Virtual Team Success: A Practical Guide for Working and Leading from a Distance.

More and more companies are having employees report to work virtually. Less company overhead and hiring the best person for the job regardless of their location are just two of the many advantages. It is not only within the same company that virtual team must work together. Technology has contributed to cross collaboration among different organizations, which could be located across the country or globe, forming teams to get projects completed. For those of us involved in any type of virtual teams, Richard Lepsinger and Darleen Derosa’s book “Virtual Team Success: A Practical Guide for Working and Leading from a Distance” is a fantastic guide for success.

In “Virtual Team Success,” the authors performed a comprehensive study on virtual teams. Data showed 25% of virtual teams are not performing effectively. Sadly, many organizations are not even aware of their virtual teams’ lack of performance. Lack of in person contact, team members on more than one virtual team, and — what I find the most interesting — lack of virtual team training, were cited as virtual team challenges. I am part of a virtual team and can empathize with the author’s findings. Fear not, the authors also provide data on what things virtual teams are doing to be successful and some helpful suggestions on running virtual meetings. For anybody in any type of virtual team environment, this book is a must read.

Virtual Team Success: A Practical Guide for Working and Leading from a Distance. Richard Lepsinger & Darleen Derosa. Jossey-Bass; San Fransisco, CA. 2010. 224 pages