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The New Norm: Geographically Distributed Teams
As technology evolves and the traditional office setting becomes less centralized, organizations are facing new challenges in maintaining team performance. Geographically distributed teams are now the industry norm, whether for global companies or those within a single region. In a business environment with fewer face-to-face meetings, companies must adapt to the realities of distributed teamwork. The use of collaborative technology is often encouraged, if not required, by today's business leaders.
Common Barriers to Success for Virtual Teams
Surrounding the use of technology, several other factors can hinder the success of distributed teams. Understanding these common barriers is the first step toward overcoming them.
- Lack of established methods: Teams often lack best practices and formal processes specifically geared toward working in virtual environments.
- Inadequate tools: Issues like poor hardware, limited secure bandwidth, and software that doesn't work well together can disrupt workflow.
- Interpersonal and cultural challenges: Time differences, a lack of trust, tepid participation from team members, and cultural or language difficulties can create friction.
- Absence of social cues: Virtual settings lack the non-verbal and social cues that are naturally present in face-to-face interactions, which can lead to misunderstandings.
As organizations shift away from a collocated workforce, they must focus on the core elements of teamwork, including new work methods and the strategic use of collaborative technology.
How to Improve Virtual Team Performance
To combat the challenges of working virtually, organizations must focus on leadership and establishing work methods specifically designed for distributed teams. Leaders and team members must learn and embrace new skills and adopt differentiated processes to enable team success.
The Role of Leadership
Team leadership is a fundamental ingredient in improving the performance of distributed teams. Effective virtual leaders must:
- Organize assignments and tasks carefully to achieve objectives.
- Align team members around specific project tasks and important milestones.
- Maintain the quality of all deliverables.
Core Team Elements and Processes
Accountability of team members is a critical factor in team composition, followed by dependability and trust among the team. Because these elements are more challenging to build in a virtual setting, having solid methods of engagement and clear practices is essential. Key considerations for distributed teams include:
- Meeting Standards: Establishing a clear cadence and structure for all team meetings.
- Communication Standards: Ensuring all communication is open, clear, and concise. This diligence is significant for sustaining team members.
- Team Member Alignment: Creating processes that keep every member aligned with team goals and priorities.
Strategic Use of Technology
While process and leadership are key, technology remains a critical component. Beyond basic communication tools, high-performing virtual teams benefit from a focus on:
- Data Interoperability: Ensuring that data can be shared and accessed seamlessly across different platforms and tools.
- Work Tracking: Using systems to monitor progress, track deliverables, and ensure accountability.
By adopting these success factors, team members can thrive and contribute more effectively in a distributed team environment. '''