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MGMT 1001 Tutorial Preparation (for Week 6)

i. Textbook question: answer Question 4 in the thinking critically about management issues section. Do you think that everyone should be a team player given the trends that we are seeing in the use of teams? Given the trends of teams becoming more evident in working environments; it is important that everyone should be a team player. In teams; leadership roles are shared, individuals are accountable to themselves and the team, everyone has a specific and common purpose, work is done collectively, meetings are characterised by open-ended discussion and problem solving, work is decided upon and done together. Becoming a team player would enable all these positives and therefore the output and performance will increase if everyone is willing to work together and contribute to their goals. ii. Write a 200 word summary of the argument in the article by Peterson and Harvey, 2009 This argument revolves around conflict, which can be both positive and negative to teams. Positive as it challenges and encourages different ways of thinking, negative as it can be seen as an attack on team members. The three sources of conflict in most teams are differences in information between group members, differences that require team members to compete fr the same scarce resources (conflicting goals) and finally a difference in values. Managers need to facilitate the benefits of conflict whilst minimizing these possible negative effects by indirectly using their power. These strategies are by developing the right structure by aligning team members interests together and interdependence, by directing an inclusive group process through being more involved in group tasks rather than dictating the final outcome, and finally by managing how the group interacts with its external environment (filtering the amount of feedback, perhaps choosing people of different functional specialities to interact and exchange knowledge) iii. Draft your team contract as an individual what are your personal preferences. Attach your INDIVIDUAL contract to the spot collection form.

Team Contract for Eeyerns Team


These are the terms of group conduct and cooperation that we agree on as a team.

Participation ~We will:


Keep all meeting information and issues within the team Be honest and open in the team Give everyone the opportunity to present their ideas Not shun others or put them down, if someone disagrees with what is being stated, approach the issue in a respectful and polite manner Avoid blaming others when conflict arises, look forward of how to fix this problem and move on

Communication ~ We will:
Be clear and to the point Reply to each other as promptly as possible Be proactive with team discussions through face to face and on virtual communication mediums Implement visual devices to explain points more clearly and effectively (when required) Be on time to meetings

Handling Conflict ~ We will:


Regard conflict as an opportunity to grow Listen openly to each others opinions and sides Acknowledge valid points people have made Seek common ground of agreement If this may result in embarrassment, speak to the person in question privately

Deadlines ~ We will:
Complete the task at hand in the highest quality Work out of working hours to complete the project if necessary and reasonable Help each other when falling behind on deadlines If not completing a task is out of our control, we need to communicate together to find an alternate solution SIGNED: _____________________________________________________________________

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