SAT2 Leadership - Team Evaluation

1.Identify your team’s goals.

Creating a leadership; handbook was a very large and detail oriented undertaking. To complete the task at hand our team needed to be very organized and stick to a very strict plan. Our first step was to clearly define the goals for our team and delegate roles for each member. We identified the following four goals that we would accomplish by the end of our project:

1. To evaluate how essential teamwork is to be effective in successfully completing a task. 2. To apply the process of team development throughout this task and decide as a team on the best recommended means of communication to utilize and the best decision-making technique to practice. 3. To utilize techniques on conflict resolution, influence strategies and motivation strategies within the team when the need arises. 4. To create a comprehensive leadership handbook as a team.

a. Discuss how your team achieved or did not achieve its goals.

Our team worked together to assure that all goals that we set out were in the end accomplished. The first, and most important task at hand was to create a leadership handbook, which we completed within 2 short weeks. The bi-products of working together to accomplish this feat, were the other goals mentioned.
From the first meeting we constantly worked to apply the process of team development throughout the task. We decided early on via a general consensus how we would communicate and how often. Our decision making technique was established through this process as well, as we decided on majority rule.

Out third goal was to utilize techniques on conflict resolution, influence strategies and motivation strategies if and when they arose. Fortunately there were rare times when conflict did arise, so we succeeded in that aspect.

Our final goal was to evaluate how essential teamwork is to be effective in successfully completing a task. This part was an individual reflection on the goal at hand. Through looking back at the process, we each took time to evaluate the teamwork and our part in the success of our handbook completion. This current summary hallmarks the process in retrospective. With that being the case, we have successfully reached all of our outline goals.

2.Identify two or more specific motivation strategies or theories that were agreed to in the team contract
a. Analyze how effectively your team utilized the identified motivation strategies or theories, OR, if your team did not use one of the strategies or theories, provide a brief discussion on how your team could have used each strategy or theory to improve team performance.

We agreed from day 1 that we would practice Recognition and Pride as well as coaching as forms of motivation. We all recognized each other’s contribution to the team. Our team leader did a great job at keeping the team motivated. She utilized some of the techniques that are also described in our handbook such as praise when things were done and always thanking team members for their contributions. She always volunteered to remove obstacles when they arose and led the team effectively. Everyone had a role to play.

3. Identify two or more specific influence strategies or theories that were agreed to in the team contract.
a. Analyze how effectively your team utilized the identified strategies or theories to exert influence over the team outcomes or deliverables, OR, if your team did not use one of the strategies or theories, provide a brief discussion on how your team could have used each strategy or theory to improve team performance.

There are several influence strategies that our team identified and utilized during this process. We vowed to all lead by example, practice hands-on leadership and take ownership of this task. Although we had a team leader assigned to our group, we all stepped up and lead by example. We respected each other and collaborated as a team. These measures positively influenced the team to do great and excel. Each member as promised, acted as a team player at all times. We placed the best interest of all above ourselves, which motivated those of us with busy schedules to give our 110%.

4.Discuss the effectiveness of your team’s communication plan as written in the Team Contract, referencing examples from the team experience.

Our team had a clear and open communication plan. This was imperative so that the team, who was not located in a close proximity could work well together. The team needed to establish clear communication channels to allow the team members to share their opinions and contributions. We agreed that the best method of communication for all was a combination of email and text. We had one conference call, where each team member had the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas to the rest of the team. We did a good job of supporting each other’s ideas, while also providing objective feedback. Another method we used was having the group leader email reminders of due dates for tasks.

For communication and file sharing, we utilized our WGU email. This was effective, despite that everyone didn’t check their emails every day. The group was still responsive when needed, and would follow up with text message when urgent. We did a successful job in communicate throughout the process, and adhered to our team plan.

5. Identify two or more specific conflict-resolution strategies or theories that were agreed to in the team contract.
a. Reflect on the effectiveness of the use of the conflict-resolution strategies or theories, referencing examples from the team experience, OR, if your team did not use one of the strategies or theories, provide a brief discussion on how your team could have used each strategy or theory to improve team performance.

It is essential to manage conflict within the team. In case a team member was not able to attend meetings or not able to complete assigned work in a timely fashion, then the group was prepared to discuss the concerns. The whole team would be involved in conflict discussion. We allowed open communication to have a resolution. We agreed that if need be we would utilize confrontation and problem solving as an option. Another strategy was negotiating and bargaining. Luckily, our team was never faced with any conflict and we all worked diligently and

6. Discuss how you could have improved the team’s performance.

Overall, our team was a great team, but I felt that we could have improved the team’s performance. As working adults, there were times when our team found ourselves very absorbed in life and busy. We decided upon only one touch point by conference call. It probably would have been more efficient if we opted to at least have one more phone call. This call could have been a wrap up, to make sure that everyone was on the same page and ensure that everyone had their personal pieces done to assist in completing all elements of the assignment. We predominantly focused on the group assignment and didn’t pay much attention to what was needed on an individual level.
Another way we could have improved the team’s performance was to start earlier in the month. We started almost midmonth, which reduced the time we had to completion. Though we had great content, there was no time for all members of the group to carefully evaluate the whole compellation and comment before submission.