Question

Many characteristics of work teams can also be seen in sports teams. Although sports teams—especially professional sports teams—often differ from work teams in important ways, they can be helpful for illustrating the key features that contribute to a team’s success.

Patrick works for a large technology company that sponsors an intramural soccer league. Patrick has been on a soccer team with the other software engineers for his product for several years, and they are very good. Team members rarely miss practices and never miss games, they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses on the field, and they play together so well that they have won the company championship 2 years in a row. When the team was first formed, however, the players did not seem very committed, team cohesion was not very good, and the team took a very long time to decide on which plays and strategies to use. After making a change midway through the first season that led to increased cohesion, team performance improved dramatically.

1. What stage of development is Patrick’s soccer team in currently?
a. Preforming
b. Storming
c. Forming
d. Norming

2. If a team leader wanted to help a team such as Patrick’s get through the performing stage of team development, he or she should take which of the following actions?
CHECK ALL THAT APPLY
- Encourage constructive conflict between members of the team.
- Coordinate team roles and activities.
- Help the team make effective decisions.
- Help the team establish clear rules for team member behaviors.

Answer 1

1. What stage of development is Patrick’s soccer team in currently?

a. preforming

2. If a team leader wanted to help a team such as Patrick’s get through the performing stage of team development, he or she should take which of the following actions?

✔ Encourage constructive conflict between members of the team.

✘ Coordinate team roles and activities.

✔ Help the team make effective decisions.

✘ Help the team establish clear rules for team member behaviors.

Answer 2

1. Preforming

2. A and C