Managing Virtual Teams Needs Leadership Skills

A virtual team is geographically detached faction of individuals who work across time zone

, cultural differences and secretarial boundaries. They all are linked by strong network of communication technology. An archetypal virtual team is usually decentralized but also has human resources, clients, and even supervisors who are spread around the globe. This team is quite different from the prescribed and face to face team of office. Businesses have spread across the boundaries so the virtual team has become a basic necessity to manage the projects. Managing virtual teams is not just an icing on cake, it is really a tough task. The pervasiveness of virtual teams is growing day by day and everyone wants to manage projects through virtual teams.

Some key factors are going to be mentioned for team leaders to manage the virtual teams:

Trust and honesty are the key factors in the success of virtual teams. Team leader and team have a strong bond of loyalty and trust among themselves. It is so simple and painless to lose the trust but it takes years to build up. Trust does miracles when team members are not face to face because it is hard to guess the body language, eyes movement and facial expression of the any member on phone. So it is necessary to trust that members are working honestly and efficiently towards their objectives. So team leader should be shrewd enough to read between the lines.

Another important thing is the development of good understanding among the team and the team leader. It is very decisive that every team member completely recognizes his/her role and duty. They all should also understand the reporting relationships and statements of each other despite of all language and cultural barriers. Cultural difference can be a sturdy hindrance in communication but it can be covered by different means. It is obligation of leader to organize his team with operational expertise and hi-tech tools to work in the geographical diversities. Team leader should explore the cultural disparity within the team to establish a common vision to work together. He should provide all resources to his team which are necessary for the project.

Leader should keep regular contact with all virtual team members around the globe. Conference and video calls make it easy to contact with members on regular basis. Team leader should up to date with the time difference and holidays in different regions of his members. Face to face meetings should arranged by him on regular basis to enhance the workability. Effectual leadership is the pillar which supports the entire team and enables it to achieve the goals. Leadership skills can differ from project to project so a team leader should be talented enough in managing virtual teams. Undoubtedly team leader can make or mar any project. Nowadays such kinds of software are available which manages the virtual teams prudently.

by: Namra Iqbal

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