In my opinion what is specific about working in the virtual space is the need for a public declaration of context.
A group has a context, which can be best viewed as its culture. As the group’s quest, the pursuit of something worthwhile.
An individual has a context. It’s made up of his experiences, his history and believes. The public representation of this, is his reputation. This is also directly linked to personal branding:
“Personal branding, expressing what you are about, what you are thinking, is almost like a publication of your own mental model. It makes it easier for the other party to understand you. It makes it easier to synchronize mental models.”
To run efficient virtual teams you really have to go through all the elements that make up this group, and communicate the digitally. You have to identify commonalities between the group members that strengthen the group. Use this to emphasize a group identity. Adopt common language that sets the team apart from other teams. It’s important to have the rules of engagement established at the beginning of the project. How do we interact? How are our meetings structured?
An exciting project, a WOW project, will attract certain individuals. What one thinks is a hot cause, another individual might find boring. A public declaration of cause and culture functions as an attractor for “the right people”. Do you think this group is a good match for you?
Not everyone can join a group of course. There is some door policy. The reputation of the individual determines if he me enter or not. Does the group think are you a good match.
In respect to the balance of Homogeneity vs Diversity:
“Diversity creates different viewpoints, different ways of problem solving, other ways of looking at the world in general. … Diversity creates resilience. Homogeneity makes sure the group operates as one. Providing a common understanding, shared beliefs and having a culture ensures the group stays together in rough times and communicates effectively.”
The context of the group determines cohesion.
The context of each individual determines resilience.
Bas, Well explained. The goals of an individual must be in harmony with the group. This is only possible if the group culture (an emerging property of group interactions) is aligned with the individual goals, values and beliefs. The more the two contexts of groups and individuals overlap, the greater the sweet spot is and the more is possible to build trust and cooperation.
I hope I understood you right.
Exactly, Ali! And to be able to make this work in a digital/global environment, we’ll need to “publish” our context for this mechanism to work.