Stage 1 - Orientation
Why am I here?
Team members must first orient themselves successfully to the team environment. During this initial stage, team members are curious about their purpose and how they will fit into the team structure while still maintaining their individuality. This answers the key question in stage 1: why am I here? (Sibbet, 2011).
Virtual Tools and the Virtual Team
In the virtual team environment, due to the nature of being in remote locations, team members are primarily conducting business through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as teleconferencing, videoconferencing or other means of electronic messaging and groupware (Bower, Reid, Barry, & Ibbotson, 2000; Sibbet, 2011). ICTs are used for team communication, productivity tools, and to deliver project outcomes.
While the use of ICTs is becoming more commonplace and widely accepted by most organizational members, a large number of people still lack the knowledge or experience to effectively participate in team activities through these electronic mediums. Since communication is critical for task orientation as well as relational connectivity, it is imperative that all members of the team gain a comfort level with computer mediated communication (CMC) (Heinemann, 2011).
CLICK HERE for Sibbet's (2011) visual model of communication methods used in virtual teams.
CLICK HERE for Sibbet's (2011) visual model of communication methods used in virtual teams.
Challenges of Computer Mediated Communication
When all team members are comparable in their comfort levels with computer mediated communication, online communicators have been identified to be just as motivated to perform as face to face team members (Walther, 1992). In fact, social information processing theory (SIPT) argues that given enough time, online collaborators develop heightened interpersonal connections as compared to their face to face counterparts due to the accumulation of text based messaging conducted through computer mediated communication methods (Walther, 1992). Disparity in computer mediated communication skills can lead to members disengaging from their team or biasing their information sharing activities with members who demonstrate similar levels of skills (Bazarova, & Walther, 2009).
Virtual team members have an added responsibility in Stage 1 of creating a common ground of understanding in the use of ICTs to ensure that team members attend virtual meetings, maintain connection with the group and possess the necessary technical expertise to demonstrate their presence as a part of the team.
With a solid, shared understanding of computer mediated communication, team members can effectively convey their virtual presence, confirm their collective purpose and substantiate each members’ individual role in the group. A lack of effective understanding of the purpose or feelings of misplacement within the team environment could create feelings of disorientation, uncertainty or fear (Sibbet, 2011) which has a negative effect on the trust building process that is critical for ongoing team performance.
If Stage 1, Orientation, is unresolved...
If Stage 1, Orientation, is unresolved...
Stage 1 is the critical launching pad for a team's success. If team members are not successfully oriented, the following undesirable results could occur:
- Disorientation can occur if members are not completely sure why they are in the group or what value they bring to the table.
- Uncertainty can result if members are not experiencing personal value or worth.
- Fear of failure, not measuring up, or not being recognized or accepted into the group is a possibility if members are not embraced into the group and reassured of their potential contributions.
CLICK HERE for guidance on team assessment and what to do when a stage's core question is unresolved.
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