Transcript Groupware Technology and Team Management Unit I

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Groupware Technology
and Team Management
Unit 7
Dr. Andrea Jersabek
Situational Leadership Styles

Blanchard and Hersey characterized
leadership style in terms of the amount of
direction and support that the leader
provides to their followers. They
categorized all leadership styles into four
behavior types, which they named S1 to
S4.
S1: Directing/Telling Leaders
 define the roles and tasks of the 'follower',
and supervise them closely. Decisions are
made and announced by the leader, so
communication is largely one-way.
S2: Coaching/Selling Leaders
 still define roles and tasks, but seek ideas
and suggestions from the follower.
Decisions are still made by the leader, but
communication is much more two-way.
S3: Supporting/Participating
Leaders
 pass day-to-day decisions, such as task
allocation and processes, to the follower.
The leader facilitates and takes part in
decisions, but control is with the follower.
S4: Delegating Leaders
 are still involved in decisions and problem-
solving, but control is with the follower.
The follower decides when and how the
leader will be involved.
Open Issues
Conflict Resolution
Trust in Team Work
“Trained Respect” (Bauhaus et al., 1996)
 One trains oneself not to judge in order to
be able to truly listen to another team
member’s point of view

Trust in Team Work (2)
Follow a policy of not stereotyping other
team members
 Stereotyping is an individual’s views and
values to a certain group
 Is often based on incomplete information

Traditional Teams

Abundant non-verbal clues to assess other
members’ personality, social status, etc.
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However, this can also lead to
stereotyping
Virtual Team
Can be opportunity for team improvement:

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No clues about social status, gender, religion,
national origin, etc
Flat hierarchies: traditional chain-of-command
hierarchies less evident
Shift of power enables team members to speak
more openly
Language problems


If English is common language used, then
should use a restricted code, i.e. limited to
essential and unambiguous words (approx. 4000
words.) => formation of a ‘new’ language’ that is
based on English words and patterns that are
free from slang and colloquialism.
Also: a terminology glossary can be useful.
Different expectations
Problems in phone conversations:
 Different interpretation of silence, pauses
in different cultures
 General: starting from the abstract and
moving to the specific
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