Harry and Learning Team 28
6 Pages Posted: 21 Oct 2008
Abstract
With so many team-driven activities for students in the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of a business school, students need to have an opportunity to discuss the issues and dilemmas that may arise. Harry's difficulties in mastering finance cause some members of the team to feel frustrated, because they have to spend so much time helping him. When the members pressure the others to spend less time with Harry, other problems arise in the team dynamics, involving such issues as trust, participation, team performance, and quality of learning. Students need to explore alternative ways to improve the situation.
Excerpt
UVA-OB-0804
HARRY AND LEARNING TEAM 28
On a chilly fall evening in early November, the learning team meeting, as always, started at 8:00 pm. All six members, Mark, Jane, Rajesh, Dick, Harry, and Svetlana were seated around the table with their laptops open. Dick was leading the first case for the night. He asked everyone if they were ready to begin the discussion for the Finance case.
Harry responded, “Ok, but can we go more slowly this time? The last time I sat through finance class, the professor asked me a question about which I was clueless.” Dick and Jane exchanged quick glances. Harry seemed to catch the nonverbal gesture. He looked from one to the other, but said nothing. Rajesh replied, “That isn't a problem, Harry. Just ask us about anything that doesn't make sense as we go along. You know that.”
Rajesh waited for Harry to respond. Harry fidgeted in his chair, glanced at Dick, and grimaced slightly. He didn't seem to be satisfied with Rajesh's reassurance, but didn't say anything else to the team.
A New Team Forms at Darden
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Keywords: teams learning teams conflict interpersonal behavior
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