Shrinking to Fit Case Study
Case Study Paper
Learning Teams: Shrinking To Fit
Central Issue
Successful teams often have differences among their team members and may sometimes even collapse over these interpersonal conflicts. Teams must strengthen these weaknesses or recruit for the missing competencies if they are to move forward. This case depicts what could and often does happen to a team with no traditional rules of engagement or effective conflict resolution techniques.
Alternative Courses of Action
The first alternative is to maintain the status quo by allowing Spencer to continue dictating the meeting discussions while the five remaining team members remain complacent, and, in some cases, resentful of Spencer’s domination. The second alternative is to establish a set of engagement rules. This “set of engagement rules” will establish and define each team member’s roles and responsibilities, their commitment to the group, expectations from each other, and what goals they collectively have towards team accomplishment.
Finally, a third alternative in dealing with the interpersonal conflicts affecting team members is to establish strategies on teambuilding and effective interactions among team members. Applying the MBTI tool provides an outline for comprehending differences between personality types, which would encourage the team to learn about themselves and each other. This would further reinforce the team by maximizing each member’s unique strengths (e.g. enhancing each member’s unique expertise) while also minimizing weaknesses (e.g. understanding how a personality type may irritate the team).
Recommended Course of Action
We recommend the second alternative: establish a “set of engagement rules.”
Basis for Recommendation
By implementing a set of engagement rules, the team will establish a set goal. Teams need a common goal with performance metrics if they are to be successful. Moreover, to connect individual strengths and personalities, firm ground rules are
Learning Teams: Shrinking To Fit
Central Issue
Successful teams often have differences among their team members and may sometimes even collapse over these interpersonal conflicts. Teams must strengthen these weaknesses or recruit for the missing competencies if they are to move forward. This case depicts what could and often does happen to a team with no traditional rules of engagement or effective conflict resolution techniques.
Alternative Courses of Action
The first alternative is to maintain the status quo by allowing Spencer to continue dictating the meeting discussions while the five remaining team members remain complacent, and, in some cases, resentful of Spencer’s domination. The second alternative is to establish a set of engagement rules. This “set of engagement rules” will establish and define each team member’s roles and responsibilities, their commitment to the group, expectations from each other, and what goals they collectively have towards team accomplishment.
Finally, a third alternative in dealing with the interpersonal conflicts affecting team members is to establish strategies on teambuilding and effective interactions among team members. Applying the MBTI tool provides an outline for comprehending differences between personality types, which would encourage the team to learn about themselves and each other. This would further reinforce the team by maximizing each member’s unique strengths (e.g. enhancing each member’s unique expertise) while also minimizing weaknesses (e.g. understanding how a personality type may irritate the team).
Recommended Course of Action
We recommend the second alternative: establish a “set of engagement rules.”
Basis for Recommendation
By implementing a set of engagement rules, the team will establish a set goal. Teams need a common goal with performance metrics if they are to be successful. Moreover, to connect individual strengths and personalities, firm ground rules are
References: Hirsh, Elizabeth, Katherine, Sandra. (Second Edition). Introduction to Type and Teams. Mountain View, CA: CPP, Inc. Russell, S., & Yemen, G. (2005). Learning Teams: Shrinking To Fit (A). Darden Business Publishing, 1-5. doi: UVA-OB-0839 Unknown. (2006). Essentials for an Effective Team: The Foundation of Success. Harvard Business School Press, 1-16.