Part 1 - Here
are the differences between virtual teams and onsite
teams -
- Onsite teams have functional skills as core criteria for being
selected whereas the virtual team members need to have skills
beyond functional levels.
- The virtual team members need to have discipline, learn new
technologies & ability to collaborate across functionals and
cultural boundaries.
- The virtual team structure is more supportive of a flat
organisation with lines of authority & hierarchy being dim. It
helps to deliver results faster & bring a culture of innovation
and creativity.
- Unlike the onsite team, the leaders and managers cannot control
& manage the day to day activities & monitor performances
of each and every members. It has a more democratic & coaching
style of leadership.
- The onsite team have knowledge and idea-sharing in informal
discussions which is lacking in the virtual teams.
- The virtual teams have more status update and information
sharing meetings but the onsite team can reduce the time for such
meetings and address any operational challenge immediately.
- The relationship-building between co-workers is much more
advanced in onsite teams than virtual teams as rapport is
established much faster.
- The psychological contract is more fragile in virtual teams as
compared to onsite teams.
- Meetings can be called anytime in onsite team setups. It leads
to quick decision making and problem-solving.
Part 2 - Here are the
problems leaders have to face in managing the interpersonal
relationship in the virtual team -
- One of the major problems faced by the leaders is the lack of
face to face interaction.
- The management overall becomes ambiguous, time management and
maintaining disciple becomes difficult.
- It also creates problems as team members are not able to learn
new technologies & collaboration across functional &
cultural boundaries become tough.
- For the leader, it becomes challenging to check & monitor
each and every activity of members and hence performance appraisals
become challenging.
- It becomes difficult to schedule meetings especially when the
team members are from different time zones.
- A lot of technological barriers and difficulties exits while
communicating to the virtual teams.
- The problem solving is slow & decisions take time.
- It becomes a problem area for the leader to establish a
connection and relationship with all members. The virtual team have
less informal work culture & social skills don't come into
play.
- Communication across teams, collaboration, cultural issues
grievance handling are other problems which leaders face in virtual
teams.
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