Ethics and Leadership homework Management Coursework

Ethics and Leadership
Homework for lecture 11
Name
Date
1. What was your best small-group experience? Your worst? What accounts for the
differences between these two experiences? How would your rate the moral
behavior of each group?
My best small-group experience was working on project proposal, which would increase sales in a small business as there was balanced participation, open communication and sharing information on what had been achieved and the way forward. My worst was working with a group leader who felt that winning at all costs is what matters, and he apportioned blame quickly when he thought there was failure. The difference between the two is that the people either worked together or were clear on what was right or wrong. The first group supported openness and fostered trust where it was easier to air concerns, and think there were no concerns about cheating and dishonesty so long as one was not caught.
2.Interview a project manager. What strategies does this individual use to foster
collaboration and individual and team accountability? Report your findings to the
rest of the class.
To foster collaboration the project manager establishes open communication links, while fostering mutual trust, facilitate evaluation of ideas and concerns, and being open to resolving conflicts. The manager views working in a team as a process and not just assigning responsibilities. The project manager prioritizes clear set goals and objectives at the beginning of project where there are clear roles and expectations. He also leads by example by reviewing what has been achieved and rewarding those who met set targets. Furthermore, he focuses on building trust as there is a real commitment in teamwork.
3.Record a group discussion, and then identify and categorize the defensive and
supportive comments made by team members. What do you conclude about the
communication climate of the group? Report your conclusions to the team you
observe.
Defensive comments included “I did my part, and need not be asked to do more” “I am simply doing what I was told and did not affect performance”. The supportive comments included there is a “need to find a solution”, “ we have made improvement, but need to make more effort ”. The climate is mostly supportive as there is open communication, which encourages problem solving, while there is mutual respect and trust.
Homework for lecture 12
1. How would your rate the moral behavior of each group? Please briefly describe
the causes and coping strategies of social loafing .
I rate the group’s moral behavior highly as there is emphasis on cooperation, transparency and accountability. Informative material and emotional support are necessary in groups or teams. When members have few responsibilities or contribution to make, they exert little effort. If people have low sense of control and other members and are not required to be held accountable for the overall work it s more likely that they will put little effort in group work. At other times, they may exert little effort when there is no recognition and reward for their performance, or value attached to them.
Increasing group cohesion is associated...