INSTRUCTIONS:
Please reply to the below student post with at least 400-500 words. For this reply, it must incorporate at least 3 scholarly citations in the proper APA format. Any sources cited, must have been published within the last 3 years. Remember you must incorportae at least 1 biblical citation in the proper APA format.
Module 1 Discussion Board Post: Creating High-Performance Teams
This week’s module requires that the class discuss and reflect upon the formation of high performing teams. Specifically, the focus is to be on recruitment, selection, and training. The idea of teams has been characterized as essential for improving business value in areas like customer service, the accomplishment of greater volumes of work in shorter amounts of time, and the generation of more revenue for the organization (Wheelman, Akerlund, & Jacobsson, 2021). Additionally, the increasingly complex nature of knowledge and specialties supports the idea that a team concept is needed to effectively accomplish tasks that require diverse skill sets.
Recruitment
The recruitment of individuals for a team is a crucial part of the team formation process. Singh, Chen, Del Giudice, & El-Kassar (2019) found that organizations were more likely to find success when hiring new recruiters that already shared common knowledge and motivation with the organization. Thus, it is important for the human resource department to ensure that those up for recruitment are already somewhat aligned with the desires of the company. In order to do seek out these individuals, Haneberg & Aaboen (2020) recommend utilizing “team recruitment activities such as matchmaking events and other network activities” (p. 6). This idea forces the organization to already have an idea of what they are looking for. When that is established they can identify opportunities to attract desired applicants.
Selection
Recruitment and selection of team members are similar in nature. Both require that the organization already have a formulated idea of what is wanted and needed for the team. This implies that the group will be performing specific functions that require more than one talent or skill. As such, the need for a team formation becomes evident to attain desired outcomes. When applying for a specialty job/team, this student was required to not only apply and pass the initial recruiting phase but a rigorous selection process as well. The selection process consisted of performing tasks while being evaluated by already team members. Once complete an in-depth interview process was accomplished and one person was selected to fill the vacancy on the team.
In this experience, the organization designed the entire process around selecting a person that would fit best within the team. Interesting to note too is how the tasks designated for evaluation we designed by the team. They knew what they wanted and what they needed. With that information they developed this process that also gave the recruit the opportunity to feel out the team and future responsibilities. It was, in reality, a condensed training exercise that showed where the goals of the group were and where the applicants needed to be making the process very selective. This falls in line with Pak & Kim (2018) who determined that selective recruitment, staffing, and extensive training greatly enhance overall performance.
Training
As mentioned, training is an important component of increased performance. Training becomes an opportunity for team members to increase their understanding of one another’s skills, talents, and struggles. It also affords for the team a chance to more accurately align team goals and functions. As remarked by Roberts, Webster, Salmon, Flin, Salas, Cooke, Read, & Stanton (2022), “team training works when ‘done right’ and is appropriately informed by the scientific literature” (p. 180). Training then becomes a solidifying component of team performance. As training is specialized and member focused it increases the members capacity within their given functions. As the team’s ability to accomplish goals increases and they become high performers, Wheelman, Akerlund, & Jacobsson (2021) determine that the members increase in their commitment, involvement, and value.
The Lord, Jesus Christ, formulated a very spectacular team as he selected and called member to the apostleship. Saying to Peter and Andrew, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Matthew 4:19). Surely, the Lord knew them and how they would contribute to his goals of spreading the gospel, in particular after his death and resurrection. Throughout his ministry he continued to train, correct, and love them. Through his guidance, they became a remarkable team. Likewise, it is important for teams to learn to function off of the guiding principles of Christ. As they do so, they too, can become more than they could on their own, higher performers.
Reference
Haneberg, Dag Håkon & Aaboen, Lise. 2020. Incubation of technology-based student ventures: The importance of networking and team recruitment. Technology in society 63: 101402. doi: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101402. https://go.exlibris.link/RmnGwmz8
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)
Pak, Jongwook & Kim, Seongsu. 2018. Team Manager’s Implementation, High Performance Work Systems Intensity, and Performance: A Multilevel Investigation. Journal of management 44: 2690-2715. doi: 10.1177/0149206316646829. https://go.exlibris.link/6Tq0W8Sd
Roberts, Aaron P. J., Webster, Leonie V., Salmon, Paul M., Flin, Rhona, Salas, Eduardo, Cooke, Nancy J., Read, Gemma J. M. & Stanton, Neville A.. 2022. State of science: models and methods for understanding and enhancing teams and teamwork in complex sociotechnical systems. Ergonomics 65: 161-187. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2021.2000043. https://go.exlibris.link/K7PvDjKv
Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Chen, Jin, Del Giudice, Manlio & El-Kassar, Abdul-Nasser. 2019. Environmental ethics, environmental performance, and competitive advantage: Role of environmental training. Technological forecasting & social change 146: 203-211. doi: 10.1016/j.techfore.2019.05.032.
Wheelan, S. A., Akerlund, M., & Jacobsson, C. (2021). Creating effective teams: A guide for members and leaders. SAGE Publications, Inc.