Virtual Teams

A virtual team is any team whose member interactions are mediated by time, distance, and technology. Although virtual teams do spend time face-to-face, the majority of communication is done via communication technology. The use of communication technology has both positive and negative effects.
(+) improved speed and dispersion of communication, increased access to information, easier connections to others, and improved planning and decision making
(-) information overload, inconsistent access, decreased face-to-face communication, disrupted organizational relations, and increased isolation

Communication technology requires new communication norms to prevent miscommunication or frustration. For instance: regulating email length, acknowledging a question asked/information requested within 24 hours, and labeling emotions are good examples of norms. Another aspect hurt by communication technology that needs to be addressed is building social relationships. The lack of face-to-face contact increases anonymity, which can decrease group cohesion and cooperation.

So what?
My team worked as a virtual team during the Maroon-Orange Card Game in which teams chose a color to trade with another team. The color of the card given and recieved determined the points given. We traded 4 times with another team and ended up with more points than them, but not enough to win overall. We used a forum on Scholar, school website, to discuss our choice and reasoning. Our first round went pretty well with discussion but then things fell through in the later rounds due to misunderstanding of decision deadlines. It also wasn't optimal on a Scholar forum because it doesn't give a notification whenever someone posts, so unless you clicked on the forum you didn't know that someone had posted. The forum discussion also didn't include praise or encouragement which is suggested to build social relationships, which can be attributed to the task at hand because it didn't require much encouragement and we already have relationships.

Now what?
When we use communication technology it is important that we use a method that sends notifications whenever someone posts, such as Facebook or emailing, and for the communication norms to be practiced at all times to decrease the occurrence of miscommunication and reduce frustration. It is also important to set a positive tone through praise and encouragement to facilitate the building of social relationships. Social relationships can also be benefited by creating a shared identity through collaborative technology, such as Google docs.

Conflict

Contrary to popular belief, conflict is normal and can even be healthy. A conflict is healthy, if it: focuses on task issues or is based on a legitimate difference in opinion, values, perspectives, or expectations about the impact of decisions. It will be unhealthy, if it involves: competition, poorly run meetings, bad communication, personal grudges, and conflict between individual and group goals. Finding the root of the conflict is important, because the team should not waste time dealing with only the symptoms. The best way to resolve conflicts is collaboratively, which involves both sides of a conflict searching for a solution that satisfies everyone. This resolution style requires cooperativeness and respect for others. When tensions are high it is hard to use this resolution style, but with practice it becomes easier.

So what?

My team has recently faced a major conflict. Our problem stems from two members that the team feels are not pulling their fair share of the weight. We did not avoid the problem, but we made the mistake of using emails which just increased tension because written word is often interpreted to be more negative than what is intended. During class, we addressed the problem face-to-face and things went a lot better, but the team was still not very happy with the two members' comments. We felt that they were blame-shifting and not taking responsibility for their actions, but since it is a difference in opinion we had to move forward.

Now what?

It is important for the team to treat these two members as if the past didn't happen, otherwise the grudges will interfere with future performance and harbor inappropriate criticism. The team will also improve communication, in order too eliminate the possibility of an excuse. If the problem continues then we will re-address the issue. Since this source of conflict is due to personality differences/poor social relations, we need to work on improving our social relations by doing team building exercises, especially since the two members addressed their feelings of being outcasted.