Being Present in a Virtual World: Improving the Effectiveness of Virtual Teams

ABSTRACT

Virtual teams existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet organizations may have taken them for granted by assuming employees could easily adapt to virtual work if needed. Many were ill-prepared to deal with the challenges of virtual work during the pandemic. Others have discovered how valuable virtual teams are in maintaining operations moving forward and keeping clients satisfied. After a brief literature review on virtual teams, we share key observations about virtual teamwork during COVID-19 generated through interviews with experienced virtual team leaders from diverse backgrounds and industries. Based on these lessons learned, we close by discussing how OD scholar-practitioners can improve virtual team effectiveness and encourage organizations and their employees to embrace this way of working through becoming more present, embodied, and connected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Organization Development Review is the property of Organization Development Network and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)