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Managing Sticky Situations at Work

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112 <strong>Managing</strong> <strong>Sticky</strong> <strong>Situ<strong>at</strong>ions</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Work</strong>understanding of the camp’s culture. He did not bring up his desire tohire the administr<strong>at</strong>ive assistant. He now recognizes th<strong>at</strong> he cannotbroach decision making until this board is ready. The heightenedenergy and sharing will move the group into the Norming Stage. IfKarl exercises p<strong>at</strong>ience (which is hard for a Bold), he will gain the trustof the board and be able to assume the administr<strong>at</strong>ive oper<strong>at</strong>ions ofthe camp.STICKY SITUATION #14:THE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TEAMAlbertworksforanintern<strong>at</strong>ionalwirelesscompany.He’sbeenrecently given the job of managing a virtual team of 53 IT professionals.Their project is to roll out a new software applic<strong>at</strong>ionto 45,000 employees throughout the world. Albert recognizes th<strong>at</strong>his team consists of busy professionals doing other things. Hisproject adds one more task to their already overflowing pl<strong>at</strong>e.Furthermore, his boss told him th<strong>at</strong> the timeline is uncompromising.They must have the software rolled out in eight weeks, andthey cannot request additional resources to do so.Albert divided the larger project team into five geographicalwork groups. These virtual groups represent different parts ofthe company in different parts of the world. After Albertassigned certain managers and technicians to each group, hescheduled the first virtual group meeting by telephone. Duringth<strong>at</strong> meeting he explained the project. He listened to their complaintsabout the short time frame and how the project will disruptbusiness, but he did not respond to these concerns. He hasnow set up another conference call to begin planning the rolloutin phases even though he knows the groups are still contentious.STAGE OF TEAM DEVELOPMENTAlbert is working with five virtual teams in the Forming Stage. Inthe first meeting he oriented each smaller group to the project itself.He allowed them to vent, but he did not give them ample time toorient to each other within their smaller groups. As Albert sees it, hemust focus on his agenda; otherwise, they will overshoot the timeline.Albert’s job is on the line. He agreed to take responsibility for thisproject, and he must show leadership to enable the teams to

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