Addressing Challenges of Groups and Teams

Addressing Challenges of Groups and Teams

Nicole Dubs

University of Phoenix

LDR

531

M. Aloysius Simpson

August 16, 2010

Addressing Challenges of Groups and Teams

Tyco International, Ltd.’s reputation and financial results were negatively impacted by the unethical behavior of then CEO Leo Dennis Kozlowski and former CFO Mark Swartz in the fall of 2002. Both were convicted of “38 felony counts for pilfering $170 million directly from the company and for pocketing an additional $430 million through tainted sales of stock” (Business Week, p. 64). Since the scandal new leadership has been appointed and the trust of the public and shareholders has slowly begun to be reestablished. However, additional training needs have been identified for the leadership division, as well as, the organization as whole. “The extent to which a team can learn how to work more effectively and adapt its performance strategies to changes in the nature of the task and environment is probably an important determinant of long-term team effectiveness” (Yuki, p. 332). To increase the effectiveness Learning Team D has established a training program based on the development of teams and groups.

A cross-functional team will be created with the top leaders from the different departments within the organization. This team will be formed based on the need identified to insure the proper checks and balances are occurring on a regular basis for financial revenue and debits. However, the “early stages of development are often very time-consuming as members learn to work with diversity and complexity. It takes time to build trust and teamwork, especially among people from different backgrounds with different experiences and perspectives” (Robbins and Judge, p. 342). To assist the team with the formation and transition, training will include conflict resolution and management, team collaboration and adapting to differing communication styles.

Functioning teams are faced...