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.
I. Foundations of High-Performing Teams
Characteristics and Structure
Successful teams are characterized by a shared, meaningful purpose, interdependence among members, and the presence of psychological safety—a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, or concerns (Edmondson, 1999). Structurally, successful teams maintain an optimal size (typically 6 to 10 members), possess a balanced mix of technical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, and have clearly defined, complementary roles. The structure must align with the type of work; for example, a project team needs high flexibility, while a manufacturing operations team requires clear, repeatable procedures.
The Vital Role of Independent Teams
Independent (or self-managing/self-directing) teams are vital to organizational success because they foster agility, ownership, and accelerated decision-making. These teams are given the autonomy to manage their workflows, solve problems at the source, and make tactical decisions without continuous vertical consultation. This decentralization of authority empowers functional-level teams to innovate rapidly and adapt to market changes. For a merged entity like Blake/Switch, enabling independent project teams is essential for quick integration of systems and processes, bypassing bureaucratic delays often caused by executive-level disagreements or information siloing.
Sample Answer
A Plan for Building High-Performing Teams at Blake Sports/Switch Activewear
Introduction
The merger of Blake Sports Apparel and Switch Activewear, as outlined in the case study, presents a critical challenge: integrating two executive teams with different cultures, operating styles, and established professional silos. For the merged entity to achieve its potential, CEO Barker must transition the various groups, starting with the executive team, from collections of individuals into high-performing, interdependent teams. This plan outlines the strategic steps necessary to build successful teams across all organizational levels, focusing on structural elements, leadership approaches, team dynamics, and specific actions Barker can take to foster collaboration