By looking into the different outcomes for two teams, I answered question from four aspects and made recommendations on each aspect for what we can do when leading a team.
Analysis and Recommendations
1. Group Design
When Coach P. formed two groups, each member accepted individual analysis from skills to strength. Eight best were put in Varsity team and eight worst in JV. Coach P. didn’t set specified goal for both teams. Different from JV who could easily find target like skill improvement, team performance, Varsity, which already had eight best athletes, automatically standing on high start-line, having more difficult on setting specific target by themselves. Their target was vague – since their victory was merited, waiting for coach to set a goal might be what they were thinking. Therefore, when JV team beat V team, it was unexpected for V team and blaming each other is a normal reaction for such situation. When failure came again, the trust in V team crashed. A clear task can help a group quickly into work state, find the most effective way for communication and build up trust. Although for some group, it’s better for members to find their task by themselves, it’s not guaranteed. My recommendation is providing helpful information for a group setting a goal, monitoring the process and offering help when necessary, especially for a new group.
2. Group Culture
As time passed, a culture “nothing to loss” formed within JV. This culture brought a positive attitude toward mistake made in competition. Meanwhile, no opening talks in Varsity. Poking others’ fault was culture for V team. Members relied on coach to coordinate conflict and Coach P. realized nothing about this serious problem until nearly before championship. Group culture can bring cohesion or problems, and it is difficult to change after a culture is formed. When leading a team, my recommendation is that, as a leader, one should involve into group culture, being a part of it. If any