Page 253 - Managing the Mobile Workforce

232 � mAnAgIng the moBIle workForCe

has said that the norming process occurs as new standards evolve, new
roles are adopted, and cohesiveness develops after the team forms and
storms. That’s true, but team members often begin to understand team
expectations even before joining the organization. Good leaders often
set standards before accepting a new member into the team. You know
what you are getting into when you decide to join the Navy Seals, for
example, and you start to change or adapt your standards of perfor-
mance well before you ever step foot on the base.
Starting the norming process for virtual teams is even more im-
portant. Often virtual teams come together very quickly for specific
purposes, and leaders must be prepared to be specific about expec-
tations for communication and collaboration, including frequency:
when to use particular types of communication, such as e-mail, voice-
mail, instant messaging, collaborative tools, or video conferencing;
what the quality and timing of deliverables will be; how conflict will
be resolved; how meetings will be run; and what processes the team
will use.
Team performance expectations also need to be set before the team
is formed. During that time the leader negotiates with management
about what the specific mission of the team will be, what is to be ac-