Collaboration has a significant impact on organizational success. As a result, it is clear that an effective team may help an institution accomplish extraordinary outcomes, but a dysfunctional team can result in failed delivery and unneeded disruptions. In that situation, an effective team consists of members who possess the talents required to achieve their objectives. As a result, everyone contributes by contributing their unique perspectives and expertise, from which decisions are made (Cheruvelil et al., 2014).
The case study makes it abundantly evident that the team is ineffective. Ineffectiveness is clear since some of the participants use their medical experience to dominate group discussions. Although the women have an opportunity of airing their ideas, they are not incorporated fully into the decision-making process. Eventually, the team finds it difficult to work together because one party feels they are being looked down upon.
Team problem
According to the case study, the healthcare team seems to face a variety of problems. However, the most critical problems come in at the decision-making level. Effective team decision-making depends on skills as well as the abilities of the members. Consequently, the healthcare team is made up people with different competencies including medical background and close relationship with the children (Cheruvelil et al., 2014). In that case, the problem arises since the team is not satisfied with the outcome as the ideas of some team members are not incorporated in the final decision. A good team needs to take advantage of the diverse skills among the team members.
Recommendation
Action
As Cathy Ing the head of the healthcare team, I would recommend taking action towards mitigating an impending problem. Thus, I will intervene by setting clear team goals to ensure that the team focuses on achieving the goals and not lean towards individual competencies (Northhouse, 2015). Also, I will facilitate decision making and ensure that I properly plan, control, and synthesize decision-making to ensure that all the ideas are incorporated irrespective of an individual’s competence (Northhouse, 2015).
Leadership
Leadership is an inevitable requirement necessary for the head of a team to effectively interact with the team members. In the case of the healthcare team, I recommend the use of communication skills that facilitate clear and succinct explanation of both organizational goals and specific tasks (Schoemaker, Krupp & Howland, 2013). Therefore, communication skills give the leader the ability to listen to all members of the team and make decisions based on the individual’s viewpoint as well as the organizational goals. In addition, communication is important when building strong relationships between group members that eventually facilitate proper problem or conflict resolutions (Northhouse, 2015).
References
Cheruvelil, K. S., Soranno, P. A., Weathers, K. C., Hanson, P. C., Goring, S. J., Filstrup, C. T., & Read, E. K. (2014). Creating and maintaining high‐performing collaborative research teams: the importance of diversity and interpersonal skills. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 12(1), 31-38.
Northhouse, P. G. (2015). Leadership: Theory and practice (7th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Schoemaker, P. J., Krupp, S., & Howland, S. (2013). Strategic leadership: The essential skills. Harvard business review, 91(1), 131-134.
