Date of Award

2002

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts: Corporate Communications

Department

Business

First Advisor

Michael Castro

Second Advisor

Charlene Engleking

Abstract

This thesis will focus on five top problem areas corporate teams face in regards to effective teamwork and how those areas can be remedied.

Research has revealed five top problem areas: personality conflicts, confused goals, depleted trust, mismatched needs, and leadership failure. These areas consistently challenge those entities where corporate teams are present.

Since the Industrial Revolution work groups, their individual components, and relevant external forces, have been scrutinized by psychologists, sociologists, behaviorists, and business consultants. Many researchers have learned (sometimes by accident) how perception, communication, and commitment can have a direct affect upon teamwork. Through trial and error, corporations have attempted to generate and maintain team synergy in hopes to achieve concrete results.

The purpose of the present study is to uncover patterns of disarray affecting team synergy in five top areas and to provide a blueprint for success to those in distress. Specifically, it is hypothesized that valuable prescriptions exist for both team leaders and their subordinates. These prescriptions can be applied to real life situations in order to cultivate and maximize synergy.

James D. Adams, a credit manager at Capital One Financial Corporation, provided insight into the debilitating obstacles that his team faces. He offered his own experiences parallel to the study as well as his own interpretations and reservations of the results.

Results of the study produced considerable evidence to suggest that mutual respect, alignment of purpose, thoughtful goal setting, honest communication, banishment of hidden agendas, positive view of change, sound judgment, and leverage of assets are just some of the ways the five problem areas addressed can be remedied.

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