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7 views

Hi Class

Uploaded by

jamontespda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Hi Class,

Reflecting on this week's topic, I want to share one of my best and worst team experiences.
My best team experience was at Fundación Huella Local, a non-profit organization in
Chile. I worked as Head of Strategic Alliances for 4 years until 2023, when I moved to
Boston. Our team focused on developing public infrastructure projects through public-
private partnerships in poor neighborhoods, and everyone shared a deep commitment to the
organization's purpose. This shared sense of mission, I think, eliminated internal rivalries
and created a sense of unity. At Huella Local, each team member knew their role, which I
believe made our limited resources more effective. Levi and Askay (2020) highlight that
mutual responsibility and clear roles are essential for team success. Additionally, the
limited financial security of our organization meant we couldn't afford unnecessary internal
conflicts, so generally, discussions remained focused on problem-solving. Katzenbach and
Smith (2005) emphasize that teams with a clear purpose and aligned goals can achieve
collective performance better than the sum of their parts, which perfectly describes this
experience.
In contrast, my worst team experience was at E-press, a communications consultancy where
I worked right after graduating. My team dynamics were poor, with gossiping about
colleagues and clients creating discomfort and mistrust. Moreover, tasks were often poorly
assigned by my former boss, which personally led me to confusion and inefficiency.
Drucker (n.d.) notes that teams need structure and a focus on mutual goals to function
effectively, both of which were missing in this environment. Reflecting on this experience,
I realize how critical it is for leaders to foster an inclusive and respectful culture and ensure
tasks are clearly defined to prevent misunderstandings. Although the experience was
challenging, it taught me valuable lessons about the importance of communication and role
clarity in building successful teams.
From the Survey on Attitudes Toward Teamwork, I have realized that I value teamwork's
task-oriented and social aspects. In this course, I aim to foster an environment where
everyone feels comfortable contributing, ensuring clear communication and collective
accountability. As Robbie (2024) highlights, effective teams are built on shared goals and
open dialogue, which I will seek to promote in my team.

Best,
Juan Montes

References
Drucker, P. F. (n.d.). There’s more than one kind of team. Wall Street Journal.
Katzenbach, J. R., & Smith, D. K. (2005). The discipline of teams. Harvard Business
Review.
Levi, D., & Askay, D. A. (2020). Group dynamics for teams (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Robbie, N. (2024). Week 1 Lecture: Leading Teams Strategically in a Global Environment.

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