Leading Virtual Teams

Academy of Management Perspectives, 2007

12 Pages Posted: 13 Dec 2014

See all articles by Arvind Malhotra

Arvind Malhotra

University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School; University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill - Management-Strategy Area

Ann Majchrzak

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business

Benson Rosen

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill - Management-Organizational Behavior Area

Date Written: December 10, 2014

Abstract

Virtual teams, whose members are geographically dispersed and cross-functional yet work on highly interdependent tasks, present unique leadership challenges. Based on our observations, interviews, and survey data, we identify six leadership practices of effective leaders of virtual teams. Specifically, we elaborate how leaders of successful virtual teams: 1) establish and maintain trust through the use of communication technology; 2) ensure that distributed diversity is understood and appreciated; 3) manage virtual work-life cycle (meetings); 4) monitor team progress using technology; 5) enhance visibility of virtual members within the team and outside in the organization; and 6) enable individual members of the virtual team to benefit from the team. These practices of virtual team leaders can be used to establish a foundation for training and developing future virtual team leaders.

Suggested Citation

Malhotra, Arvind and Majchrzak, Ann and Rosen, Benson, Leading Virtual Teams (December 10, 2014). Academy of Management Perspectives, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2536511

Arvind Malhotra

University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School ( email )

Chapel Hill, NC
United States

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill - Management-Strategy Area ( email )

Chapel Hill, NC 27599
United States

Ann Majchrzak (Contact Author)

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business ( email )

701 Exposition Blvd
Los Angeles, CA California 90089
United States

Benson Rosen

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill - Management-Organizational Behavior Area ( email )

United States

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