A number of you really enjoyed my post on virtual team foundations last week. Increasingly I think many of us are part of virtual teams, even if it is on a project basis.
In today's post I wanted to share with you what I wrote about Virtual Team Challenges a few years ago. As you read through this, how similar are challenges facing your virtual team?
" Some of the common challenges which virtual teams face are:
*Navigating across timezones (rather than an 8 hour day virtual teams may be "operating" 24 hours a day, possibly 7 days a week)
* Working across technology - use of different platforms and technology available from the location
* Working across cultures and languages
* Creating a shared vision for all team members
* Nontraditional communication methodologies which may require equipping staff with enhanced skills in virtual communication
For virtual teams to flourish they require that a high degree of trust be established between individual team members. The foundation for this can be started through an on-site teambuiding meeting for all team members. Ideally, the team should have face-to face meetings at the start of their project, or in the early stages, to develop a common vision, protocol and understanding of their roles. Regular (semi-annual or annual) face-to-face meetings can provide the opportunity for the team to further connect and check on alignment on these issues, while working through challenges and opportunities facing the group.
Many times, communication (positive and negative) can be the foundation for virtual team success.
Questions to consider:
What is communication like in your virtual team?
What is trust like?
What needs to be enhanced? What can you leverage?
Original post: http://biztoolkit.blogspot.ca/2006/10/virtual-team-challenges.html
Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPT
Potentials Realized - Leadership and Team Development, Coaching, Retreats
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
Email us to find out how we can support you and your team in enhancing your collaboration through coaching, training or a retreat program
In today's post I wanted to share with you what I wrote about Virtual Team Challenges a few years ago. As you read through this, how similar are challenges facing your virtual team?
" Some of the common challenges which virtual teams face are:
*Navigating across timezones (rather than an 8 hour day virtual teams may be "operating" 24 hours a day, possibly 7 days a week)
* Working across technology - use of different platforms and technology available from the location
* Working across cultures and languages
* Creating a shared vision for all team members
* Nontraditional communication methodologies which may require equipping staff with enhanced skills in virtual communication
For virtual teams to flourish they require that a high degree of trust be established between individual team members. The foundation for this can be started through an on-site teambuiding meeting for all team members. Ideally, the team should have face-to face meetings at the start of their project, or in the early stages, to develop a common vision, protocol and understanding of their roles. Regular (semi-annual or annual) face-to-face meetings can provide the opportunity for the team to further connect and check on alignment on these issues, while working through challenges and opportunities facing the group.
Many times, communication (positive and negative) can be the foundation for virtual team success.
Questions to consider:
What is communication like in your virtual team?
What is trust like?
What needs to be enhanced? What can you leverage?
Original post: http://biztoolkit.blogspot.ca/2006/10/virtual-team-challenges.html
Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPT
Potentials Realized - Leadership and Team Development, Coaching, Retreats
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
Email us to find out how we can support you and your team in enhancing your collaboration through coaching, training or a retreat program
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