Assignment 3: Developing Your Team Due Week 9 And Worth 200

Assignment 3: Developing Your Team Due Week 9 and worth 200 points

Imagine you’ve been promoted to a management position and you are tasked with developing your new team. In this assignment you will create a writeup that depicts the different elements that need to be addressed as you assemble your team. Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you: Explain how you could create a diverse team of employees with different strengths. Use scenarios to convey your idea. Discuss methods you would adopt to improve team dynamics and employee behaviors.

Describe two (2) management techniques you would implement to ensure that your new team aligns to your company’s mission. Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements: This course requires use of new Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The format is different than other Strayer University courses. Please take a moment to review the SWS documentation for details. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Explain the principal theories of leadership and motivation, and describe the fundamental considerations in managing and motivating individual and group behavior. Analyze the role of the HRM function, and its importance to the management of employee and labor relations. Explain the decision-making process management uses to develop viable courses of action to a variety of management situations. Explain the multiple aspects of the managerial planning process and the application of various business- and corporate-level strategies. Describe control systems that can improve a firm’s operations and facilitate change. Use technology and information resources to research issues in management concepts. Write clearly and concisely about management concepts using proper writing mechanics.

Paper For Above instruction

Effective team development is a cornerstone of organizational success, especially in a dynamic business environment that demands diversity, adaptability, and strategic alignment. As a newly promoted manager, the process of assembling and nurturing a high-performing team requires thoughtful planning, an understanding of individual strengths, and an application of effective management techniques. This paper explores the strategies for creating a diverse team, methods to enhance team dynamics, and management techniques that ensure alignment with organizational mission and goals.

Creating a Diverse Team with Different Strengths

Building a diverse team begins with recognizing the value of varied backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Diversity encompasses demographic factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, as well as cognitive and experiential differences. For example, in a project team tasked with product innovation, including members from different departments—marketing, engineering, customer service—can bring unique insights. A scenario might involve assembling a team to develop a new tech gadget. Here, a software engineer with technical expertise, a marketing professional with consumer insights, and a customer support representative with firsthand user feedback can collaborate. This diversity ensures that different strengths are harnessed, fostering creative solutions and reducing groupthink.

To effectively create such a team, I would conduct a skills assessment of potential candidates, identifying their core strengths, weaknesses, and areas for development. Using a competency matrix, I could match individual capabilities with the project needs. Additionally, promoting an inclusive hiring process that eliminates biases and actively seeks diverse candidates ensures a broad talent pool. Employee affinity and affinity groups also support fostering diversity by encouraging open dialogue and mutual respect, which enhances team cohesion.

Methods to Improve Team Dynamics and Employee Behaviors

Improving team dynamics involves establishing clear communication channels, fostering trust, and promoting shared goals. Regular team meetings, both formal and informal, create opportunities for open dialogue and feedback. For example, implementing weekly stand-ups can keep team members aligned and address issues promptly. Furthermore, team-building activities—such as problem-solving workshops and social events—can build camaraderie and trust. A scenario in which a team struggles with communication can be remedied through structured communication protocols, like using collaborative tools (e.g., Slack, Trello), to ensure information transparency.

Encouraging a culture of accountability and recognition also influences employee behaviors positively. Recognizing individual contributions publicly motivates team members and reinforces desired behaviors. Implementing performance feedback systems, such as 360-degree reviews, provides constructive insights and promotes continuous development. Moreover, leadership that models respect, adaptability, and fairness influences others to emulate these behaviors, creating a positive team environment.

Management Techniques to Ensure Alignment with Company Mission

To align the team with the organization's mission, I would employ goal-setting frameworks such as SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) objectives. For instance, if the company’s mission emphasizes innovation and customer satisfaction, team goals should reflect these priorities. Regularly communicating the mission and vision during meetings ensures that every team member understands and internalizes organizational objectives. In a scenario where a team is developing a new product, linking individual tasks back to the broader mission reinforces purpose and engagement.

Another technique involves performance management systems that integrate organizational values. Implementing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) derived from the mission statement ensures that team efforts are measurable and aligned. Additionally, conducting periodic reviews that connect team performance to company goals keeps efforts focused and provides opportunities for course correction. For example, recognizing team achievements that exemplify organizational values reinforces alignment and motivates sustained effort.

Conclusion

Developing a high-performing, diverse, and mission-aligned team is essential for organizational success. By leveraging diverse strengths, fostering positive team dynamics, and applying strategic management techniques, a manager can build an environment conducive to innovation, engagement, and performance excellence. Strategic planning, effective communication, and alignment with organizational goals are key elements that ensure the team’s success in contributing to the broader organizational mission.

References

  • Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1994). Improving organizational effectiveness through transformational leadership. Sage Publications.
  • Cascio, W. F., & Boudreau, J. W. (2016). The search for global competence: From international HR to talent management. Journal of World Business, 51(1), 103-114.
  • Goleman, D. (2000). Leadership that gets results. Harvard Business Review, 78(2), 78-90.
  • Hersey, P., Blanchard, K. H., & Johnson, D. E. (2013). Management of organizational behavior: Utilizing human resources. Pearson Education.
  • Kotter, J. P. (1996). Leading change. Harvard Business Review Press.
  • Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2019). Organizational behavior (18th ed.). Pearson.
  • Ulrich, D., Brockbank, W., Johnson, D., Sandholtz, K., & Younger, J. (2012). HR competencies: Mastery at the intersection of people and business. Society for Human Resource Management.
  • Yukl, G. (2012). Leadership in organizations (8th ed.). Pearson.
  • West, M. A., & Lyubovnikova, J. (2013). Collective efficacy: Good, bad, and however else. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 34(2), 250-258.
  • Zhou, J., & George, J. M. (2001). When job dissatisfaction leads to creativity: Encouraging the expression of voice. Academy of Management Journal, 44(4), 682-696.