What is your VQ (Virtual Intelligence Quotient)?

As our work worlds increasingly require us to interact across time and distance, Virtual Intelligence is the latest in the multiple intelligences we are being asked to master. Here is a quick—totally unscientific—self-assessment you can apply to the way you work in virtual settings. Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 for each of the 16 questions. A score of 160 means you have self-assessed at a genius level with respect to your VQ.

Virtual Professional Appearance (maximum 20 points)

1. Do you have a good quality picture of yourself – a “head” shot, not one of you in front of Niagara Falls, riding your motorcycle, or holding your favorite pet – in all the software (e.g. MS Outlook, instant messaging applications) and sites (e.g. Plaxo, Linked In) that you use?
2. Does your signature block contain all appropriate contact information (and do you avoid extraneous and cutesy quotations and sayings)?

Virtual Work Place Behavior (maximum 50 points)

1. Are you always cognizant of the difference in time zones between you and the people you are working with?
2. Do you avoid sending gratuitous emails (such as the joke of the day, or superfluous “thanks” in a reply-to-all)?
3. Do you avoid attaching large files, or when that becomes necessary, do you send a warning in advance?
4. Do you respond in a timely manner (never taking longer than 48 hours)?
5. Do you make every effort to learn and properly use the collaboration technology adopted by your team?

Virtual Meeting Behavior (maximum 60 points)

1. Do you appropriately announce your presence and avoid anonymous lurking?
2. Do you – without fail – arrive on time?
3. Are you sensitive to not introducing extraneous noise (e.g. no teleconferences while ordering lunch)?
4. Do you intentionally avoid or minimize multi-tasking and/or concurrent IM gossiping?
5. Do you conscientiously prepare by studying the material sent to you in advance?
6. Do you join the conversation, making thoughtful contributions?

Virtual Leadership Behavior (maximum 30 points)

1. Do people know where you want to go (do you set agendas in advance)?
2. Do you give people an appropriate sense of your personality and humanity (e.g. do you show a sense of humor, of passion, of curiosity, of a positive frame of mind)?
3. Do you first assume positive intent (there must be a valid reason for their behavior, and I should not respond negatively, even if I am inclined to do so, until I have all the facts)?