A Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams

CHAPTER 4Developing Accountability in a Virtual World

Accountability is like the fuel flowing through the engine of the team. It is the essential bond that enables the team to operate successfully. Team members must have faith in their colleagues’ ability to deliver. This is true for all types of teams, and even more so in the virtual world, where bonds are more fragile. Without accountability, a virtual team will most likely fragment and not fulfill its goals. Without accountability in the virtual environment it is difficult, if not impossible, to carry on.

But what exactly is accountability? How is it tied to factors that make the team function or, lacking these factors, perform poorly?

Simply put, accountability is the act of taking responsibility ...