I was pleased by the outcome of our Global Tech organizational change simulation.   We succeeded in turning around the company despite the challenges we created by the personalities, the conflicts and the culture of the company. 

 

I was surprised by the fact that we were among the few (or only) team to succeed and it makes me wonder why our group, Team 3 on the West Side of the city (and NO our team name is NOT “Randy’s Team”), has had such success in our teamwork and team projects and maintains such a high level of camaraderie in the process. Yes, success breeds contentment and future success, but what makes our efforts continually successful? I think it is because each of us brings a different and necessary skill set to the team. Everyone plays an important role and provides their best to the end result.  I am deeply thankful for each of our team members, as we would not have gotten the results (and the grades) and had nearly as much fun without everyone contributing:   Here is what I think my team members bring to the team in each assignment:

 

Note: Keep in mind that this is only my opinion so don’t take it too seriously. This is only one member’s point of view.  I am sure everyone listed has their own perspective on our team

 

Chris:  He was at the controls during the Global Tech simulation. Calling the shots, pushing the buttons.  Very creative, experimenting and figuring out new angles.  Chris is always willing to step up and present for our projects. He was at the front of class hooking up his laptop to show off our simulation success.

 

Tasha: Tasha was all about action during the simulation.  “Just do it, push the button!” Unsurprisingly, Tasha provides a lot of energy in most of our projects. Doing what needs to be done, when it needs doing. She is already well ahead in making sure our Ethical Organization paper is getting done.  

 

Toni:  Toni provides the forethought, balance, common sense and alternate perspectives.  She was always questioning the initial gut reactions we had to courses of action in the simulation.  Toni always provides the sense, questioning and balance to our group work.  Puts me in place if I get too far out of line. Makes sure we produce professional work each and every project.

 

Omar:  Omar makes sure we are prepared and does a lot of the technical heavy lifting for the group.  His was the idea to rate each of the tactics in the simulation for appropriate place in steps 1 through 7 of the change management process. I copied his idea by doing my own rating and confirmed and supported his initial GREAT preparation plan. He also created a profile of each of the stakeholders in the simulation that we used to rate the employees on their support for teams (champion, bystander, opponent) and helped us pick the participants on the change team. All of this preparation was key to successfully executing the simulation and succeeding in turning around Global Tech.  Omar may be quiet in class be his work and preparation is often the cornerstone to our group project success.

 

Jimmy:  Don’t want to forget Jimmy.  Our former team member really helped a lot in our previous projects. His company office was a great meeting space for Team 3 – West Siiii-eed. He was always positive, encouraging and hard working (his and Toni’s effort on our Law Paper was the reason we did so well). I miss his enthusiasm and spirit very much.

 

Randy (me):  What do I bring to the team?  Well I have reflected a lot about this over the last two years in the program.  I am not really sure.  I’d say its thought and ideas that I bring, but that sounds a bit overconfident.  I guess I just try to have high standards for my own work and contribution to the team projects and encourage everyone on the team to do the same. Not sure that I bring much actually, I just try to chip in what and when I can.

 

Again, I am just grateful that I have such good team members to work with.  Everyone chips in their talents and we always seem to have fun.  Maybe that is why the projects always seem to turn out well, we enjoy our time together and don’t completely despise the work. On occasion it seems like the enthusiasm, enjoyment and success we’ve had together rankles some people. Pointing this out (and the content of this entire entry itself) will make it worse, by virtue of some perceived arrogance or showboating on my part. Then again, no one is likely reading this anyway. Except hopefully my team members, I want them to know how much I appreciate and have enjoyed the time we have spent together over the last few years.   

 

 

 

Interesting “possibly related posts” that popped up on other entries (isn’t BLOGging great!, bloggy, blog, blog):

http://agiletester.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/team-dynamics-dont-be-afraid-of-change/ 

http://tgimworklife.wordpress.com/2007/11/05/ask-the-coach-developing-the-leadership-team/