BUS FPX 4011 Assessment 3

Introduction

Trust is a foundation in leadership, especially when it comes to virtual teams where managers aim to earn the respect and trust of their team members.  Trust can be either built or destroyed by behaviors displayed by leaders, highlighting the need for good leadership principles.

Important Elements for Success

The right leadership, team dynamics, technology leverage, and strategic touchpoints are all essential to virtual team success.

The Right Leadership

Virtual leadership is advantaged by having individuals with past supervisory experience because qualities successful in face-to-face interactions tend to work equally well. 

Trust and empathy are most important to establish, and video features play a crucial role in helping connections be built. 

The Right Team

Evaluation of team members’ strengths and weaknesses, combined with coaching and peer training, is crucial to team effectiveness.  Reassignment or replacement of members in instances of ineffectiveness might be called for to sustain momentum.

The Right Technology

Using technology that enables interaction and blends different communication channels is crucial to virtual teams.  A feeling of culture and cohesiveness is developed when the platform is turned into a focal point for team activities.

The Right Touchpoints

Involvement at critical points, as discerned by managers, is the key to team success. Harnessing visual cues such as body language and eye contact, as well as developing long-term relationships, plays a key role in building trust.

Behaviors That Build Trust

The following behaviors are used in building trust within virtual teams: harnessing swift trust, establishing clear expectations, deliberate communication, empowering team members, building individual engagement, socialization, and channeling constructive criticism.

Behaviors That Undermine Trust

In contrast, behaviors like isolating team members, gossiping, serving self-interest, reciprocating negative behaviors, scapegoating, overcontrol, and poor hiring choices can undermine trust in virtual teams.

Principles of Effective Leadership in Virtual Teams

Self-management, effective communication, accountability, visionary leadership, effective management of complexity, and encouraging teamwork are essential principles of effective virtual team leadership.

Conclusion

Strong leadership, exemplified by good behaviors and a climate of trust, is vital for developing successful virtual teams.

BUS FPX 4011 Assessment 3 Leadership and Trust in Virtual Teams 

Kylefalk, I., & Hallberg, L. (2020).  Multi-Site Leadership: Coordinating and Leading Virtual Teams. https://doi.org

65. Scott. (2019).  Radical candor: Be a kick-ass boss without losing your humanity.  Pg 64-65.  St. Martin’s Press. New York. ISBN http://scaling4growth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Radical-Candor.pdf

Yu, X., Shen, Y., & Khazanchi, D. (2021).  In Virtual Teams with Fast Response, Quick Trust, and Sensemaking Journal of Computer Information Systems, 1-16.

https://doi.org/10.1080/08874417.2021.1978114