Improving Communication In Virtual Teams

Poor communication skills allows the members to gossip and spread rumors that can lead to conflict. Failure on the part of management to address speculation can result to the deterioration of morale. It can lead to resentment.

Improving Communication in Virtual Teams through Training

Due to the development of telecommuting and the Internet, more individuals opt to work with virtual teams. They work to achieve a common goal and communicate through electronic means. Most of their interactions occur online. As organizations continue to evolve with communication and information technology, computer-mediated communication systems enhance and support team activities through the cooperative network.

Online communication technologies overcome constraints

When a meeting is synchronous, it is spontaneous and members exchange ideas with little or no structure. In this case, it is difficult to attribute a particular idea to just one member. Moreover, it is also difficult to rationalize a particular decision in a synchronous meeting. Yet, there is more structure in asynchronous meetings because members exchange documents in the process. Team members have more time to write their messages. Thus, it is easier to connect an idea with a particular member.

Asynchronous meetings need more time because the exchange of information takes a longer time. Online communication technologies facilitate these meetings through computer conference systems, electronic document management systems, and emails.

A virtual team establishes relational links by assigning positions to members, establishing group interaction norms, and defining the roles of each member. Social information exchange is easier during face-to-face interaction because each participant can communicate the content and cues of the spoken message. In face-to-face interaction, individuals rely on para-verbal and non-verbal cues that help regulate and facilitate the flow of conversation, as well as convey feedback and subtle meanings. Yet, in online communications, they use emoticons and punctuation marks to emphasize the message. These relational links are important to the effectiveness of

Yet, it may take longer to develop relational intimacy. Thus, although there is an initial limit for group interaction, the constraints will disappear over time. Online communication has a slower rate of transfer, although it has the same as that of face-to-face interaction. Moreover, studies suggest the use of ALL-CAPS and emoticons to exchange socio-emotional information.

Enhanced motivation, open communication, and better communications are some of the positive outcomes of group cohesiveness. Groups display higher task satisfaction, exert more influences, and communicate more openly when they are cohesive. In any meeting, it is important to develop a relationship among the team members because this relationship will form the foundation for commitment and trust. At the initial stage, team members get to know each other. Usually, they introduce themselves and develop an understanding of each other. Moreover, the team defines each member’s task and