Review the case, Blake Sports Apparel and Switch Activewear: Bringing the Executive Team Together. Consider the criteria for successful teams and the factors needed to ensure teams are structured for success.
Write a 750-1,000-word plan describing the steps necessary to create more successful teams at various levels in an organization by utilizing the events outlined in the case. Address the following questions and concepts in your paper. Be sure to support your rationale by providing specific examples. You are required to include three to five additional references to support your position.
Define the characteristics and structure of successful teams. Describe how independent teams are vital to organizational success.
Discuss the important factors to consider when leading teams within the various levels of an organization. Discuss specifically which factors are important to consider when leading teams at the executive level.
Describe the aspects that are essential in identifying appropriate members for teams and ensuring the teams are successfully launched.
Discuss the important factors for ongoing team dynamics. Describe guidelines to evaluate the function and productivity of teams.
Describe strategies that can create collaboration and leadership initiative among team members. Based on the content provided in the case, explain the action that Barker can take to improve collaboration among the team members.
Sample Answer
Strategic Plan for Team Success: Fostering High-Performing Teams at Blake Sports Apparel and Switch Activewear
Introduction
The case of Blake Sports Apparel and Switch Activewear: Bringing the Executive Team Together highlights a critical challenge facing the newly merged organization: a lack of collaboration and alignment at the executive level. The pre-merger leadership teams, particularly the Blake team, operate in functional silos, creating friction and undermining strategic initiatives. This document outlines a comprehensive plan to transform these groups into high-performing, successful teams at various organizational levels, using the events described in the case as a foundation. This plan is designed to build a culture of shared purpose, mutual accountability, and effective collaboration, which are essential for navigating the complexities of the merger and driving long-term success.
Defining the Characteristics and Structure of Successful Teams
Successful teams are defined by more than just a group of individuals with a common goal. They possess a specific set of characteristics that allow them to function as a cohesive and effective unit. Key elements include a clear and compelling purpose, mutual accountability, complementary skills, and psychological safety. A team’s structure is vital; it must be designed to facilitate communication and collaboration, not hinder it. A well-structured team has defined roles and responsibilities, clear processes for decision-making, and open channels for communication (Lencioni, 2002).
Independent teams are also crucial to organizational success, as they empower employees closest to the work to make decisions and solve problems without constant oversight. By decentralizing authority, organizations can increase agility, foster innovation, and boost employee engagement. This is particularly relevant for the operational teams at Blake Sports and Switch, which could benefit from greater autonomy to streamline processes and respond to market changes more quickly. For instance, empowering a team of apparel designers and supply chain specialists to manage a new product launch from concept to delivery can dramatically reduce time-to-market.
Leading Teams at Various Organizational Levels
Leadership must be adapted to the specific needs of teams at different levels of an organization. At the operational level, leadership is often focused on task management, resource allocation, and providing direct support. Middle management leaders act as a bridge, translating executive strategy into actionable plans for their teams while also communicating feedback upward.