Team Work Preference 1

Running Head: TEAM WORK PREFERENCE

Team Work Preference Paper In APA Style Simone Daley-Mahabeer (3547031) Misha Haye (1013645) Nadja Bacchas (2542708) Denton Smith (3850727) Mary Ann Adriano (3809332) Josette Robinson (3576849) Florida International University

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Abstract

Using the Work Preference Indicator (WPI), we have measured our individual job task preferences, with the hope of learning and understanding each others strengths as it relates to the type of work that we each enjoy and prefer. It has provided for greater insight as to how we will work together and is indicative of our competitive edge.

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Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results (Andrew Carnegie). As we work together for the next eighteen to twenty months, it is critical that we are aware of each others area of expertise and how best we can work together to make use of the competitive advantages while achieving our common goals. An impactful tool streamlined to evaluate individuals working style, the Work Performance Indicator (WPI), provides individuals with an opportunity to assess themselves and their teammates as it highlights their work preference. This is predominantly broken down into three main areas: achievement, relationship or technical oriented. This facilitates for a better understanding of personalities and the contribution of equitable measurement input by each team member based on his or her area of expertise.

According to the WPI report, our six (6) member team is comprised of four different types of personalities each bringing their own unique set of powerful gifts which will benefit the overall team. The four (4) identifiable personality types are; Team Captain, Team Facilitator (2), Team Strategist and Technical Expert (2). individuals strengths and their different advantages will be examined in the following paragraphs. Each

It should be noted that all team members are regarded as being goal/achievement oriented scoring above seventyfive percent (75%). We all work hard at executing tasks with a set goal in mind and prefer to have clear directions at achieving tasks to benefit the team or the general organization while striving for excellence. We take pride in jobs given; we are self -motivated and set goals in order to achieve success. These traits will be very useful in executing team assignments in a timely manner and keeping team members focused. TABLE 1, GRAPHS 1 to 9 in the Appendix (p. 8 13), shows how the team scored in the respective areas and TABLE 2 (p. 14) highlights the type of individuals that we are, roles, strengths, potential strength and competitive strengths.

Based on the results of the WPI, Misha Haye and Mary Ann Adriano were identified as Team Facilitators, and ranked highest as being Relationship Oriented with similar personalities. They are both helpful, team oriented individuals who according to the WPI exhibit strong Time Management and Flexible traits. These individuals value, inspire and motivate team members to operate at their optimum level. It is very important to Misha and Mary Ann to be Liked by Others and the WPI shows that they have an exceptional awareness of others needs and care about what they think and feel. In order to achieve the goals of the team they are willing to share ideas, collaborate

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and work effectively at ensuring success of the entire team. Misha and Mary Ann will be vital in holding the team together, acting as both a mediator and motivator. Additionally, with both receiving high scores in Task Specificity they may be seen as efficient, reliable and conscientious team members and because of this clear direction they work hard at not disappointing their team members.

However, while they have similar characteristics they also possess unique strengths that will also contribute to the success of the team. Misha is seen to be an outgoing and fun person to work with, who helps to create a harmonious working environment and build relationships. She received a ninety-seven percent (97%) score in Leading and therefore, possesses strong leadership qualities and is not afraid to take charge of situations. She is willing to take on additional responsibilities in order to get this done. However, because of her high scores in Working in Teams she can also be seen as a considerate leader with whom individuals will be willing to work with. Her high Time Management score indicates that she prefers to operate in an organized, timely and planned environment. She is, therefore, good at making plans and seeing to it that they are completed. The results relating to Dealing with facts reveal that she prefers to rely on factual and concrete information and is, therefore, very detail oriented. This strength will prove very helpful in managing the administrative aspects of the team as well as in research projects. Misha received a ninety percent (90%) score in Focus on Ideas which is a sign that she likes building on ideas and presenting them in a unique way. Her ability to generate knowledge through creative thinking should assist the team in preparing dynamic group presentations.

Mary Ann Adriano as described by the WPI is a very ambitious and motivated individual who is interested in progressing on the career ladder and will aspire to do her best at whatever task she is give. She is a Visual Learner who is very interested and motivated to learn through the use of manuals, books, guides or literature that will help in improving performance. This points to her strength of being a detail oriented person and is a definite advantage as she will be able to gather and retain critical information for the teams different research assignments. Although Mary Ann prefers to work according to a schedule, she is also very flexible (96% score) and adapts easily to changing circumstances. This is an important asset as it indicates that she should not get flustered easily when interrupted and should have the ability to damage control and deal with issues as they arise. She is also highly creative and considered an original thinker who focuses on the long term goals. Her strong interest in Working

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with Data is also another asset, which the WPI report identified. She has a higher interest than most others and this will benefit the entire group because she will be able to support her team members with her ability to master quantitative material such as budgets and financial statements. Mary Ann received high scores ranging between ninety-two percent (92%) and ninety-four percent (94%) in the areas Liked by others/Helpful to others and these scores identify her as the type of person that promotes effective relationships with colleagues and team members; encouraging others to share their views and builds rapport among fellow team members. She has the ability to deal with conflicts in a constructive manner by identifying it as early as possible and facilitating its resolution. As a person who enjoys working in teams (i.e. team oriented), Mary Ann enjoys sharing ideas and successes with her team members, supports and acts in accordance with team decisions. She will remain committed to the team accepting joint responsibility for the teams successes and shortcomings, working collaboratively with her team members to achieve positive results.

The WPI has defined Josette Robinson as being a self-directed, highly ambitious Team Strategist, with a take charge attitude. One of Josettes greatest strengths is that she seeks to progress with a clear direction and is not willing to settle. Task Specificity, the need to have specific instructions regarding assignments is an asset to the team as she is likely to remain focused on executing the task in a timely and accurate manner based on the outlined needs. Time Management is very important to her and she operates best by planning events, creating a schedule and sticking to it. However, she does not want to be restricted or limited by a schedule and may apply some degree of flexibility to adapt to unexpected changes. She has a high interest in Working with Data which speaks to her strength in working with numbers and data analysis which is beneficial to the team given the different quantitative courses that form a part of the program. Josettes preference to Focus on Ideas shows that she has a creative mind and prefers to work with ideas and has the ability to think outside the box and may be considered an original thinker. Although receiving a score of ten percent (10%) in the area Liked by others, the WPI report has highlighted this as a potential strength as she is able to make logical decisions in an unbiased manner. Being Helpful to others is important to Josette and she possesses strong interpersonal skills and is supportive and strives to work well with her team.

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Our teams two Technical Experts, Nadja Bacchas and Denton Smith are described by the results of the WPI as being very industrious, self-directed individuals who have superior technical knowledge and like to master the technical aspect of the work. They are seen as having a keen ability to figure things out and this is considered a good fit for any team or organization. While they share some similar characteristics there still remains remarkable differences. Nadjas WPI results illustrate that she is an all-rounder because of the high scores she received in all three (3) Major Factors. She is motivated to achieve and progress in her career, has a high self-esteem and is confident in getting the job done and overcoming challenges. As with other team members Nadja works best when she has clear directions and knows what is expected and is committed to working at achieving the goals in a timely and accurate manner. With high scores in both Time Management and Flexible Nadja strikes a balance in being organized but spontaneous and is regarded as an excellent trouble shooter. Her ability to deal with facts and still focus on ideas shows that she has a strong potential of analyzing data, developing and implementing new systems. She is also exceptionally skilled at working with and repairing objects and getting them to work. Nadjas high scores in being Helpful to Others and Working in Teams help to identify her strong interpersonal qualities. She is highly considerate and supportive of others and is receptive to getting and sharing ideas and working together as a team.

As a technical expert, Dentons main strengths as provided by the WPI results are noted to be Working with Data (74%) and Mechanical Interests (55%). He is seen as an individual whose expertise lies in data analysis and is skilled at fixing things who will aid in directing the group in these specific areas. His additional strengths include his liking to Focus on Ideas (90%) which suggest that, similar to other team members he is a very intuitive person who sees trends before others may see them. He would prefer to understand and visualize things and if possible implement changes that would improve the task. Denton is considered by the WPI a helpful and caring individual with strong interpersonal skills as well as a team oriented individual.

The Results Oriented Team Player Team Captain, Simone Mahabeer is defined by the WPI as an individual who likes to work with and through people. With high scores in Results Oriented Behavior, Job Fulfillment, Career Ladder and Working in Teams she is regarded as an ambitious person who strives to be a team player, caring about how others are treated, sharing ideas and listening to fellow team members. The WPI shows that the Team

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Captain has similar preferences to the other team members such as her need to achieve the desired goals, work with a clear direction, making plans and ensuring that the job is done. Simones high score of seventy-six percent (76%) on Focus on Ideas identifies her as a very conceptual or intuitive person who prefers to think in original and creative ways. These characteristics are very important as they will be used to establish the teams goals and accomplish them while enabling all to gain a greater sense of personal worth.

From analyzing the collective WPI results of the Team, there are two (2) personality traits that are not present, namely Team Planner and Team Coach. The Team Coach creates agreement and harmony across the team, by creating a positive team atmosphere, and motivates everyone by building a great rapport and synergy within the team. The Team Planner produces structure and ensures that the team environment reflects this and introduces a logical organization into the way things are done by promoting a clear division of responsibilities, creating clear instructions and feedback to the team members.

With reference to TABLE 1; p. 8 the technical expertise of the team equals sixty-one percent (61%), whereas the relationship and achievement orientation is seventy-one (71%) and eighty percent (80%), respectively. The teams strengths and competitive edge, therefore, lies within our achievement and relationship qualities. Our potential strengths represent the Technical factors attributed to the Team. With reference to the Work Preference Indicator (WPI), Myers-Briggs Style Indicator (MBTI), Management Team Role Indicator (MTR-I) and Holland models (see TABLE 2; p. 14), the synergy and solidarity are very evident and consistent within the team. Likewise, the personality traits of each member are clearly defined to illustrate the team's chemistry.

Following the evaluation we will explore the need for a Team Recruit. The Relationships among WPI Types as shown in CHART 1 and TABLE 3 (p. 16) highlights the possible differences and correspondence team member types constituting an ideal team (not clear?) The opposites include the Strategist The Coach and The Leader The Technical Expert and the latter exists in the Team with one Captain to two Technical Experts. However, the existing 2 Facilitators (Mary Ann and Misha), and the 2 Technical Experts (Denton and Nadja), who possess qualities of being a coach, harmonizer, or councilor, helps to bring balance to the team. We could therefore argue that these relationships eliminate the need to recruit a Team Coach. However, upon reviewing TABLE 1 and the

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aforementioned summaries a Team Planner may be needed to bring more structure to the team and enhance the tactical operations. To compensate for this the Strategist (Josette), or any other member of the team can somehow compensate for this missing personality as based on our highlighted strengths, we should be able to play this role as we engage in participative leadership.

Ideally, a team enables a group of people to achieve results higher than they would as individuals. The WPI is an excellent tool used to identify individuals preferences and scientifically identify these strengths in a group while increasing the chance of creating a more effective team. Team 2 possesses equitable balance of personality traits that provides a synergy and hence, has the capacity to compensate and complement each others abilities and this gives us our competitive leverage. We have our captain who provides guidance and direction, our facilitators who have excellent interpersonal skills and are great team players. The technical experts provide logical reasoning and are very detailed in their approach - this particular skill set will provide the team with an in-depth and rational outlook. The strategist will think outside of the box and therefore, provide creativity in the team and a tactical approach in achieving our desired goals and in turn success.

Coming together is a beginning. Staying together is a progress, and working together is success (Henry Ford)