led more than 800 CEO, Board Director and C-Suite  searches and CEO succession assignments for world-leading media, technology, communications and consumer companies, as well as other multinational corporations, financial services institutions, private-equity firms and venture capital firms, and educational and not-for-profit institutions.  Jim has published eight books, including Leading at a Distance as well as The Career Playbook and other bestsellers You’re in Charge — Now What?, Lessons from the Top, The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary Careers, and You Need a Leader — Now What?  Jim has been widely interviewed, quoted and published in outlets including The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, the BBC, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Financial Times and Harvard Business Review, among many others. Jim is also a LinkedIn Influencer with a million followers.  Jim graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Vassar College and received his M.B.A. with Distinction from Harvard Business School.  He served on the board of Vassar College for 12 years, is a Trustee Emeritus of Wesleyan University, and serves on the boards of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Girl Effect.