When people say the world is becoming more connected, they sure aren't joking! In the Working Together When Apart article, it talked about the ways to help ensure that virtual teams will work more effectively. After reading the article, it made it seem like as long as the teams follow these major points, then things will work for the best. While I understand and agree with the points that were made, I still don't think that virtual teams can work in the long run.
I have been on a team, of which many of the members were traveling, so any given time the meeting would have 5-15 actually in the office and the others dialing in from their remote locations. There were 5 members who would always dial in since their offices were located in Russia, Scotland, South Africa, and the UK. The meetings progressed and on the phone we got our goals accomplished, but it still never felt like a team. A team in my opinion, is more than just what happens when you are "team meeting". It is those times that you share outside of that conference room and in the rest of the office. Say you have birthday celebration lunches, the individuals who dial in aren't obviously getting a chance to participate and build that team feeling.
The benefits of virtual teams are great... they provide a wide range of individuals with different backgrounds and ideas from across the globe and can carry on meetings in any location just to name a few. They are a great asset to companies and should continue to be used to solve problems that are facing the companies. However, these virtual teams will accomplish what they need to and can solve an issue at hand, but I don't believe that these teams will work in the long run or will be the best method of solving a problem that is persistent. In saying that, team dynamics are a huge part of creating a team. In the article I mentioned above, the author noted aspects to make a better dynamic, but again in the long run I feel that teams need to have that physical presence or base connection.
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5 comments:
Jill,
I definately agree whith what you say. The human/social aspect of being in team is equally important as the work aspect. As you mentionned, eventually, strong human links between team members is one of the key things that makes the team perform!
I say if you have the virtual connection, take it but if not then that's alright too.
Face to face time is definitely important in any scenario. The ability to cope and adapt to multiple types of people is important.
When talking about virtual teams versus "regular-everyday" teams, it really makes you think about all the facets, things you may not think about too much, or that seem obvious that make up a team... those nonverbal signs, the ability to cope to the different scenarios, conflict, etc...
Someone's smile from across the room or a pat on the back are definitely great things. They are real...you see them, you feel them. Maybe they will make you feel better and in turn boost your productivity. The reality is, you need to be able to part ways with these preconceived notions ASAP if you're going to succeed in the technologically superior, globalized business world of today. Don't get me wrong...it's still about relationships and how you deal with people, but the way that is being done will change. It is going to take a new sort of acumen and tact to develop relationships with those you rarely, if ever, see. You need to be able to adjust to the new environment. Or your company will dial up someone in India who can.
Oh. yeah, the fact that most of the virtual teams are task-force? teams(or short-time project team?) slipped my mind. I kept thinking that a virtual team has rather bad aspects. If it is short-time oriented task force team, it would work better than setting up a new team and giving them time to get together. In terms of short, goal-oriented project, virtual could work well. yesyes.
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