Virtual Team Leaders
Characteristics of an Effective Virtual Team Leader
The main characteristic of an effective virtual team leader is communication (Lepsinger & DeRosa, 2010). Without communication between the team leader and team members, achieving the team’s goal would be challenging. Therefore, communication should flow both ways. For example, a team working on developing software would require effective communication on the software requirements, deliverables, and expected completion time. If there is a communication breakdown, the end product would most likely be missing some software requirements, some modules might be delivered late, or some resources would be under-utilized. The project would then be termed unsuccessful. Other characteristics are required to make a virtual team leader effective. These include being results-oriented and building trust and relationships (Lepsinger & DeRosa, 2010). This combination is important in ensuring that a project is successful. Therefore, I agree that the authors’ characteristics of an effective virtual team leader are important.
Challenges Faced by Virtual Team Leaders
These challenges include managing team members’ poor performance, time constraints, lack of a highly interactive environment, inadequate resources, and less face-to-face communication time (Lepsinger & DeRosa, 2010). Regarding managing poor performance, as a virtual team leader, I would communicate effectively with each team member and explain what is expected from them. This would ensure that each individual works on their deliverable; hence, the teams’ performance would be optimal. Next, I would manage the time constraint challenge by ensuring I only work on the number of projects I can effectively manage at a given period. A highly interactive environment would be achieved by having physical meetings between team members within the same geographical area and then proceeding to have a virtual meeting with team members from other regions. This would also increase physical contact.
References
Lepsinger, R., & Derosa, D. (2010). Virtual Team Success: A Practical Guide for Working and Leading from a Distance. John Wiley & Sons.
Book URL: Notes are put together.
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Question 
Discuss the characteristics of an effective virtual team leader (with examples). Do you agree with the authors (of our textbook) on the importance of these characteristics – Why or why not?
Virtual Team Leaders
Based on Chapter 5, what are the main challenges faced by Virtual Leaders? How would you respond to these challenges if you were a virtual leader?