Virtual Team Dynamics - The Ulfire Podcast

Engineering projects have been using virtual teams for over a decade to deliver major facilities and equipment, along the way they have had varied success in the outcomes of their projects. This article considers how the highly technical focus taken at the planning stage can lead to a lack of consideration of the human communication requirements for these teams to be really effective.

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The value of strong personal networks can not be underestimated in a virtual team environment. Having trusted colleagues and friends distributed around the organisation means you will get insights and support in areas you may not have ever considered previously.
You will experience fewer surprises as work progresses and, in the event of any conflicts, you will be able to access your networks to get a deeper understanding of the background to the conflicts and culturally relevant solutions.

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Podcasts are emerging as a great addition to the selection of tools available for members of virtual teams to stay in touch with each other, learn about each other's cultures and be kept appraised of project status.
With their ease of production and increasing simplification of delivery, audio files such as podcasts need to be considered as part of the mix when planning your virtual team communication strategy.

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For those undertaking an expat posting, the challenges of cultural assimilation are real and can be surprising and complex.
This article considers some of the challenges faced by a new expat when they are working to blend into their new location and understand how things work.

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Choosing the right communication technologies to support your virtual teams is critical to their ability to interact efficiently.
Having the right tools and knowing how to use them will make your teams more productive, their outcomes more predictable and should help avoid some of the conflicts typically encountered in virtual team environments.

The post Comparing Communication Technologies In Virtual Teams appeared first on ULFIRE.

Being aware of your personal beliefs and perspectives is a very important attribute in an effective communicator. Your personal beliefs will influence how you deal with others and how you communicate both one on one and in a group setting.
Building self awareness is therefore a critical skill needed by effective leaders and team members.

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Failing to communicate in a robust and effective way has been the cause of many project failures. Issues fail to get the attention they need because of the reluctance of some in the project to communicate with others and to ask for assistance where needed.
This article discusses a number of the causes of communication failures, offering suggestions for ways virtual team communications can be managed to make them more effective.

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This article explores some of the communication skills needed to successfully lead a team through the use a series of metaphors written around hand tools.
Learning to communicate in different ways, with different people.
Adapting your communication style to match the needs of the situation, and the cultural expectations of the audience, is critical for effective cross cultural leadership.
Those with a single style will suffer through a lack of flexibility and lack of empathy in their communications, it is important to learn to adapt.

The post Virtual Team Communication Toolkit appeared first on ULFIRE.

Burnout is one of the less discussed, yet most destructive side effects of many virtual teams. Due to the global nature of many virtual teams, leaders, managers and team members find themselves continually engaged with the work at hand, working both their local core hours and frequently extended hours to remain engaged with their virtual colleagues.
This article aims to discuss some of the causes of potential burnout in virtual teams and offers some solutions and suggestions for consideration.
A well rested member of a team is always more productive and able to focus on the task at hand, fatigue and the inability to switch off lead to unfocussed and over tired personnel who will struggle to remain productive.

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Teleconferences are the backbone of communication for many virtual teams, yet they are often incredibly ineffective and unproductive exercises, resulting in wasted time, disengagement of personnel and for those participating outside of their core hours, are also a major intrusion into personal time.
This article raises seven of the major problems with teleconferences and the symptoms and efficiencies they bring to the businesses using them.

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