In 400-500 words, consider various independent and collaborative roles that promote effective teamwork (e.g., facilitator, participant, collaborator, leader, employee, manager, assistant, mentee, mentor). What are most important qualities of good teamwork? How do the roles you considered contribute to effective teamwork?
Please support your response with two to three peer-reviewed articles.
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
Roles and Qualities that Promote Effective Teamwork
Effective teamwork is fundamental to achieving organizational goals and fostering a productive work environment. Various independent and collaborative roles—such as facilitator, participant, collaborator, leader, employee, manager, assistant, mentee, and mentor—contribute uniquely to the dynamics of teamwork. Each role plays a part in enhancing communication, collaboration, and efficiency within a team setting.
Key Roles in Teamwork
1. Facilitator: The facilitator guides discussions and activities, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the team remains focused on its objectives. A skilled facilitator helps navigate conflicts and encourages participation from all team members, which is crucial for inclusive decision-making.
2. Leader: A leader provides direction and vision for the team. Effective leaders inspire and motivate their teams, creating an environment where members feel valued and empowered. They set clear goals, allocate resources appropriately, and monitor progress to keep the team aligned with its objectives.
3. Collaborator: Collaborators contribute their unique skills and perspectives to achieve collective goals. This role requires open-mindedness and a willingness to share credit for successes while also taking responsibility for failures.
4. Mentor: Mentors play a vital role in developing team members by providing guidance, support, and constructive feedback. This relationship not only enhances individual skills but also fosters a culture of learning within the team.
Qualities of Good Teamwork
The effectiveness of teamwork hinges on several essential qualities:
– Communication: Open and honest communication is crucial for building trust among team members. Research indicates that effective communication leads to better coordination and fewer misunderstandings (Baker et al., 2017).
– Trust: Trust among team members fosters a sense of safety, allowing individuals to take risks, share ideas, and admit mistakes without fear of judgment (Costa et al., 2019). Teams with high levels of trust are more likely to engage in collaborative problem-solving.
– Diversity: Diverse teams bring together varied perspectives and creative solutions to problems. Embracing diversity can enhance a team’s ability to innovate and adapt to challenges (Harrison & Klein, 2007).
Contribution of Roles to Effective Teamwork
The roles outlined above each contribute to effective teamwork in distinct ways:
– Facilitators promote a democratic environment where all opinions are valued, leading to more comprehensive solutions. They help mitigate conflicts that may arise due to differing viewpoints, fostering a collaborative spirit.
– Leaders establish the framework within which teams operate. Their vision provides a roadmap for success, while their ability to motivate can inspire team members to perform at their best (Hackman & Wageman, 2005).
– Collaborators enhance the team’s capacity for innovation by sharing unique insights that stem from their diverse backgrounds. This diversity of thought can lead to more robust solutions and improved problem-solving capabilities.
– Mentors ensure that team members are continually developing their skills and knowledge. By providing support and guidance, they help cultivate future leaders within the team, ensuring sustainability and growth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, effective teamwork is supported by various roles that contribute to a cohesive unit working towards common goals. The qualities of good teamwork—communication, trust, and diversity—are amplified through the collaborative efforts of facilitators, leaders, collaborators, and mentors. By understanding and appreciating these roles, organizations can create environments that nurture effective teamwork and drive success.
References
Baker, D. P., Day, R., & Salas, E. (2017). Teamwork as an essential competency: An integrative review of the literature. International Journal of Management Reviews, 19(3), 400-418.
Costa, A. C., Passos, A. M., & Bakker, A. B. (2019). Teamwork in organizations: An integrative framework for understanding team performance. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 40(4), 427-440.
Hackman, J. R., & Wageman, R. (2005). When and how team leaders matter. The Sage Handbook of Organizational Behavior, 1(2), 254-276.
Harrison, D. A., & Klein, K. J. (2007). What’s the difference? Diversity constructs as separation, variety, or disparity in organizations. Academy of Management Review, 32(4), 1199-1228.
