Scenario
Your boss has created a new task force responsible for completing a project for a significant client. He has asked you to head the team, as you have the most experience. Your boss has also indicated that many team members have stated that they have never experienced working in a team format and are unsure of their place in the team. He would like you to prepare a presentation to present to the team on the day of the first meeting.
Instructions
In your presentation, he would like you to include the following information:
Describe the needs that must be fulfilled for a human to function optimally.
Describe Emotional intelligence and how it affects a person as an individual and a team member.
Differentiate between individuals and teams.
Provide examples of attributes that make an effective team.Provide examples of possible issues or barriers associated with working in a team.Group “ice breaker” activity to begin to build your team.
PowerPoint Presentation should have a minimum of seven slides, not including title and reference pages, with the required information. The presentation should be “attractive” and include colors and graphics where appropriate.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Below is an outline for a PowerPoint presentation designed for your first team meeting. It includes all the required information, structured in a way that is engaging and informative. Each slide includes suggested content and speaker notes to help guide your presentation.
PowerPoint Presentation Outline: Building an Effective Team
Title Slide
– Title: Building an Effective Team
– Subtitle: Strategies for Success
– Your Name
– Date
Slide 1: Introduction
– Content: Overview of the presentation agenda.
Speaker Notes:
Welcome everyone! Today, we will discuss key elements that contribute to building an effective team. We will cover the essential needs for optimal human functioning, explore the concept of emotional intelligence, differentiate between individuals and teams, identify attributes of effective teams, and recognize potential barriers to teamwork. We’ll also engage in a fun icebreaker activity to kick off our collaboration. Let’s get started!
Slide 2: Basic Human Needs for Optimal Functioning
– Content: Overview of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.- Physiological Needs (food, water, shelter)
– Safety Needs (security, stability)
– Love and Belonging (relationships, community)
– Esteem Needs (achievement, recognition)
– Self-Actualization (personal growth)
Speaker Notes:
To function optimally, humans have certain needs that must be fulfilled. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, these include physiological needs such as food and shelter, safety needs for security, love and belonging through relationships, esteem needs for recognition and achievement, and ultimately self-actualization for personal growth. In a team setting, it is crucial that all members feel safe and valued so that they can contribute effectively. Fulfilling these needs fosters a positive environment that encourages collaboration and innovation.
Slide 3: Understanding Emotional Intelligence (EI)
– Content: Definition and components of EI.- Self-awareness
– Self-regulation
– Motivation
– Empathy
– Social skills
Speaker Notes:
Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions while understanding the emotions of others. The key components of EI are self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. High emotional intelligence affects individuals positively by enhancing self-esteem and resilience. In a team context, it helps members communicate effectively, resolve conflicts amicably, and build strong relationships. Teams with emotionally intelligent members are more adaptable and better at navigating challenges (Goleman, 1995).
Slide 4: Individuals vs. Teams
– Content: Key differences between individuals and teams.- Individuals work independently vs. Teams collaborate
– Individual accountability vs. Shared accountability
– Unique skills vs. Diverse skills
Speaker Notes:
While individuals and teams both play vital roles in the workplace, there are key differences between them. Individuals often work independently and are solely responsible for their tasks, while teams collaborate towards a common goal, sharing accountability for outcomes. Furthermore, individuals may possess unique skills that contribute to their work, whereas teams benefit from diverse skills that enhance creativity and problem-solving capabilities. Understanding these differences is essential as we navigate our project together.
Slide 5: Attributes of an Effective Team
– Content: Examples of effective team attributes.- Clear communication
– Trust and respect
– Collaborative spirit
– Defined roles and responsibilities
– Shared goals
Speaker Notes:
Effective teams exhibit specific attributes that contribute to their success. Clear communication ensures that all team members are aligned and informed. Trust and respect among members foster open dialogue and collaboration. A spirit of collaboration encourages innovative problem-solving, while well-defined roles and responsibilities help streamline efforts. Lastly, having shared goals unites the team’s efforts towards a common purpose. By cultivating these attributes, we can enhance our productivity and effectiveness as a team.
Slide 6: Possible Issues or Barriers in Teamwork
– Content: Common barriers to effective teamwork.- Lack of communication
– Conflict among team members
– Undefined roles
– Resistance to change
Speaker Notes:
While teamwork can lead to remarkable outcomes, several issues or barriers can hinder progress. Lack of communication may result in misunderstandings or missed deadlines. Conflict among team members can arise from differing opinions or personalities if not managed effectively. Undefined roles may lead to overlap or gaps in responsibilities, creating confusion. Additionally, resistance to change can stifle innovation and adaptability. Recognizing these barriers early on will allow us to address them proactively.
Slide 7: Icebreaker Activity
– Content: Group “Icebreaker” activity instructions.
Speaker Notes:
To help us start building our team dynamics, we’ll participate in a quick icebreaker activity called “Two Truths and a Lie.” Each member will share three statements about themselves—two true statements and one false statement—while the rest of the group tries to guess which one is the lie. This activity not only fosters engagement but also helps us learn more about each other in a fun way. Let’s take turns sharing our statements!
Slide 8: Conclusion
– Content: Recap of key points.
Speaker Notes:
In conclusion, we’ve explored the essential needs for optimal functioning, the importance of emotional intelligence in ourselves and as team members, the key differences between individuals and teams, effective team attributes, potential barriers to teamwork, and engaged in an icebreaker activity to start our collaboration. As we move forward with our project, let’s keep these principles in mind to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.
Slide 9: References
– Content: List of scholarly references.
Speaker Notes:
Here is a list of references that informed our presentation today. [Insert APA citations for any scholarly articles or resources used throughout your presentation.]
Design Elements:
– Use a professional theme that aligns with your organizational branding.
– Incorporate graphics such as images of diverse teams working together or infographics summarizing emotional intelligence.
– Use colors that are visually appealing but not distracting; maintain consistency in font styles.
This presentation structure ensures clarity and engagement while providing valuable information that will help your team start off on the right foot. Good luck with your presentation!
