High-Performance Virtual Team, Essay Example

Throughout the six lessons, much information about virtual teams, their operations, performance, advantages and disadvantages has been found. All these six lessons represent the six different facets of virtual teams and virtual team management.

The Four Boosters of Virtual Team Performance

The four main boosters of virtual team performance include the provision of support and coaching from virtual tea leadership. Commitment from team members will increase output while the recognition of members’ contributions will inspire team members. Holding each member accountable develops respect and efficiency.

Virtual Team Performance: Challenges and Pitfalls

This lesson was essential in highlighting the challenges and pitfalls that are associated with virtual teams. There are numerous underlying structural and environmental factors that affect the performance of virtual teams, posing potential challenges and pitfalls in the functionality of a given virtual team. These factors that are also potential challenges include technological and structural frameworks, tea members’ technological knowhow, cultural barriers, team building, and communication.

Characteristics of a Good Virtual Team

This lesson was very important as it helped identify the different factors that make a good virtual tam. A good virtual team is an effective virtual team that performs all its functions and tasks within the required time frame, delivering high quality work with little to no extra costs beyond the designated budget. A good virtual team is one that is effective and efficient in delivering high quality work within the set time deadlines and limits for resources. Such a team has an effective virtual team leader that is in touch with all the aspects of human resource management. There also has to be a culture of openness to nurture trust, unity and harmony within the virtual team. An effective and detailed work system is important in creating a seamless flow of work and production. Finally, a global mind-set fosters an environment of respect.

Effective Virtual Meetings

In order for a virtual team to be successful, communication has to be effective and efficient. Communication is mainly done through a virtual team meeting, mostly via video calls or the telephone. However, in order for a virtual meeting to be effective and to ensure the facilitator keeps the meeting on track, there are certain standards that have to be observed.

An effective virtual team meeting is essential in the success of a virtual team. These meetings have to be conducted in manner that will ensure all the intended meeting goals are realized at the end of the meeting. It is important that these goals be defined, it is also essential that the team leader keeps the team meeting in line and within the set confines in terms of its purpose and deliverables. It is also important that the team leader engages all the team members in the discussions while recognizing their contributions.

Shingle Seal Standstill Case Study

This case study was essential in the application of the different concepts on virtual teams taught in the previous lessons. It provides a real-life scenario where a virtual team has become dysfunctional with little or no progress of work. This case is important I helping the student identify the flaws within the management structures and policies that are employed in the management of virtual teams. This case is essential in helping the student consider the implications of the size of a virtual team, the mode and frequency of communication, team building, technology and the mode of file sharing within the team.

The Raygen Company Slump Case Study

This case study was essential in the application of the different concepts on virtual teams taught in the previous lessons. It provides a real-life scenario where a virtual team has slackened in their performance. As opposed to the Shingle Seal Standstill Case, this team records performance that is considered mediocre. This case is essential in helping the student identify the strategies that can be employed to boost performance.

Reflection

I believe that all these lesson were important in fully understanding the different facets to virtual teams. I believe that the most important lesson was on the four boosters of virtual team performance and the characteristics of a good virtual team. I believe the two lessons encompass all the essential information one requires to manage a successful virtual team.

References

Beyerlein, M., Beyerlein, S., Bradley, L., & Nemiro, J. (2010). The Handbook of High-Performance Virtual Team. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

DeRosa, D. M., & Lepsinger, R. (2010). Virtual team success : a practical guide for working and leading from a distance.San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Meister, J. C., & Willyerd, K. (2010, June 30). Leading Virtual Teams to Real Results. Retrieved from HBR Blog Network: http://blogs.hbr.org/2010/06/leading-virtual-teams-to-real/