Mgt 521 - Team Leadership

Team Leadership

Alex Pate

MGT/521

1/19/2015

Rebecca Allen

Team Leadership

As a part of Zenefit’s strategic plan to enter in to a new market segment, I have been asked to manage a new team in this segment to start our market penetration out on the right path.  Given that this new market is unfamiliar territory with our company I have allotted to allow our product management team to do the basis research to find out what our goals should be for this team.  I will be managing the team to ensure that we are able to achieve those goals efficiently and effectively.  Because I did not have the opportunity to put together the team myself it is imperative that I know each individual on the team very well and learn the way they need to be managed to be successful.

Leadership Evaluation

I have had years and year of different experiences being managed by different types of individuals and most of my experiences have not been very pleasant.  It is through all of this experience that I have learned how I do not want to be treated as an employee. I want to work hard and play hard all in the same token.  I want to be respected for my opinions and values while not being afraid to speak up if I need to.  I want to be able to come to work and be myself without fear of someone firing me or punishing me for having a brain.  I truly believe this is what others want as well.  As a part of my research for managing a team of employees with different backgrounds and mentalities I asked them to turn in personality assessments to help me learn how each of them prefers to be rewarded and managed.  Although there are only two other people on this team that I will be managing I learned some very valuable information with the personality assessments that were turned in.  Teresa identifies herself as someone that is openly emotional and her needed rewards are in terms of acts of services and gratitude.  She values being able to live her life in a way that makes other people feel good and positive.  Based on her feedback I will be less tough on her and allow her to take time for herself when she really needs to.  Giving Teresa pats on the back and letting her learn her at her own pace will be very important to keep her engaged on the team and performing well.   Eli on the other hand is very tactical and hands on.  He prefers to learn by doing something and doesn’t really need pats on the back.  His reward is the accomplishment of performing on his own.   Valuing his work ethic and rewarding him financially will be the best way to keep Eli motivated and successful here at Zenefits.