Scenario
Your teacher has set the class a challenge: to organise an event that raises money for a charity. You will have to work as a team to complete the challenge, with each of you taking a different role.
The teacher tells you that last year the challenge was not very successful because the teams did not work well together. So before you start planning the charity event your teacher wants all students to research in detail how teams and their leaders work best together.
To complete this assignment, you will produce a multipage leaflet for other members of the class, write a report and prepare a presentation, with accompanying notes.
In addition, you will keep a reflective journal, describing and evaluating your preferred ways of working. (NB for the purposes of this assignment, you do not have to actually organise a charity event.)
Task 1 – Working in teams and effective leaders
You must prepare a multipage leaflet that will be given to others in the class. The leaflet should contain 4 sections. Sections 1 and 2 will cover:
- A definition and description of the qualities that make an effective team.
- A description of different styles of teams
The leaflet should be appropriately presented.
LO1
AC 1.1, 1.2
The learner must provide a comprehensive description of the qualities that make a team effective, using examples to show understanding The description must include at least four different team styles and have examples of these.
Task 2 – Effective leadership
In sections 3 and 4 of the leaflet you must provide:
- An outline of the role of a team leader and the skills and qualities needed to be an effective leader.
- A description of different leadership styles.
Extension activities:
To gain a Merit grade you must also:
- Use your journal to explain YOUR preferred leadership style To gain a Distinction grade you must also use your journal to:
- Complete an evaluation of a specific, individual’s team leadership skills
LO2. AC. 2.1, 2.2.
The learner must provide a clear outline of the role of a leader providing a range of functions and using examples of leadership to support the statements which are made.
There must be a full explanation of the skills and qualities which leaders need to exhibit in order to be effective.
The learner must give an explanation of at least five different leadership styles and support these with examples.
Task 3 – Motivating People
You are to prepare a presentation, with accompanying notes, for other students in your group. The presentation should cover:
• An explanation of major theories of motivation
• Key factors that motivate and demotivate individuals in work situations
Extension activities:
To gain a Merit grade you must also:
• Use your journal to assess the factors that motivate and demotivate YOU.
LO3. AC. 3.1, 3.2. 3M1
The learner must explain what motivation is in a business context and include at least four major theories of motivation.
The description must contain at least four attitudes/behaviours that motivate and four that demotivate people in work situations.
Task 4 – Effective Delegation You are to write a report that:
- Explains what delegation is and the difference between delegation and the abdication of responsibility
- Describes the benefits and risks of delegation for both the manager and the team.
Extension activities:
To gain a Merit grade you must also:
- Describe and assess the Eight steps used to achieve successful delegation
The learner must explain clearly what is meant by effective delegation and then explain how this differs from abdication of responsibility.
The learner must describe the benefits and risks of delegation for a manager.
As well as the benefits and risks of delegation for the team.
The answer should also include examples of the types of tasks that are most suitable for delegation
Task 5 – Influencing skills
Use your journal to:
- Explain what influencing is and how it operates in your working life.
- Describe the actions and behaviours you need to demonstrate when you attempt to influence others.
- Explain the negotiation process.
LO5. AC. 5.1, 5.2, 5.3.
The learner must provide a clear explanation of influencing behaviour and give at least three examples of people they need to influence in their working life.
The working life can refer to employed status or work in a voluntary or personal capacity The answer should identify both the behaviours that they demonstrate and the actions they take when attempting to influence another person.
There must be an explanation of the negotiating process. This must include the benefits of win/win situations using appropriate examples to illustrate the answer.
Task 6 – Building and maintaining interpersonal relationships
Use your journal to:
• Explain the importance of creating good interpersonal relationships at work
• Explain the differences between positive, negative and constructive feedback.
• Describe the common causes and indications of disagreements within work teams
• Explain different approaches to conflict resolution within the workplace.
Extension activities:
To gain a Merit grade you must also:
• Use your journal to analyse the characteristics of good interpersonal
relationships with work colleagues.
• Describe the six step approach to conflict management.
To gain a Distinction grade you must also:
• Use your journal to analyse the characteristics of effective feedback
• Evaluate feedback you have received and assess its effectiveness.
The learner must explain the characteristics of good interpersonal relationships in a work context and use examples to demonstrate the importance of each.
The explanation of feedback should use examples to illustrate the difference between: positive, negative and constructive feedback. It should address both how to give and how to receive positive and negative feedback. The common causes of conflict within teams should be described as well as the signs that show conflict and the tactics used in conflict situations. Examples must be provided to demonstrate understanding.
