Discussion Post: Reflection & Shared Practice
Working in teams, in general, can be challenging. Because of the global transformation of business, virtual teams have become more common. The success of this type of collaboration is dependent upon not only technology, but on team members' ability to adopt new ways of thinking and working. In addition, managing intercultural communication may become more profound in this type of environment. An effective virtual team aligns its mission, clarifies team members' roles, and understands differing communication styles as a means to optimize its virtual workspace.
To prepare for this Discussion:
A. Review this week's Learning Resources, especially:
B. Quintanilla, K. M., & Wahl, S. T. (2020). Business and professional communication: KEYS for workplace excellence (4th ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
• Chapter 5, "Getting to Know Your Diverse Workplace"
C. Lepsinger, R. (2012). The virtual challenge: It's more than cultural differences. People and Strategy, 35(1), 10-11.
D. Radovic-Markovic, M., Grozdanic, R., & Markovic, D. (2012). The impact of virtual culture on effective communication in virtual organizations. Metalurgia International, 17(10), 172-175.
E. TED. (Producer). (2017, October). Rocío Lorenzo: How diversity makes teams more innovative [Ted Talk Video file].
Post a cohesive response based on your analysis of the Learning Resources and your professional experience. Be sure to discuss the following:
A. Reflect on your personal experience in working in a virtual team environment (professional or academic) and analyze the influence of various dimensions of diversity on communication behaviors.
*If you do not have professional experience working in a virtual team, then reflect upon your prior sessions as a Walden University student. Although you may not have had any team-based assignments, this online learning experience mirrors many of the principles and practices of working in a virtual environment in which students are highly dependent upon each other and the professor for certain outcomes.
B. Discuss your experience working in a virtual team environment to include the logistics or mechanics of your interactions with team members (i.e., conference calls, e-mail, etc.).
C. Discuss your experience with using web-based collaboration tools; if you do not have any direct experience, discuss how you could leverage these tools in your organization.
D. Describe some of the challenges you faced and how you adapted or overcame those challenges.
E. Discuss the forms of diversity you encountered.
F. How might your virtual interactions have been different if the team members were in a co-location? Include some specific examples.
Respond to at least two of your peers' postings in one or more of the following ways:
A. Share an insight about what you learned from having read your peers' postings and discuss how and why your peer's posting resonated with you professionally and personally.
B. Offer an example from your experience or observation that validates what your peer discussed.
C. Offer specific suggestions that will help your peer build upon his or her own virtual communication.
D. Offer further assessment or insight that could impact your peer's future communications.
E. Share how something your peer discussed changed the way you view virtual teams.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.