In any successful virtual team, establishing trust between team members is crucial to achieving a high level of performance. However, trust is a complex concept that can be challenging to manage. It’s not something that can be seen, heard, or quantified, and it exists on a spectrum, ranging from very low to very high.
So, what is trust, and how can it be developed in a virtual environment? In this blog post, we’ll explore the definition of trust and introduce a simple formula for increasing trust within a virtual team.
Defining Trust in Virtual Teams
Trust can be defined as “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” However, this definition doesn’t fully capture the nebulous nature of trust. It’s not an on/off switch that can be turned on or off; instead, it exists on a spectrum, with varying degrees of trust.
Trust is essential to the success of virtual teams. High levels of trust between team members lead to increased productivity and a positive team dynamic. Conversely, low levels of trust can result in a lack of commitment, poor team performance, and negative energy among the team.
The Secret Formula for Building Trust in Virtual Teams
Building trust in a virtual team can be a complicated process, but there is a simple formula that can help guide your efforts. Trust can be calculated as the sum of reliability and likeability. In other words:
Trust = Reliability + Likeability
To increase trust among team members, you need to increase the level of reliability or likeability, or both.
Increasing Reliability in Virtual Teams
Reliability is the degree to which team members can depend on each other to meet their commitments. In a virtual team, reliability can be established by:
- Setting clear expectations: Clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and deadlines helps team members understand what is expected of them.
- Communicating frequently: Regular communication helps team members stay informed and aware of progress and potential roadblocks.
- Following through on commitments: Team members need to follow through on their commitments consistently to establish trust.
- Being transparent: Transparency about progress and potential issues helps team members anticipate problems and take corrective action before they become major issues.
Increasing Likeability in Virtual Teams
Likeability is the degree to which team members enjoy working with each other. In a virtual team, likeability can be established by:
- Getting to know each other: Take time to get to know your virtual team members on a personal level. Schedule regular virtual social events or team-building activities to promote camaraderie.
- Showing appreciation: Regularly recognize team members’ contributions and achievements to show that their work is valued.
- Practicing empathy: Show understanding and support for team members’ challenges and experiences.
- Having a positive attitude: A positive attitude can be contagious and can help promote a positive team dynamic.
Conclusion
Trust is a critical component of virtual teams, and establishing high levels of trust can lead to increased productivity and positive team dynamics. By focusing on increasing reliability and likeability, virtual team members can establish and maintain trust, even when working remotely.
If you’d like to learn more, check out “Influencing Virtual Teams”
