Communication and Virtual Teams in an Academic Environment

Communication and Virtual Teams in an Academic Environment

  • Submitted By: vickimastro
  • Date Submitted: 11/02/2008 4:09 PM
  • Category: Business
  • Words: 1458
  • Page: 6
  • Views: 994

Communication and Virtual Teams in an Academic Environment

Vicki Mastro

University of Phoenix

GEN 300

Skills for Professional Development

Dennis Keagan

November 2, 2008

“Globally linked virtual teams will transform every government and company in the world. Any of our peers who don’t do it won’t survive.”

John Chambers, CEO, Cisco (2008, September)
For a host of reasons, virtual teamwork is on rise. In this fast paced world of e-mail, voice mail, discussion boards and cell phones it’s a must important to remember that meaningful communication plays an important role in our virtual every day lives. Without thoughtful communication virtual teamwork would be impossible. Communication becomes the essential ingredient that leads to the success of those teams—and there certainly are communication strategies to help to reap the rewards of success with the challenges that come with virtual teams.

A vast majority of organizations are now operating by forming teams and discovering a new kind of an organization -- an organization that operates in whole, or, in part by collaboration and agreement. A team does not replace the importance of individual contributors, need to spend a great deal of time getting up and running or mean that everyone is equal. And traditionally teams are built with a group of people who will meet face-to-face at times and locations that are appropriate to fulfill its purpose. The role of the leader in such a team is to empower each individual and this is done by clearly communicating the teams’ expectations. In many situations a full team orientation is held where each member determines what part they will play and where they are headed. Everyone is told of the team’s desired outcome, goals and the expectations of management. A team puts to use the common adage; two heads are often better than one.

During the orientation team members are advised of their roles and responsibilities,...

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