Ason Blair Case
Over a six-week period, a task force led by Bacon performed an analysis and prepared a presentation for a group of market managers. As the case takes us through the sequence of events, a few problems and issues arose. I will break down and explain what I believe were the main problems facing Bacon, what the root causes of these problems were, and what he should do in both the short term and long term to rectify these problems.
What are the main problems facing Bacon?
There are three main problems facing Bacon: 1. The first problem relates to the team dynamics. Bacon failed to organize the task force around team processes. The task force was not cohesive and did not develop the trust needed for a highly effective team. 2. The second problem relates to the power and influence of the task force. Individually, members of the task force had various sources of power but Bacon did not manage and leverage this power. In addition, Bacon did not effectively prepare the task force to influence and persuade the market managers. 3. The third problem relates to conflict. The relationship conflict between Bacon and Meir was problematic as Meir was not engaged with the task force and continued to work independently. In addition, Meir did not respect Bacon’s authority as chairman of the task force.
What are the root causes of problems?
Team Dynamics
Starting with the initial task force meeting, Bacon did not establish roles, rules or goals and objectives for the team. To be an effective team, Bacon should have implemented a process for the task force to develop as a team. McShane notes that teams working together develop norms, cohesion, and trust, collectively known as team processes. These team processes would enable members of the task force to get to know one another, trust each other, understand and agree on their respective roles, discover appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, and learn how to coordinate (McShane and Von Glinow, 2013). As members learn
What are the main problems facing Bacon?
There are three main problems facing Bacon: 1. The first problem relates to the team dynamics. Bacon failed to organize the task force around team processes. The task force was not cohesive and did not develop the trust needed for a highly effective team. 2. The second problem relates to the power and influence of the task force. Individually, members of the task force had various sources of power but Bacon did not manage and leverage this power. In addition, Bacon did not effectively prepare the task force to influence and persuade the market managers. 3. The third problem relates to conflict. The relationship conflict between Bacon and Meir was problematic as Meir was not engaged with the task force and continued to work independently. In addition, Meir did not respect Bacon’s authority as chairman of the task force.
What are the root causes of problems?
Team Dynamics
Starting with the initial task force meeting, Bacon did not establish roles, rules or goals and objectives for the team. To be an effective team, Bacon should have implemented a process for the task force to develop as a team. McShane notes that teams working together develop norms, cohesion, and trust, collectively known as team processes. These team processes would enable members of the task force to get to know one another, trust each other, understand and agree on their respective roles, discover appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, and learn how to coordinate (McShane and Von Glinow, 2013). As members learn
References: McShane, Steven L., and Mary Ann Von Glinow. 2013. Organization Behavior: Emerging Knowledge, Global Reality. 6th ed. McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Gratton & Erickson (2007, November). "8 Ways to Build Collaborative Teams." Harvard Business Review