Virtual teams continue to grow in popularity because of the advantages they offer to geographically dispersed organizations. Most teams operate virtually at least some of the time as members exploit available technologies to supplement and at times take the place of face-to-face meetings.
In the global business environment, the success of many organizations depends on the effective functioning of intercultural virtual teams. Other aspects of diversity further complicate the effective functioning of virtual teams. Team selection is crucial to project success, and training for the virtual experience greatly increases the chance of success. Individuals possessing the specific skill set needed for success in virtual teams are highly marketable in a wide variety of organizations. Virtual teams whose members recognize, respect, and respond to differing behavioral expectations enhance their prospects for achieving high performance levels. Education about the dynamics of virtual teams serves to enhance team member commitment and raise the probability for team success.
Leadership of virtual teams requires a special skill set that differs somewhat from that required in more traditional settings. While virtual teams face various challenges not encountered by face-to-face teams, various strategies can be applied to make the virtual team experience a successful and satisfying one for participants. Selection of technology is key to virtual team functioning and should be determined based on the goals and activities of the team. As with any meeting, a virtual meeting must be well planned, well managed, and well documented.
The world is truly becoming smaller, and virtual teams are an essential element in global activity. Time spent developing virtual team skills in yourself and others and mastering virtual meetings is well invested and will pay dividends in higher productivity, greater job satisfaction, and richer relationships with colleagues around the world.