Welcome
to Management of Teams, a course that is designed to prepare
the student of business and organizational administration
for future roles in business in settings where leading the
organization for continued success in times of change is desired.
Managing teams requires insight, skill, and the ability to
work with diverse groups in ways that promote success for
the project at hand and for the success of the organization
overall. This course explores the applications of management,
planning, directing and supporting team members and team endeavors
in today's work environments. This course will examine contemporary
models of team building and team success as well as applications
in current business settings. In fulfillment of the assignments
that will provide study of management of teams, this course
is designed to incorporate your own experience and observations
regarding leadership within organizations.
This is a
4-semester hour course. This course is allotted 15 weeks
of time. You must complete all of the requirements for the
course successfully by the end of the 15-week period. The
first day of week one will begin the day that you register
for the course, or the day which you notify me that your textbook
has arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please
be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions
of time are permitted, unless you have good justification.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded
4 semester hours of credit.
There are two
textbooks required for this course. Two selections are listed
below, the first of which (Lencioni, 2002) is required. You
may select an alternative for the second text if the Fisher
(1999) text is not the best for your particular work environment
or future goals (although it is an excellent book, you will
gain much if you stick with this one). Please note that if
you are going to select a substitute for Fisher (1999), you
must first obtain approval of your selection from me; if you
do not obtain prior approval, your work for the final exam
may not be accepted (see assignments, below).
Book 1: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable.
By Patrick M. Lencioni. Jossey-Bass: 2002. ISBN # 0787960756.
Book 2: Self-Directed Work Teams. By Kimball Fisher. McGraw-Hill
Trade: 1999. ISBN # 0071349243.
There are two examinations for this course, a mid-term exam and a final exam. The mid-term exam covers some essay questions from the readings in Lencioni (2002). The final exam covers issues in managing teams, drawn from the student's choice of the second book, contemporary journals and personal experience. The details for these papers are listed in the Written Assignments section of this syllabus.
The mid-term examination is a subjective paper that must be a minimum of ten (10) pages in length, double-spaced with 1.5-inch margins. I must download your paper by the end of the 8th week in the course. Upon registration, you will receive my e-mail address. Incomplete papers will be graded accordingly.
I must download your final paper with all of the required information by the end of the 15th week in the course. Incomplete papers will be graded accordingly.
The grading scale
for this course is as follows:
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
Below 70% = Fail
The grading criteria for the written assignment is as follows:
Weight
60%.
1). Content is pertinent, and reflects points requested from
the readings as well as original thought.
2). Student position or view is stated clearly, with appropriate
justifications and logic.
3). Comprehensiveness of discussion is adequate.
4). The paper adequately addresses the assignment in scope
and content.
Weight 20%.
1). The paper demonstrates logical flow from idea to idea,
point to point.
2). The paper includes relevant supporting ideas from the
assigned readings or research as appropriate.
Weight 10%.
1). Spelling and sentence structure are without error.
2). Punctuation and word choice are without error.
3). Paper contains a title, subheadings and paragraphs as
appropriate.
Weight 10%.
1). The paper reflects a synthesis of ideas from the readings
and from experience as requested.
2). The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.
3). Style of the paper is appropriate academic level.
This paper must be submitted by the 8th week of the course.
Dynamics of Team Management.
From the readings in The Five Dysfunctions (Lencioni, 2002), discuss each of the five principles as described below.
For each of the principles, provide the following information, then complete the Assessment:
1). Summarize the principle and give a brief synopsis of the dysfunction as described by the author (1/2 page minimum)
2). For each principle, thoroughly discuss the salient aspects of managing for success, now that you are aware of the ways in which managing teams can be dysfunctional and unsuccessful. Include how you would manage for success for each principle based on your industry and your management style. (1 page minimum)
3). Discuss your thoughts and findings regarding the team Assessment provided in this textbook, as applied to a current or past work setting. (2 pages minimum)
This paper must be submitted by the 15th week of the course.
Applied Management.
This final paper is a set of discussions about work teams and contemporary events, and your analysis of how a team process or application in business today fits the principles identified in the readings.
Select at least five techniques or illustrations of team management that are discussed in the Work Teams text (Fisher, 1999) or the Nimoro or another text of your choosing (based on instructor approval). Based on your readings which should include current contemporary news articles, professional journal articles, or business articles, provide an example of each of the five work selected applications or illustrations.
For each of the five techniques, principles or illustrations of team management that you have selected, your final exam will consist of a summary of the text material, a discussion of the contemporary article, and your analysis of how the text material was or was not illustrated in a contemporary management situation.
Prepare a minimum of two pages on each principle that you have researched (five principles, total minimum of ten pages), covering the following for each:
1). Briefly describe the selected text chapter, providing the salient points regarding management of teams in the business environment. Provide the complete citation for your source of information.
2). For each text chapter that you have selected, briefly summarize a journal or other contemporary article that illustrates or refutes the principle from the textbook, and provide your analysis of why and how the current event or journal article relates to the text material. Provide the complete citation for your source of information.
3). Provide your analysis of whether anything could have been done differently for greater effectiveness or better outcomes, given what you have learned from the readings and personal experience.
As previously mentioned, upon registration you will receive
my e-mail address. Please e-mail me any questions. That is
why I am here. I will do everything to help you as much as
possible. Please do not wait until the end of the class to
try to get help. It will be too late. Anytime your grade falls
below C, I will try to contact you about it. If I do not,
please do not hesitate to contact me through e-mail.
Dale Mueller, EdD, RN, has held numerous leadership and management
roles in large and small organizations throughout her career
as an administrator and consultant. Roles include leadership
for change in chaotic environments, and management of teams,
work groups, task forces and organizations. She is a gubernatorial
appointee in strategic planning and human resources in California,
and is a former President of the Chamber of Commerce in her
community. She is a recognized business and community leader
in the field of health care and public policy.
Upon
completion of this course, you will be able to:
1). Describe the theoretical foundations for management activity
2). Identify principles for management success
3).
Describe the essentials of management functions
4).
Discuss the context of management effectiveness
5).
Discuss the purpose of management in business
6).
Identify principles of innovation in relation to management functions
7).
Analyze the components of individual contributions
8).
Describe how individual contributions can lead to increased effectiveness
9).
Examine social and entrepreneurial roles of well-managed organizations
10).
Evaluate the relationships of management and leadership
If you have any questions regarding this program, you may address
them to
admassistant@breyerstate.com .
An administrative faculty member will respond to all questions.