Leveraging the currency of trust in virtual teams : Being a better leader builds confident performance in distributed individuals

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This research paper uses responses from social sciences university students in Romania to highlight issues in virtual team working. Ways that trust is built in virtual teams are examined, together with how the personality trait openness to experience can impact virtual team performance. The questionnaire data findings reveal that experiencing trust and leadership-based challenges made the students less willing to work as a virtual team, and less confident that such a team would perform well. Those who were most open to experience were most critical in highlighting the downside of working in virtual teams. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.