Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams

Chapter 13Creative Problem Solving for Virtual Teams

If there is anything that a man can do well, I say let him do it. Give him a chance.

—Abraham Lincoln

The key to motivating virtual team members is empowered autonomy. But unless it is managed properly, a high degree of participation in decision-making and problem-solving activities by individuals spread all over space, time, and culture can be confusing, if not counterproductive. How does the virtual team manager provide appropriate coordination of these activities without inappropriate control? We discussed one critical method—boundary conditions—earlier in the book.

When a leader empowers team members to solve problems within certain parameters such as budgets, deadlines, and technology ...