The case “Teamwork Turmoil,” (by Hodge, Jenkins and Isabella (2007), shows how teamwork can be inefficient if one of the members of the team does not contribute. Tony Marshall, the second year business school mentor, created this learning team to primarily give students a chance to work outside of the class. In this case the learning team is self-managed, but lacks a team leader.
By appointing a leader/project manager to the group in the case, the project manager can make an agenda, arrange meetings, and help each team member reach their individual goals efficiently. In this team, there is no team leader and members are afraid to discuss the issue faced by the team. Therefore, the key issue of this team is the lack of a project manager who can make sure that the team stays focused, has good communication skills, and
...reaches their end result efficiently. The project manager will also be able to speak with the team member who does not contribute.
Alternative Courses of Action
The key issue of the team is the lack of a Project Manager/leader, who can make sure everyone, participates equally. Tony Marshall has four alternative courses of action. We believe that Tony Marshall should could have the team take the MBTI assessment in order to determine their type. They should could also participate in a team building activity that will allow them to become familiar with the similarities/differences between the team members and set ground rules. In addition, the team can divide the work equally so that one individual does not deliver for the whole team and everyone should be responsible for his o
her own individual work.
The team should could provide feedback to each other, allowing the members to improve on their weaknesses. In this particular case, the project manager can speak with Onyealisi, as he might be unaware of the negative impact caused by his lack of contribution to the team. Recommended Course of Action Our team suggests that Tony Marshall should explain to the learning group, that a team’s effectiveness depends on how well each team member understands each other’s personalities, common goals, and the leadership of the project manager.
In order to understand similarities and differences between individuals, members of the team should take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment. This will allow them to understand each other’s type, help them to develop team culture, and set ground rules. In addition, the team should appoint a project manager for each assignment, in order to reach the common goal and increase the effectiveness of the group.
Implementation
According to our recommended course of action, by giving importance to the result of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment, and distributing teamwork depending on individual strengths, the team will be able to avoid any issues it has faced in the case. Also, by maintaining open communication within the group and making sure everyone reaches their specific goal efficiently, the project manager could ensure that the assignments are completed smoothly. All members should treat each other equally and with respect. This way everyone will contribute to the assignment and the team works towards the same goal.
Critique of Case
Our analysis shows that if the background of the work team did or
allocated in this project was provided to us, it could indicate how the team worked together or how they arranged each meeting. This could have helped us figure out whether the team had problems in this procedure. What was the team’s previous group work experience and performance result? If the team had same problems or arguments as this case indicates, it might have helped us figure out the central issue of the team. Has the group tried some ways to solve the problems and/or conflicts?
If they did try to solve the existing conflicts in different ways or already used our recommended course of action, we would have suggested another way to solve the issue.
References
- Hodge, Y., Jenkins, S., & Isabella, L. A. (2007).
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