Learning Activity: Individual and Organization Learning There is an awful problem at ABC Organization. ABC organizations Department X is made of several work teams that are currently overwrought with tension. Team Alpha is composed of five individuals and one manager. Carol, Kathleen, Melanie, Jeff, and Daryn are the five team members under the leadership of Elena. Carol, Melanie, Kathleen, and Jeff have worked together in a cohesive unit for the past year and a half. Six months ago, Daryn was brought on board to replace a former team member. Prior to Daryns arrival, the team worked well professionally and socialized outside of the work environment. Daryns presence has since changed the dynamics of the team. Daryn does not pull his weight professionally. Though all teammates are responsible for marketing ABCs current ventures, they are each assigned personal tasks that must be completed in order for the team to meet its deadlines. Without being able to work in a cohesive unit the team will not be able to complete its work. Even though individual tasks are assigned it is difficult for Elena to determine who worked on what assignments, because the teammates help one another after they complete their work for the day. Below is a synopsis of the current emotions and tensions felt by each of the team member. 1. Carol- was recently promoted to senior marketer. Though she is in charge of the team, she has no authority to be able to motivate people to do their work or discipline them for not completing their work. She is frustrated with Daryn and Jeff, because Daryn does not do his work and Jeff is covering for him by completing Daryns work. Though she has requested help from Elena at various times, Elena has yet to authorize Carols authority. Carols main ally in this situation is Melanie. 2. Kathleen- is not bothered by the current situation. She gets her work done quickly and is willing to help out other teammates. Kathleen gives Daryn and Jeff the benefit of doubt in regards to their current work habits. She does not like discussing the current situation as it makes her uncomfortable to talk about her teammates. 3. Jeff is attempting to help out Daryn because according to Jeff Daryn is still learning. Jeff also makes sure everyone is caught up in their work before they move onto the next assignment. Carol and Jeff have a lot conflict due to Jeff repeatedly completing Daryns work for him, even after Carol has specifically requested him not to do so. Jeffs main confidante is Melanie. He recently confided in Melanie that he is unhappy in the current environment and is looking elsewhere. 4. Melanie is caught between the two groups. She is both Jeff and Carols ally. She cannot relay her true thoughts because she would feel disloyal to both parties. She is uncomfortable with all the tension and now has limited personal interaction at work. She is frustrated with the Daryn situation because she can see him playing on the internet all day, while she is working. She is currently looking for new employment. 5. Daryn is the newest person on the team. He spends the majority of his day on the internet and does as little work as possible. His main ally is Jeff. Though he has been repeatedly told to seek work and get his work completed, he does not take the initiative to seek out additional assignments. He does not respect the opinion or authority of the more senior female members of the team.

Questions:

1. In terms of team effectiveness, do they have performance, development, or neither? Why?
2. According to the team health effectiveness, how do they score?
   1. Is it a real team?
   2. Does it have a compelling purpose?
   3. Does it have the right people?
   4. Are norms of conduct clear?
   5. Is there support from organizational context?
   6. Is there team focused coaching?
   7. Overall health assessment? Why?
3. Do they have collaborative commitment, supportive climate, norms of excellence? Why or Why not?
4. What sort of principled resources should we offer them? Why?
5. Do you think we should monitor the team or take actions? Should we focus on task or development goals? Why?
6. Do you think this team can be fixed? Why or why not?
7. Thinking back on a team that was not effective in your past (you do not have to share the type or name of team), was it ineffective due to performance, development or neither? How did it get resolved?