Successful Leadership Of Virtual Teams: Challenges And Best Practices

Managing the activities of remote employees and teams is key in today's globalized world. Advances in communication technology have enabled virtual interaction to the extent that it has now become commonplace. However, lack of physical interaction and face-to-face contact can be a complicated experience for any communicator. Are the rules for remote employees or virtual teams different? Is managing a remote team different than managing a conventional office team? What should a virtual team leader do? How can employees and managers produce quality work under these circumstances? How can they prepare to cope in this remote team situation? These are the issues that this paper will address. Our research employs methods that combine logic, deduction and induction. The research's theoretical and methodological basis is determined by a systematic approach that allowed defining the precise scope of this paper by means of a literature review. Although over the last decades a considerable amount of research concerning virtual teams can be found, there are still significant gaps in our understanding, particularly in regard to remote work leadership. The paper analyzes the specific challenges faced by the remote employees. In order to manage the entire team efficiently, a leader needs to consider those challenges. Managers must be ready to start leading remote employees. Virtual teams and remote work are the future we all must get ready for.