PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Self-Analysis and Professional Development Plan

Self-Analysis and Professional Development Plan

Introduction

The term team refers to teams operating within business organizations that collectively perform various functions, such as marketing or purchasing. Scholars have defined the concept of problem differently. From these diverse definitions of problem, the definition that has been widely accepted as a conceptual ground for understanding problem is that a problem is a situation that incorporates the following three conditions: (a) a surprise to decision makers, (b) a threat to high-priority goals, and (c) a restricted amount of time available for response. An organizational problem is defined by such characteristics as low probability, high impact, and perception of threat to the viability of the organization. For instance, the Tylenol situation encountered by Johnson & Johnson, may cause an unexpected and urgent problem that threatens the high-priority goal of the company. This discussion shall serve to present an analysis of my individual strengths and weaknesses; while drawing from material presented in class, self-reflection, and feedback from team members and other colleagues. In order to do so, the discussion will incorporate an elaboration of the behavior/behaviors I want to improve most and the reasons because of which I wish to do so. In addition, the paper will also shed light on the potential obstacles that stand in my way, the specific things I will do to improve and how and when I will measure my success. It is imperative to highlight at this point that I shall cover these areas in the context of the management of individuals and teams.

Discussion & Analysis

The importance of understanding group performance during stressful situations is present for three reasons: (a) the complexity and range of contemporary tasks often require group efforts; (b) group processes affect group outcomes as much as individual processes; and (c) patterns of group processes are affected by external stressors such as time pressure. Therefore, the scope of problem management research should be expanded to include organizational teams. In fact, problems at this level are becoming more likely because organizational teams today are exposed more directly to highly uncertain environments (Albert, Ashforth & Dutton, 2000). Thus, expanding problem research at the team level is not only essential but also urgently required. Extant studies on problem management in groups have two streams. The first line of research has been focused on group decision making under stress that is often characterized by time pressure, barriers to group goals, or threats to members' self-esteem.

The second stream has been focused on problem-coping processes observed in natural groups. Studies in this category have typically involved an analysis of a single problem event, such as the Challenger disaster, the Mann Gulch disaster, airplane accidents, incidents with explosives, and national disasters. These case studies also diverged from negative group responses to problem, including excessive optimism, the collapse of sense making, and habitual routines. In management of non-routine events, information collection and transfer are better predictors of team performance than are task prioritization and task ...