A631.2.5.RB - Shuck, Allison

A631.2.5.RB - Cooperation and Competition

1.      What behaviors seemed to help your team successfully complete its task?

All team members acted in accordance to what I expected. Each team member participated in the group discussion and was able to successfully complete and submitted the team charter before the collectively chosen designated date (Oct 27^th).

2.      What factors inhibited decision-making or problem-solving?

One of the problems my team encountered was successfully completing the team charter using Google Docs. Originally, Ron created a Google Docs page for the team to complete the Charter on. Google Docs has a feature that allows different people to edit and share the same document. We all agree to go to the webpage and implement our responses to the questions asked; however, when Jennifer and I attempted to access the Google Doc page, we did not have access to edit the document.  

3.      How much time was spent on decision-making and problem-solving?

Since I had no experience with Google Docs, I was unaware that the editing feature had not been enabled. Jennifer, on the other hand was able to recognize that the editing feature was not enabled and attempted to inform Ron of this by posting in the group decision board; however, Ron never responded to her post. After a few days, Jennifer and I decided to share the Team Charter document via the discussion board.

4.      How was information shared among team members?

Information sharing (via online discussion post) is the only way to communicate when participating in a virtual team. However, it is up to the individual team member to login and review the discussion posts.

5.      How did issues of authority or power affect the team?

I believe that each of my team members are leaders themselves and are willing to take the initiative when other members fall short.

6.      How did collaboration and competition influence the outcome?

After completing my Team Charter, I reviewed the decision posts to see if Ron responded to Jennifer’s post; I needed to determine where to submit my Team Charter. At that time, I found that Jennifer posted her Team Charter in the discussion board and felt that I should do the same.  

7.      Did team members make process interventions?

Yes, as mentioned above.

A631.1.5.RB - Shuck, Allison

1.      Do you see value in the EcoSeagate team development process?

Yes, Bill Watkins, the CEO of EcoSeagate sums it up in one sentence “if you do nothing, then nothing will happen, and nothing will change.” I really believe in that! Even thought the results of EcoSeagate team development process cannot be proven by numbers, the value of the process is demonstrated through teamwork. By allowing people to work together as a team in such environments, building trust, commitment and respect towards one another, EcoSeagate cooperate culture benefits and so do its employees.

2.      Why would something like this be necessary in a high-performing organization?

In a high-performing organization, teamwork is essential in order to solve complex problems. Bill Watkins’s highlights that the teamwork is not just putting people in a room together and telling then to solve a problem, it is about context. Different situation and environments determine the type of teamwork and teamwork cannot be accomplished without effective communication, cooperation, and cohesiveness.

 

3.      Could your organization benefit from a similar activity?

Yes, I believe that team development is necessary for all organizations. The team development process allows different teams within the organization to come up with new and effective ways of conducting business, how could any organization not benefit from that?

 

A few years ago, while working a Brevard Community College (BCC), I participated in team building training course called “Bake the Cake”. In this course, I was assigned a team and we were asked to make and decorate a cake that would be use as BCC’s new motto. As a team, we decided to make our cake look like a pair of sunglasses with the motto “Be cool, stay in school. BCC!” written on the frame. This course was by far one of my favorite, not only did I get to make and decorate a cake, but I go to learn a lot about teamwork. It was interesting to learn how different people think and respond to when put in different situations.