According to Ferrazzi (2012), the key to effective communications is not the amount of communication but the quality of it. Virtual team leaders who have experienced issues in the past with employees being overwhelmed by information overload can reduce the number of meetings held and e-mails sent each week and focus more on effective quality communication. While effective communication is key in companies with workplace diversity, predictable communication patterns can help virtual team leaders establish trust within their teams. In a study of virtual teams, researchers found that groups ailing in trust tend to have unpredictable communication patterns, often with just one or two individuals representing the bulk of the communications (Ferrazzi, 2012). In my own personal opinion, leaders of virtual teams should manage communication with a view to fostering cohesion while conveying to staff the feeling they work in a supportive environment. When that type of communication is transmitted and understood by others, leaders are able to build trust in a virtual workplace.
Conclusion
In conclusion, successful teamwork in virtual teams is built on a foundation of trust that is developed through consistent and meaningful communication. Without a sense of trust, true collaboration within a virtual team environment will be difficult to develop. A collaborative and trusting virtual team environment allow team members to share personal information and develop a stronger bond with their leader and other employees. While effective communication is key in building trust within a virtual team environment, the quality of communication is much more important than the quantity of