Juanita Has Just Been Asked to Head a Cross-Functional Team

question 70

Essay

Juanita has just been asked to head a cross-functional team at work, assuming a directive role. Members of her team exhibit various behaviors: Tom speaks long and often, Robert tries to keep tensions low, Jim is never prepared, Monica constantly complains, and Kumar tries to make sure everyone is heard. As they meet the first couple of times, Robert and Kumar push to develop strategies to achieve their goals.
Discuss the various negative and positive roles found in the group. In what ways can the negative roles be diminished? At what stage of team development are Robert and Kumar operating, and what stages should the team go through before strategies are developed?

---

Definitions:

Flexible Accounting Rules

This refers to accounting principles that allow for some degree of judgement or choice in how financial transactions are recorded and reported, providing flexibility in financial reporting.

Earnings Management

The practice of using accounting techniques to produce financial reports that present an overly positive view of a company's business activities and financial position.

Dividend Discount Models

Methods used to value a company's stock by discounting predicted dividends to present value.

P/E Ratios

Price-to-Earnings Ratio, a valuation metric comparing the current share price of a company to its per-share earnings.