Saint Leo University Effective Leadership and Management Skills Discussion

(Shameka) Jason is the CEO of an advertising agency with 125 employees. The agency helps its clients develop advertising and marketing themes and place ads in all media including print, the Internet, and mobile apps. Jason is pleased with productivity at the agency, yet he believes with stronger teamwork in all department’s productivity would be enhanced. Jason noted that about two-thirds of the agency employees were assigned to cubicles, and a few to private offices. Jason himself moved from his private office to a desk in the center of the open-work area along with Generation- Y (born between 1981 and 2002) and Generation-X (born between 1965 and1980) staying in private offices (DuBrin, 2018).

The problem occurred when Jason had already made a decision before including his workforce. He sent his workforce an e-mail to the entire staff with the explanation that the purpose of the new office layout was to enhance teamwork, collaboration, and creativity. He welcomed feedback on the new plan and stated that the new office layout would be tried for one year before becoming permanent. Jason received a handful of comments. A few of the comments welcomed the opportunity to become a more modern office, whereas a few others expressed concern about a potential negative impact on creativity and morale. Generation-X found it overwhelming to listen to the Generation-Y constant chattering about sports and TV shows, their smartphones beeping, talking, and phones ringing. Generation-X was tranquil to noise when it comes to doing serious work (DuBrin, 2018).

Solution

Jason can be an effective leader by establishing using technology that enhances teamwork, designing physical structures that facilitate communication, blending representatives from the domestic company and foreign nationals on the team. Using technology that enhances teamwork and open communication with virtual conference. Virtual conference is effective as face-to face meetings with ideas and concerns. Designing physical structures that facilitate communication is to add soundproof rooms; creating quiet zones; and rearranging floor plans to aid employees eager to escape disruptions at their desk or table (DuBrin, 2018).

Blending representatives from domestic companies and foreign nationals on the team often enhances teamwork. The Generation-Y and Generation-X both have talents that can bring advancements and improvement if Jason can bridge the gap of respecting local talent, which will create a spirit of cooperation. It may also blend cultural differences which can occur as a team.

Advantage

Jason should use the leader member exchange (LMX) model to develop teamwork and a relationship with Generation-Y and Generation-X. Leaders do not typically use the same leadership style in dealing with all group members. Instead, they treat each member differently. The findings suggested that the higher the satisfaction with relationships with the supervisor, the higher the level of satisfaction with teamwork. Developing teamwork is a key leadership role, understanding and commitment to group goals.

Disadvantage

The lack of communication, lack of team development, and the lack of respect and trust from their leader will cause chaos in the workplace. Tony, the highest paid advertising copywriter, is terribly upset with the open cubical and with the Generation-Y work ethics. He complained that there is nowhere to go for privacy and quietness. The conference rooms are usually filled with somebody else trying to escape the open space. Therefore…He may have to work from his car or home. Three people over fifty had already quit in the last month.

Conclusion

Teamwork is enhanced when a leader practices consensus decision making. Contributing to important decisions helps group members feel that they are valuable to the team (DuBrin, 2018). Cognitive information about strategies and tactics for improving teamwork is offsite training consistent:

• Discover your strengths and weaknesses
• Test your limits (they are far broader than you imagine)
• Work together as a team
• Have fun
• Face the essence of who you are and what you are made of (DuBrin, pg. 9-3, 2018)
• respond to this persons discussion no less than 100 words