Leadership Scenario Overview
Stuck at home? Bored? Me too! Let’s start a leadership challenge called WWYD (What Would You Do?).
Read the following leadership scenario and explain how you would address the scenario.
Maybe we’ll all learn something or maybe we’ll just burn a few moments of boredom – either works.
Share your thoughts whether you are an experienced leader, a new leader or an aspiring one. This is open to everyone.
There is not a ‘correct’ answer – just a discussion of approaches.
WWYD Scenario 1: Your new virtual team
You are a mid-level manager in a company, and you just started working from home due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Your HR Manager calls you and says that you have been assigned to lead another team – effective immediately. You are taking over from Selena who has been re-assigned to manage a task force dealing with your company’s COVID 19 response.
The HR Manager hosts a video call with you and the five team members to announce the change. She states that you will be in contact with them and ends the call.
Additional information:
- You have heard about this team over the years. They are known as a high-performing team, but there are also rumors of drama between team members.
- This team focuses on a different area than your current one, but you know the area.
- Due to the new focus, you are now reporting to two leaders – your old boss and Zhang Wei, the boss who oversees this new area.
- You have cell phone numbers, email and video links for everyone in the company.
- This team is new to working from home. Previously they all worked together in the same office with extensive collaboration every day.
- The call with the HR Manager was the first
virtual meeting for the team. You noticed some of the following things:
- Maria’s Internet connection to the meeting kept going in and out and she expressed frustration with technology.
- Frank took the meeting from his ‘man cave’. His camera showed NASCAR posters, beer bottles and a Victoria Secrets calendar.
- Ernesto did not say anything in the meeting. He kept looking away from the camera, rubbing his face and fiddling with his earphones. There was a lot of noise in the background.
- Sarah and Lee both expressed surprise at the leadership change. Lee said he should be team lead.
What do you do next?
Be specific – provide three actions you would take in the next 24 hours. Enter your actions in the comments and let’s discuss!
