Managing a Virtual Team

Managing Virtual Teams


 

When and how often do team members need to meet face-to-face (FTF)?

Maznevski et al found that FTF interaction is instrumental during the “forming” stages of team building, especially if team members do not know one another. However, it may also be advantegeous for team members to have completed some  initial virtual meetings before  meeting in person (team members can  then focus on task-related expertise before any potential biases are introduced, and the FTF meeting can  be used to establish team work practices).

Maznevski and Chudoba also  found that teams which have repeated  FTF meetings at predictable times/ intervals often outperform those who choose to meet as “needed”. Regular, predictible meetings promote effective time management, and enables individuals to reserve any complex/delicate issues for  in-person interactions.

What is the best technology solution for virtual teams?

Telephones and email  provide simple, reliable, and accessible communication.

How can managers coordinate work among dispersed members?

A study by Cramton  found that dispersed team members often lack a common, shared understanding. Hinds and Mortensen’s study on virtual teams also found that when people are distributed they tend to engage in relatively little of the spontaneous and informal “water-cooler” communication that promotes shared understanding and is often the vehicle for adaptation.

Managers of virtual teams must shift their teams’ work practices towards more structured coordination. Clear team-level work processes, output requirements, and group norms reduce the complexity of virtual team coordination from coordinating efforts across multiple sites to aligning one’s efforts with a single, consistent set of expectations. Second, managers must also work to support and facilitate dynamic adjustment when it’s required by promoting and encouraging informal interaction.

DavittCorporatePartners – Organisational Psychologists

To learn more about our Leadership Development services, please contact the office: +353-1-6688891 or info@davittcorporatepartners.com

Discover how DavittCorporatePartners can help you to:

Develop Leadership in Your Organisation

Win the War for Talent

Realise Individual Potential

Align Behaviour with Corporate Values