Virtual Teams For Dummies

Chapter 4

Planning Ahead for Your Team’s Success

IN THIS CHAPTER

Specifying your team purpose and values

Selecting a team framework

Focusing on team goals

Examining team member roles

Not surprisingly leading a virtual team versus a co-located team (one whose team members are all located in the same office) has similarities and differences. Many best practices for building a strong co-located team cross over to virtual teams, such as having a clear purpose for why the team exists, a set of strong values that team members agree to operate by, and clearly stated and understood team goals and priorities. Another common best practice is to ensure that team members understand their roles and responsibilities and how they impact each other’s success.

Although these foundational best practices are important on both co-located and virtual teams, the amount of focus, attention, and adherence to these practices is what’s integral when working and leading virtually.

This chapter discusses and assesses foundational best practices that build strong teams and how they differ with virtual teams. ...