After studying the reading in Module 5, please write a one-page short paper to:
Discuss different ways of how global virtual teams coordinate shared leadership.
Discuss how leadership coordination influences the effectiveness of global virtual teams.
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
Coordination of Shared Leadership in Global Virtual Teams
In today’s interconnected world, global virtual teams have become increasingly common as organizations strive to leverage diverse talents across geographical boundaries. These teams often operate in digital environments, relying on technology for communication and collaboration. One of the key challenges they face is the coordination of shared leadership, which is crucial for their effectiveness. Shared leadership refers to a leadership approach where multiple team members take on leadership roles rather than relying on a single leader. This paper discusses different ways global virtual teams coordinate shared leadership and examines how this coordination influences their effectiveness.
Ways of Coordinating Shared Leadership
1. Establishing Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Successful coordination of shared leadership begins with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. By delineating tasks and expectations, team members can understand who leads in specific areas while fostering a sense of ownership and accountability. This clarity prevents overlap and confusion, allowing team members to lead in their areas of expertise.
2. Utilizing Collaborative Technology: Effective use of collaborative technology is essential for coordinating shared leadership in global virtual teams. Tools such as project management software, video conferencing, and instant messaging platforms facilitate communication and enable team members to share insights and updates in real-time. These technologies help break down barriers posed by distance, allowing for seamless coordination among leaders.
3. Cultivating a Culture of Trust: Building a culture of trust is vital for shared leadership to flourish. Team members must feel comfortable sharing ideas, providing feedback, and taking initiative. Leaders can foster trust by encouraging open communication, recognizing contributions, and promoting psychological safety within the team. When trust is established, team members are more likely to step into leadership roles collaboratively.
4. Regular Feedback and Reflection: Implementing regular feedback sessions allows team members to assess their collaborative efforts and leadership dynamics. Reflective practices help identify strengths and areas for improvement, promoting a continuous cycle of learning. This iterative process reinforces shared leadership by enabling team members to adapt their approaches based on collective insights.
Influence of Leadership Coordination on Effectiveness
The coordination of shared leadership significantly influences the effectiveness of global virtual teams. When leadership is well-coordinated, teams benefit from diverse perspectives and skills, which enhances problem-solving capabilities and innovation. Shared leadership encourages active participation from all members, leading to higher engagement levels and ownership of team outcomes.
Moreover, effective coordination fosters adaptability in response to changing circumstances. In a global context, teams often face unforeseen challenges such as time zone differences or cultural misunderstandings. A well-coordinated shared leadership model empowers team members to pivot quickly, leveraging collective strengths to navigate obstacles.
On the other hand, poor coordination can lead to role ambiguity, decreased motivation, and conflicts among team members. Without clear guidelines and effective communication, team dynamics may falter, resulting in missed deadlines and suboptimal performance. Therefore, leaders must prioritize establishing frameworks that promote coordinated shared leadership to maximize team effectiveness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, global virtual teams can enhance their performance by effectively coordinating shared leadership through clear roles, collaborative technology, trust-building, and regular feedback. The extent to which this coordination is achieved directly impacts the team’s overall effectiveness, influencing their ability to innovate, adapt, and succeed in a complex global landscape. As organizations continue to embrace virtual collaboration, understanding and implementing strategies for shared leadership will be critical for navigating the challenges and opportunities that arise in global teamwork.
