Essay Grade

Write a paper (1,500-1,750 words) in which you address the following based on the information
provided in the “West Coast Transit Case Study” resource.
1. Define the three criteria for evaluating effective team/group work (as stated in the reading
this week) and analyze whether the “team” assembled by Bernie Hollis and Pete Denson is
effective or not.
2. Provide a review of each of Tuckman’s five stages of group formation and identify what stage(s)
are evident in the case. Explain your answer.
3. Define Schein’s three behavioral profile roles during team entry and identify how the profiles
are demonstrated in the case. Explain your answer.
4. Was the communication among the participants in the case effective or not? Justify your
answer (this is not just an opinion).
5. The Organizational Behavior textbook describes two main types of conflict. Define them and
then describe the type (s) of conflict that are evident in the case.
6. Propose how Denson should manage the conflict in this case using one direct conflict
management and one indirect conflict management approach? Explain your response.
7. Identify one specific task leadership activity and one specific maintenance activity that should
be encouraged. Identify the most significant disruptive behavior that should be discouraged.
8. Identify the most obvious individual motivational problems experienced by Jing, Mahonney, and
Tanney. How should Denson motivate each person? Be sure to provide a specific motivational
suggestion for each person based on that person’s motivational needs. Ensure that at you have
at least one suggestions from each of the motivational theories/techniques (content theories,
process theories, and reinforcement strategies).
Use at least two academic resources as references for this assignment.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the
Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become
familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student
Success Center.
HINT on week five paper – Communication and Active Listening
Class, as part of your “West Coast Transit” paper you be required to define effective communication
and active listening. Below is a short video that discusses how to speak in a way that will make people
listen:

Tell me how these skills will help you be a better leader. Substantial responses will count towards
participation.
Reference:
Treasure, J. (2011, July 29). Julian Treasure: 5 ways to listen better. Retrieved January 31, 2015
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSohjlYQI2A
Here is the RUBRIC- how she will give points for the assignment!
West Coast Transit Case
1
2
Unsatisfactor Less than
y
Satisfactory
0.00%
65.00%
3
Satisfactory
75.00%
4
Good
85.00%
5
Excellent
100.00%
80.0 %Content
10.0 %Evaluating Definitions of Definitions of Definitions of Definitions of Definitions of
Effective
the three
the three
the three
the three
the three
Team/Group
criteria for
criteria for
criteria for
criteria for
criteria for
Work
evaluating an evaluating an evaluating an evaluating an evaluating an
effective team effective team effective team effective team effective team
and an analysis and an analysis and an analysis and an analysis and an analysis
of whether the of whether the of whether the of whether the of whether the
team
team
team
team
team
assembled in assembled in assembled in assembled in assembled in
the West Coast the West Coast the West Coast the West Coast the West Coast
Transit case is Transit case is Transit case is Transit case is Transit case is
effective or not effective are effective are effective are effective or not
are absent,
vague or
provided, but clear and well are thorough
inappropriate, incomplete.
at a cursory
developed.
and detailed.
or irrelevant. Supporting
level.
Supporting
The paper
material is
Supporting
material is of provides
often
material is of above average examples and
confusing or baseline
quality and
insight to
inappropriate. acceptable
quantity.
further
quality and
understanding.
quantity.
Supporting
material is of
exceptional
quality and
quantity.
10.0 %Review of A review of A review of A review of A review of A review of
the Five Stages of the five stages the five stages the five stages the five stages the five stages
Group Formation of group
of group
of group
of group
of group
formation is formation is formation is formation is formation is
absent,
vague or
provided, but clear and well thorough and
inappropriate, incomplete.
at a cursory
integrated. A well
or irrelevant. An evaluation level. It
clear
integrated. A
An evaluation of the stage(s) includes a
evaluation of detailed
of what stage currently
rudimentary the stage(s)
evaluation of
is currently
evident in the evaluation of currently
the stage(s)
evident in the West Coast
the stage(s)
evident in the currently
West Coast
Transit case is
absent,
inappropriate,
or irrelevant.
Transit case is
weak or
marginal with
gaps in logic.
Supporting
material is
often
confusing or
inappropriate.
currently
evident in the
West Coast
Transit case.
Supporting
material is of
baseline
acceptable
quality and
quantity.
West Coast
Transit case is
included.
Supporting
material is of
above average
quality and
quantity.
6.0 %Three
Definitions of
Behavioral Roles the three
behavioral
roles and an
identification
of how those
roles are
evident in the
West Coast
Transit case
are absent,
inappropriate,
or irrelevant.
Definitions of
the three
behavioral
roles and an
identification
of how those
roles are
evident in the
West Coast
Transit case
are weak or
marginal with
gaps in
presentation.
Supporting
material is
often
confusing or
inappropriate.
Definitions of
the three
behavioral
roles and an
identification
of how those
roles are
evident in the
West Coast
Transit case
are provided,
but on a
cursory level.
Supporting
material is of
baseline
acceptable
quality and
quantity.
Definitions of
the three
behavioral
roles and an
identification
of how those
roles are
evident in the
West Coast
Transit case
are clear and
well
integrated.
Justification
for the
discussion is
clearly
articulated.
Supporting
material is of
above average
quality and
quantity.
9.0
A discussion
%Effectiveness of regarding the
Communication effectiveness
of
A discussion
regarding the
effectiveness
of
A discussion
regarding the
effectiveness
of
A discussion
regarding
effectiveness
of the
evident in the
West Coast
Transit case is
included. The
paper provides
examples and
insight to
further
understanding.
Supporting
material is of
exceptional
quality and
quantity.
Definitions of
the three
behavioral
roles and an
identification
of how those
roles are
evident in the
West Coast
Transit case
are thorough
and well
integrated.
Justification is
clearly
developed,
with examples
that show that
meaning and
message were
conveyed, to
further
understanding.
Supporting
material is of
exceptional
quality and
quantity.
A discussion
regarding the
effectiveness
of
in the West Coast communicatio communicatio communicatio communicatio communicatio
Transit Case
n evident in
n evident in
n evident in
n evident in n evident in
the West Coast the West Coast the West Coast the West Coast the West Coast
Transit case is Transit case is Transit case is Transit case is Transit case is
absent,
vague or
provided, but clear and well thorough and
inappropriate, incomplete.
on a cursory integrated.
well
or irrelevant. Justification level.
Justification integrated.
for the
Supporting
for the
Justification is
discussion is material is of discussion is clearly
weak or
baseline
clearly
developed,
marginal with acceptable
articulated.
with examples
gaps in
quality and
Supporting
that show that
presentation. quantity.
material is of meaning and
Supporting
above average message were
material is
quality and
conveyed, to
often
quantity.
further
confusing or
understanding.
inappropriate.
Supporting
material is of
exceptional
quality and
quantity.
5.0 %Types of
A description A description A description A description A description
Conflict in the
of the two
of the two
of the two
of the two
of the two
West Coast
main types of main types of main types of main types of main types of
Transit Case
conflict as well conflict in the conflict in the conflict in the conflict in
as an
West Coast
West Coast
West Coast
West Coast
identification Transit case is Transit case is Transit case is Transit case is
of the type of vague,
provided, but clear and well thorough and
conflict
incomplete.
on a cursory integrated. An well
evident in the An
level. An
identification integrated. An
West Coast
identification identification of the type of identification
Transit case is of the type of of the type of conflict
of the type of
absent,
conflict
conflict
evident in the conflict is
inappropriate, evident in the evident in the West Coast
thorough and
or irrelevant. West Coast
West Coast
Transit case is clearly
Transit case is Transit case is clearly
developed.
weak or
rudimentary. articulated and Supporting
marginal with Supporting
justified.
material is of
gaps in
material is of Supporting
exceptional
presentation. baseline
material is of quality and
Supporting
acceptable
above average quantity.
material is
quality and
quality and
often
quantity.
quantity.
confusing or
inappropriate.
5.0
%Recommendati
on of Direct
Conflict
Management
Approach
A
recommendati
on of a direct
conflict
management
approach that
Denson could
use to manage
the conflict is
absent,
irrelevant or
inappropriate.
A
recommendati
on of a direct
conflict
management
approach that
Denson could
use to manage
the conflict is
vague
incomplete,
weak or
marginal, with
gaps in
presentation.
Supporting
material is
often
confusing or
inappropriate.
A
recommendati
on of a direct
conflict
management
approach that
Denson could
use to manage
the conflict is
provided, but
is cursory or
rudimentary.
Supporting
material is of
baseline
acceptable
quality and
quantity.
A
recommendati
on of a direct
conflict
management
approach that
Denson could
use to manage
the conflict is
clearly
articulated and
well
integrated.
Supporting
material is of
above average
quality and
quantity.
5.0
%Recommendati
on of Indirect
Conflict
Management
Approach
A
recommendati
on of an
indirect
conflict
management
approach that
Denson could
use to manage
the conflict is
absent,
irrelevant or
inappropriate.
A
recommendati
on of an
indirect
conflict
management
approach that
Denson could
use to manage
the conflict is
vague
incomplete,
weak or
marginal, with
gaps in
presentation.
Supporting
material is
often
confusing or
inappropriate.
A
recommendati
on of an
indirect
conflict
management
approach that
Denson could
use to manage
the conflict is
provided, but
is cursory or
rudimentary.
Supporting
material is of
baseline
acceptable
quality and
quantity.
A
recommendati
on of an
indirect
conflict
management
approach that
Denson could
use to manage
the conflict is
clearly
articulated and
well
integrated.
Supporting
material is of
above average
quality and
quantity.
A
recommendati
on of a direct
conflict
management
approach that
Denson could
use to manage
the conflict is
thorough,
clearly
developed and
well
integrated,
with examples
that aid insight
to further
understanding.
Supporting
material is of
exceptional
quality and
quantity.
A
recommendati
on of an
indirect
conflict
management
approach that
Denson could
use to manage
the conflict is
thorough,
clearly
developed, and
well
integrated,
with examples
that aid insight
to further
understanding.
Supporting
material is of
exceptional
quality and
quantity.
10.0 %Tasks,
Identification Identification Identification Identification Identification
Maintenance, and of a task and of a task and of a task and of a task and of a task and
Dysfunctional
maintenance maintenance maintenance maintenance maintenance
Activities
activity that activity that activity that activity that activity that
should be
should be
should be
should be
should be
encouraged as encouraged as encouraged as encouraged as encouraged as
well as the
well as the
well as the
well as the
well as the
most
most
most
most
most
disruptive
disruptive
disruptive
disruptive
disruptive
behavior that behavior that behavior that behavior that behavior that
should be
should be
should be
should be
should be
discouraged in discouraged in discouraged in discouraged in discouraged in
the West Coast the West Coast the West Coast the West Coast the West Coast
Transit case is Transit case is Transit case is Transit case is Transit case is
absent,
weak or
satisfactory. clearly
clearly
inappropriate, marginal, with Supporting
articulated.
developed,
or irrelevant. gaps in
material is of Supporting
with examples
presentation. baseline
material is of and personal
Supporting
acceptable
above average insight to
material is
quality and
quality and
further
often
quantity.
quantity.
understanding.
confusing or
Supporting
inappropriate.
material is of
exceptional
quality and
quantity.
15.0
An
An
An
An
An
%Motivational identification identification identification identification identification
Problems and
of motivational of motivational of motivational of motivational of motivational
Motivational
problems
problems
problems
problems
problems
Theories
evident in the evident in the evident in the evident in the evident in the
West Coast
West Coast
West Coast
West Coast
West Coast
Transit case, Transit case, Transit case, Transit case, Transit case,
with three
with a relevant with a relevant with a relevant with a relevant
suggestions
suggestion
suggestion
suggestion for suggestion for
that represent linked to each linked to each motivating
motivating
each of the
team member, team member, each team
each team
motivational is vague or
is provided, member, is
member, is
theories to
incomplete. A but on a
clear and well thorough and
motivating
motivational cursory level. integrated. A well
each member, theory from A motivational motivational integrated. A
is absent,
each required theory from theory from motivational
inappropriate, area is not
each required each required theory from
or irrelevant. adequately
area is
area is
each required
addressed.
Supporting
material is
often
confusing or
inappropriate.
5.0 %Research
Sources
(relevancy,
quantity, and
type
specifications)
included but
underdevelope
d. Supporting
material is of
baseline
acceptable
quality and
quantity.
included and
clearly
articulated.
Supporting
material is of
above average
quality and
quantity.
area is
included and
clearly
developed and
justified, with
examples and
personal
insight to
further
understanding.
Supporting
material is of
exceptional
quality and
quantity.
Sources are
Source
Source
Source
Source
not used or
relevance is relevance is relevance is relevance is
cited as
vague or
mostly
applicable and applicable and
required in the inconsistent. applicable and appropriate in appropriate in
assignment
References
appropriate. all instances. all instances
instructions. from
References
References
and sparks
Noncredible appropriate
from
from
interest in the
sources are
sources are not appropriate
appropriate
reader to
used.
included: at
sources are
sources are
pursue further
least two
included: at
included: at
investigation.
academic
least two
least two
References
resources.
academic
academic
from
resources.
resources.
appropriate
sources are
used: more
than two
academic
resources.
14.0
%Organization
and Effectiveness
5.0 %Thesis
Paper lacks
Thesis and/or Thesis and/or Thesis and/or Thesis and/or
Development and any discernible main claim are main claim are main claim are main claim are
Purpose
overall
insufficiently apparent and clear and
comprehensive
purpose or
developed
appropriate to forecast the
; contained
organizing
and/or vague; purpose.
development within the
claim.
purpose is not
of the paper. It thesis is the
clear.
is descriptive essence of the
and reflective paper. Thesis
of the
statement
arguments and makes the
appropriate to purpose of the
the purpose. paper clear.
5.0 %Argument Statement of Sufficient
Argument is Argument
Clear and
Logic and
purpose is not justification of orderly, but
shows logical convincing
Construction
justified by the claims is
may have a
progression. argument
conclusion.
lacking.
few
Techniques of presents a
The conclusion Argument
inconsistencies argumentation persuasive
does not
lacks
. The argument are evident.
claim in a
support the
consistent
presents
There is a
distinctive and
claim made. unity. There minimal
smooth
compelling
Argument is are obvious
justification of progression of manner. All
incoherent and flaws in the
claims.
claims from sources are
uses nonlogic. Some Argument
introduction to authoritative.
credible
sources have logically, but conclusion.
sources.
questionable not
Most sources
credibility.
thoroughly,
are
supports the authoritative.
purpose.
Sources used
are credible.
Introduction
and conclusion
bracket the
thesis.
4.0 %Mechanics Surface errors Frequent and Some
Prose is
Writer is
of Writing
are pervasive repetitive
mechanical
largely free of clearly in
(includes spelling, enough that
mechanical
errors or typos mechanical
command of
punctuation,
they impede errors distract are present, but errors,
standard,
grammar,
communicatio the reader.
are not overly although a few written,
language use)
n of meaning. Inconsistencies distracting to may be
academic
Inappropriate in language
the reader.
present. The English.
word choice or choice
Correct and
writer uses a
sentence
(register) or varied
variety of
construction is word choice sentence
effective
used.
are present.
structure and sentence
Sentence
audiencestructures and
structure is
appropriate
figures of
correct but not language are speech.
varied.
employed.
6.0 %Format
3.0 %Paper
Template is
Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate All format
Format (use of
not used
template is
template is
template is
elements are
appropriate style appropriately, used, but some used.
fully used.
correct.
for the major and or
elements are Formatting is There are
assignment)
documentation missing or
correct,
virtually no
format is
mistaken. A although some errors in
rarely followed lack of control
correctly.
with
formatting is
apparent.
3.0
Sources are
Documentatio
%Documentation not
n of sources is
of Sources
documented. inconsistent
(citations,
and/or
footnotes,
incorrect, as
references,
appropriate to
bibliography, etc.,
assignment
as appropriate to
and style, with
assignment and
numerous
style)
formatting
errors.
100 %Total
Weightage
minor errors
may be
present.
formatting
style.
Sources are
documented,
as appropriate
to assignment
and style,
although some
formatting
errors may be
present.
Sources are
Sources are
documented, completely and
as appropriate correctly
to assignment documented,
and style, and as appropriate
format is
to assignment
mostly correct. and style, and
format is free
of error.
West Coast Transit Case Study
West Coast Transit Company Profile
West Coast Transit began as a small, charter airline in 2005. Its initial vision was providing
affordable, on-the-hour flights from California-based airports to its three adjacent states:
Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon. West Coast Transit recognized that the need for affordable and
convenient flights out of California was high enough to sustain a business. The company began
its success using smaller commuter planes to transport customers to surrounding airports. There
was no flight longer than 2 hours and there was minimal service during the flight. The
company’s mission was customer-focused, to provide an opportunity for companies to fly their
employees at an affordable rate and whole families to travel affordably.
West Coast Transit tripled in size after its first year. Growing demand required the addition of
flights, employees, and larger airplanes. The founders of the company reevaluated the vision and
future of West Coast Transit. The company were determined to maintain an emphasis on
convenient, affordable flights and keep its focus on customer needs. This strategy proved
successful. The company has established itself as a dominant regional competitor. West Coast
Transit has over 10,000 employees and continues to see growth in its future.
Most employees at West Coast Transit rave about the company and appreciate its friendly and
employee-centered culture. The company’s leadership cares about its employees and makes
every effort to provide them with satisfactory benefits. Most employees are enthusiastic about
the impact they make on customers, their salaries and benefits, and the advancement
opportunities the company provides. They feel valued and respected. One major complaint that a
majority of the employees has is the turnaround demand. Employees are given very little time
and support to complete a project. There is just too much work to be done. Most employees are
successful under pressure, but would appreciate an environment that provides adequate time to
complete projects productively.
West Coast Transit Marketing Project
Pete Denson, a manager in the marketing department, has been handed a last-minute project to
lead a team consisting of other managers to develop a campaign. The team must complete the
project swiftly and flawlessly. Failure is not an option. West Coast Transit’s biggest competitor
just released 50 new flight plans at highly competitive fares. This has caused a significant
decrease in sales for West Coast Transit. You and your team have been given the task to develop
a marketing strategy to drive up sales. West Coast Transit was planning a release celebration for
their new Boeing-747 in 6 weeks. The Vice President of Marketing, Bernie Hollis, demanded a
new marketing campaign that will be introduced to the public simultaneously with the new
aircraft. This task will require the team to collaborate effectively in a short timeframe.
You and three other managers must work under demanding conditions. There is a significant
time crunch. Your employees are already overburdened by their daily tasks. Staffing has not kept
pace with the recent growth of the company. Many employees are relatively new and are not yet
© 2016. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
fully trained in all aspects of their jobs. While leadership is empathetic to the demands placed on
employees, the simple fact is that additional staffing is not an option at this time and the work
must get done to support the ongoing success of the company.
This project is critical for the future of the company. The company is at risk of laying off
hundreds of employees. With the release celebration for the new jet only 6 weeks away,
employees need to be prepared to put in significant amounts of unpaid overtime to complete the
project before the deadline. The project budget is adequate, but could fall short considering the
impressive results the company is hoping to achieve. This assignment requires a team that can
work together for the good of the company and produce the needed results.
Denson called a meeting of the managers at 4:30pm on a Tuesday, made up of Lea Jing, Jon
Mahonney, and Katarina Tanney. The first meeting turned out very different from what you
envisaged. Lea Jing was the only participant who had reviewed the agenda, printed it, and came
with some suggestions. Jing has always been conscientious, so it is no surprise that she is
scheduled to be transferred to another department to head up a high profile task within West
Coast Transit in a month. Mahonney and Tanney acknowledged the receipt of the agenda, but
immediately noted that the agenda and proposed plan were “massive and unattainable”
considering the constraints of time and workloads. Tanney commented, “It doesn’t help when
one does not get paid for doing this. How am I supposed to get my team on board?” You try to
refocus the team by referring back to the agenda.
Although Lea Jing had been quiet and observant all the while, she noted that she had
approximately a month left in the department before being relocated to another department. You
reply that “one month is a lot of time to get the project done, considering it is a high priority for
the organization anyway.” Once again, you proceed to refocus the team, but Tanney interjects by
saying it is common knowledge that she has personal family problems, many of which stem from
her spending more time at work rather than at home, and she feels that this new project will place
an undue stress on her already fragile family life. She mentions that she is in counselling and has
to leave right after work every day, so working overtime is out of the picture for her. Frustrated
by all the negativity, Denson retorted abruptly, “We all have problems, we all have complaints.
Let’s just all get it out now! Are there any other complaints?” There was an uneasy silence, Jon
Mahonney finally spoke up: “C’mon guys, we have been selected to work on this project because
the organization feels we are the only ones who can make this happen… Lea, Katarina, you
ladies are the best at what you do….I know that the conditions are not ideal, but we have to pull
together.” At this point, Tanney stands up and heads towards the door while muttering, “It’s 5
p.m., and I have counseling in half an hour.” She stops just shy of the door, turns around, and
says to Denson, “Pete, I take exception to your condescending remarks and addressing my
personal issue as a ‘complaint.’ Until you apologize and promise to treat me with the respect I
deserve, I am not willing to work with you!”
Here is how you can cite the case study:
Oke, M. (n.d.) West Coast Transit Case Study. Grand Canyon University. Retrieved from Course
Materials: https://lc.gcu.edu/learningPlatform/user/users.html
2
Running head:BUSINESS LEADERS
1
Contemporary Business Leaders
Student A. Sample
Grand Canyon University: MGT/420
Working in Teams
2
Your introduction should be typed here. It should be at least four sentences and include a
thesis statement. Please note that you should follow all APA writing rules within your essay.
This means avoid first and second person (with the exception of the personal reflection), do not
use contractions, and use citations throughout your paper! And remember – this is NOT an
opinion paper. Do not write “I think” or “I believe”. Prove your points with research (the text
counts as one of your sources). Please see the rubric at the end of this document. If you want to
earn an A, make sure you meet all of the requirements listed.
Your leader’s name
Address all aspects of question one within this paragraph. Use citations and outside
sources! Identify a leader and justify why you selected that particular leader. What
organization(s) is the leader affiliated with? In what industry is the leader recognized? How long
was the leader in a leadership position? To meet the general requirements of each section, you
must include citations – this is just to get a “C” in each section. Go above and beyond here!
Leadership Theory
Discuss which leadership theory best describes the chosen leader’s approach to leading
people. Define the leadership theory and cite! Make your points with examples about the leader
you picked. You must include citations in each section.
Achievement
What was the leader’s greatest achievement? Use cited information to prove your point.
Working in Teams
3
Challenge
Identify a significant challenge the leader faced and how the challenge was handled. This
should be a business related challenge, not a personal one. Did the response align more with a
managerial role or a leadership role? Define managers and leaders and cite. Use examples to
prove your point.
Power Base
What power base did the leader use in handling or resolving the challenge? Define and
cite the power base, use information from our text and outside resources.
Comparison of Styles
Compare the leadership style used by your selected leader against that of the leader’s
successor/predecessor (or competitor if successor/predecessor is not applicable). Was there a
difference in the leadership style? Which leader do you think is more effective and why? Use
cited material!
Attributes
Identify two to three attributes one would hope to emulate or avoid (based on studying
this leader) in order to be a successful leader. Cite at least one source in this section.
You need to include a conclusion here. It should not introduce any new information; it should
simply be a wrap up of your paper. See below for how to format references. You must have two
academic references. One can be your text, but the other must be a GCU library source. If you
follow this template and the rubric, you will do very well on your paper! ☺
Working in Teams
4
References
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE ONLY

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