The Forgotten Group Member Free Essays

Case Study 7: The Forgotten Group Member Developed by Franklin Ramsoomair, Wilfred Laurier University The group is in storming stage right now. Every member of the group is in tension. Unannounced meeting shows that they are forming cliques. We will write a custom essay sample on The Forgotten Group Member or any similar topic only for you Order Now They could have easily informed every member of the group to discuss the project. Christine, the leader of the group could have managed the team in a better way. Group in this stage need more communication, training, supervision, and controlling. But she did not provide any of it. Knowing the stages of group development was also an issue within Christine’s team. The team never went through the forming stage. They never got to know one another. Clear expectations were not set amongst the group. Frankly, Christine probably wasn’t a good pick for the team lead because of the ongoing distractions she was experiencing with her grades in school. That was more important to her, not the team’s success. Janet or Steve would have been a better choice for the team’s leader. Basically, this group never got passed the storming stage. Christine never took the time to evaluate the situation. She just preceded status quo. The group is facing many problems. The main problem is, Christine is not an effective leader for the group. She didn’t assign work to the team or we can say the team never went through the forming stage. They never got to know each other. Even Christine did not know her team very well and did not take any steps to improve it. No clear work was assigned to the team members, no meeting were set in advance. Christine failed to cater to everyone’s need within the group which was evident because necessary steps weren’t taken to ensure Mike would be able to join the team for meetings. Christine failed to pack them in. Had she paired Mike up with Janet whose more reliable and always over achieve when it comes to the group Mike would not have felt excluded from the group. She could have even paired Mike with Steve who’s more businesslike being that he ensures that things are on point and according to plan for the teams meetings. She failed to promote creativity and definitely lacked communication within the group. With the latest technology, other means of communication should have been used as a resource. She could have suggested or used video conferencing, teleconference, or simply resulted to a simple email or chat to delegate tasks for the group’s project which ties into the constant communication with the group. Communication can make or break any relationship, especially in the workplace. The failed communication was evident when members didn’t know the team was meeting. Everyone should have been informed of all upcoming meetings well in advance so they would have been prepared to be in attendance and effectively contribute to the team’s project during the meetings. This could have promoted creativity, innovation, and initiative amongst all group members which would have resulted in group motivation. Christine did more managing tasks and not leading the group. A good leader would do things somewhat differently when compared to a manager. I’d prefer a leader when picking someone to build a team for this task based on my thread earlier. I personally think that leaders have more motivational traits versus managers. I have been in both shoes. To summarize the difference between Christine’s traits versus that of an effective leader I have provided a useful table that will help summarize the differences and really drive home what it takes to be an effective leader. Upon reviewing the characteristics below of a leader versus a manager by subject matter you will get a clearer picture. This is a very useful table that I came across while researching this topic for our class discussion threads. Based on this information, managers tend to have more demotivating traits while leaders have more motivating traits. I would rather have a leader! How to cite The Forgotten Group Member, Papers The Forgotten Group Member Free Essays How could an understanding of the stages of group development assist Christine in leadership situations such as this one? Christine’s leadership abilities could benefit by having knowledge of the stages of group development. Even though for the first meeting Mike was not able to be present and participate with the other group members. As a leader, Christine could have motivated Mike should have told him the importance of being present for all the group meetings so he can be part of the team. We will write a custom essay sample on The Forgotten Group Member or any similar topic only for you Order Now For example, at the lunch room incident when Mike walked away, she could have talked with him individually and explained to him that she perceives that he does not feel welcome and has been avoiding team meetings, instead of saying that they just happened to run into each others. Christine should have told him the importance of attending on a meeting and the benefits of him putting more effort and enthusiastic to the group meetings. Christine should also let him know that all his contributions and all his ideas could contribute and add value to the team. She could also indicate that the team’s success will only be possible when every member gives support and contributes. If Christine follows those steps she could push Mike to be more secure and be able to join the group during the forming stage and hopefully move quickly to the norming and then performing stages. What should Christine understand about individual membership in group in order to build group processes that are supportive of her work group’s performance? Christine as group leader should understand that the every person has different personalities and that people need to blend in the group by putting effort to combine their needs and the group could shine to express and receive feelings of inclusion, control and affection because those points are important to the success of the team. Christine should focus more motivation. In this way the group members can emphasis more on their skills and task assigned for the project motivation by this we mean their inclination or motivation to do their jobs earning a good great and importantly to add value to whatever it is that the group does. Motivation is a key factor for making people’s success. Christine can build group process addressing those needs. For example, since Mike initially revealed himself as a class clown, she could ask Mike to be creative and contribute his sense of humor to the project at the time of the presentation of the  case. 3. Is Christine and effective group leader in this case? Why or Why not? I think Christine it is a good leader because she pushed the group to do the work and to get together, even though I think every member should put their own motivation and effort to get together because they are adult enough and mature to see what should be a priority in their life. Christine should organized the tine for them to get together and organized the group project not to be in their behind like if she was their mother. I think Mike it is he problem in the group because he does not show any responsibility for the other group members. Mike looks like if he does not care. I think when people sing in for a class should show more responsibilities and should leave their personal life aside when it comes to school projects and assignments. However, I think Christine should push the group members to put more motivation and get more time to organize the project. Also, Christine should communicate in a better way by give a deadline to turn in their part of the assignment to her the group leader. How to cite The Forgotten Group Member, Papers