COURSE: LEADERSHIP, ENGAGEMENT, AND PEOPLE PERFORMANCE
CASE STUDY: THE TEAM THAT WASN’T
Project Submission Template
Question I           1. A brief summary of the….(50 words)
                 Due to ego of experience and power of one particular person and his
                 demeaning and disruptive behavior lead the dysfunctional team to face
                 challenges such as lack of motivation, trust and commitment further
                 hindering the strategic planning and overall growth of company.
Question I      2. List and elaborate on the reasons….
                        a. The FineArt Team led by Eric (75 words)
             Prior to last 18 months company was thriving due to collaborative,
             enthusiastic and cooperative efforts of team across divisions. Eric did
             conceive that he might face some resistance for lack of appreciation
             towards design division, professional lacking from manufacturing
             division head which proved groundless.However, after the introduction
             of a disruptive individual, the team faced challenges in terms of
             cooperation, trust and commitment to progress and growth.
             Further team diligently did put in efforts to minimize the impact of
             team blocking behaviour and promote coordination, emphasizing the
             group’s ability to endure and adapt when facing challenges.
Question I   2. List and elaborate on the reasons…...
                    b. Randy Louderback (75 words)
             Randy who is the Director of Sales and Marketing was considered
             valuable resource because of his experience and knowledge. However,
             the ego of experience and inability to build relationships resulted in
             team blocking behaviour of Randy.
             This severely affected team dynamics leading to lack of employee
             involvement, commitment and result oriented planning as well as
             actions.
Question I   2. List and elaborate on the reasons….
                    c. Eric Holt (75 words)
             Eric is envisioned with building a team for strategic realignment made
             of people from across divisions.
             Eric is aware about team’s struggle and hindrances faced by team due
             to team blocking behaviour of one individual being detrimental to team
             dynamics. After four futile meetings, he observed self-driven
             individuals struggling with the repercussions of the team blocking
             behaviour of one individual and voicing their opinions against the team
             blocker.
Question II   1. Steps that Eric should adopt..…..timelines.
                      a. Short-term (1-3 months) (50 words)
              •   Perform a comprehensive analysis to identify the precise factors
                  contributing to the obstruction in progress and growth.
              •   Plan out tactical ways to deal with such challenges.
              •   Communicate the plan with the timelines to achieve the same.
              •   Encourage transparency and culture of inclusivity.
              •   Create goals that focus on team’s output rather than individual
                  output and communicate greater purpose of accomplishing the
                  tasks.
              •   Organize brief meetings and involve divisional executives to
                  garner their commitment and allocate resources for team
                  engagement.
Question II   1. Steps that Eric should adopt
                     b. Medium-term (beyond 3 months) (50 words)
              •   Facilitate interim project evaluation.
              •   Perform a thorough assessment of the project’s advancements
                  and hurdles thus far.
              •   Reassess strategic goals.
              •   Align and assign roles if required and create sense of belonging.
              •   Offer motivational support.
              •   Implement task automation for the team.
              •   Arrange skills enhancement workshops.
              •   Encourage collaboration and transparency.
              •   Identify any unsolved issues requiring attention in the concluding
                  phase and address challenges proactively.
              •   Acknowledge achievements.
Question II      2. Pick any three recommendations….
                 a. Recommendation 1 (75 words)
              To tackle challenges faced by team due to team blocking behaviour of
              Randy, effective leadership and strong communication as well as
              decision making methods must be emphasised on.
                 •   Establish a clear vision and understand team goals and
                     objectives.
                 •   Foster open and transparent communication.
                 •   Actively listen to team and value their input and feedback.
                 •   Cultivate empathy building trust and understanding within the
                     team.
                 •   Addressing conflicts promptly and prevent issues from
                     escalating.
                 •   Acknowledge     and    celebrate   the   individual   and     team
                     achievements.
                 •   Demonstrate the values and work ethic expected from the team.
Question II   2. Pick any three recommendations….
                 b. Recommendation 2 (75 words)
              A culture of inclusivity and a sense of belonging can positively impact a
              team and company in several ways. It fosters:
                 •   Increased Productivity: Employees who feel included and values
                     and more likely to be engaged and motivated leading to higher
                     levels of productivity.
                 •   Talent Retention: A sense of belonging reduces turnover as
                     employees as more likely to stay in an environment where they
                     feel accepted and appreciated.
                 •   Innovation: A diverse and inclusive team is better equipped to
                     innovate, as different viewpoints contribute to a more
                     comprehensive understanding of challenges and opportunities.
                 •   Inclusive cultures promote adaptability by encouraging open
                     communication, enabling the team to navigate changes more
                     effectively.
                 ➢ Define and communicate values.
                 ➢ Diverse hiring practices.
                 ➢ Training and education.
                 ➢ Open communication channels.
                 ➢ Regular inclusion assessments.
                 ➢ Celebration of diversity.
Question II   2. Pick any three recommendations….
                 c. Recommendation 3 (75 words)
              Automation:
              Automation can enhance team trust and growth by streamlining
              repetitive tasks, reducing errors and fostering more efficient work
              environment.
              Team can focus more on strategic and creative aspects of their roles,
              leading to increased collaboration.Over time, it promotes skill
              development for individuals contributing more meaningfully to complex
              projects resulting in overall team growth.
                 •   Identify the specific tasks and steps to automate.
                 •   Clearly define the objectives and goals of automating.
                 •   Select automation tools.
                 •   Prepare and organize the data required.
                 •   Create a detailed workflow that outlines the sequence of
                     automated tasks.
                 •   Configure automation tools to execute tasks.
                 •   Conduct testing and security checks
                 •   Document and provide training for the same.
                 •   Monitor and optimize on basis of feedback.
                  1. Analyse Jack Derry…...Module 3
Question III
                  a. Sensing (75 words)
               Jack’s inspirational leadership is characterized by a practical, hands-on
               approach that emphasises real world details enabling him to navigate
               the organizational landscape and industry trends effectively.
               He demonstrates a keen awareness of market shifts and identifies
               strategies opportunities. This foresight allows him to proactively
               anticipate challenges and changes, empowering him to make informed
               decisions that align with FireArt’s overarching goals.
               This could inspire others by demonstrating a pragmatic and action-
               oriented mindset, fostering a culture of accountability and efficiency.
               In nutshell, by addressing immediate, observable data, Jack fosters a
               clear direction, contributing to effective problem-solving and decision-
               making.
                   1. Analyse Jack Derry…...Module 3
Question III
                   b. Relating (75 words)
               Jack as an inspirational leader, stands out for his ability to cultivate
               meaningful relationships with the organization. He fosters a positive
               work environment by motivating and empowering team members
               demonstrating strong communication skills.
               Jack’s approachable nature and concern for his team’s well-being
               contribute to a positive work atmosphere. This not only enhances
               collaboration within the team but also expands the organization’s
               external connections.
               Jack’s skillful networking contributes significantly to the overall
               success and growth of the team and company.
                   1. Analyse Jack Derry…...Module 3
Question III
                   c. Visioning (75 words)
               Jack not only possesses a keen foresight for FireArt’s path forward but
               also excels in translating this vision into a shared mission for the entire
               team. He excels as a leader by casting a clear and inspiring vision for
               the future.
               His ability to craft compelling narratives ensures that individual roles
               harmonize with overarching organizational objectives, fostering
               motivation and a united commitment.
               Jack’s visionary leadership serves as a catalyst, propelling FireArt’s
               towards a future that authentically reflects the company’s core values
               and ambitious aspirations.
                  1. Analyse Jack Derry…...Module 3
Question III
                  d. Executing (75 words)
               Simply put, Jack Derry is a leader who gets results. He not only comes
               up with strategic plans but also turns them into actionable steps
               showcasing a rare combination of vision and practicality.
               Jack is committed to executing plans within deadlines and a focus on
               achieving tangible outcomes through accountability and realistic
               milestones.
               He serves as a source of inspiration, fostering a dynamic environment
               where everyone is driven to contribute to the overall success of the
               team’s endeavors.
                  2. Recommend any changes….
Question III
               Recommendations (75 words)
               Jack could benefit from a comprehensive analysis of Randy’s
               disruptive behaviour and take targeted steps to address it within the
               team dynamics.
               Acknowledging and addressing concerns raised by team members like
               Maureen, especially regarding investment in new artists and the
               competitive advantage of better design and variety, would contribute to
               a more responsive and effective leadership approach.
               Moreover, Jack might explore strategies for conflict resolution within
               the team, ensuring that disagreements are addressed constructively.
               Finally, regular self-reflection on his leadership style and its impact on
               team dynamics can help Jack adopt and refine his approach over time.