When reading about the difference of a group and a team in this weeks lesson it made me think of my version of the differences between a group and a team during my hospitality stint as an Operations Supervisor and the example of what a team would be in a catering setting.
While working in this particular hotel we had a small restaurant with a bar that I was in charge of staffing and running along with the front desk. In some situations, we had catering that was scheduled for a group that was staying in the hotel. To start my observations, I would like to state my definition of the differences between a group and a team in a hotel setting. How I see it is a group of people start a shift, but everyone on that shift was needed to keep the shift running smoothly. How this is accomplished is by becoming a team with this group of people. The goal throughout the shift is to keep guests happy and accommodate them however we can. In becoming a team, the group of people on the shift work together through communication to keep the guests accommodated, solve issues, and to help each other in any way they can to reach this common goal.
In this lesson group stages were discussed and in the situation of catering, I can say that all of these stages were hit on target. The first stage is forming, this is when information about teammates, in this case, coworkers, is gathered (“Penn State Canvas Login”, 2019). Forming in this setting is simple, who is working today? Someone who has done catering before? Can they handle the restaurant on their own while others and myself handle catering and the front desk? etc… The second stage is storming, this is when coworkers decide how the task will be accomplished (“Penn State Canvas Login”, 2019). For example, I know that this is Sara’s first time on a shift with catering, I do not have time to train her so she will manage the restaurant since this is not her first day there and will have that covered. This ensures, I, as the supervisor can make sure catering is up to the highest standards. Meanwhile, Greg has worked with me on catering before so he already knows what tasks need to be done and how much time we will need to start and finish. The third stage is norming, this is when we yell “break” and get to our battle stations and get to work (“Penn State Canvas Login”, 2019). This can mean that I need to delegate tasks as the supervisor to keep the work flowing. If I need to run to the front desk and help, Greg can cover catering duties for a few minutes while Sara continues to manage the restaurant. The final stage is performing, this is when the completion of the task is happening (“Penn State Canvas Login”, 2019). Time is up for prepping and it is time to serve our guests and match all of their standards in the process.
The outcomes of team leadership that I have witnessed and needed to complete this task in a hotel setting are competent team members, a collaborative climate, and a principled leader. Competent team members in order to ensure there will be fewer mishaps during the four stages mentioned to complete this task (“Penn State Canvas Login”, 2019). A collaborative environment to promote trust in our co-workers and the solid fact that we should rely on one another if needed (“Penn State Canvas Login”, 2019). Finally, the principled leader in this situation, me, coaching and delegating tasks to accomplish our goal of a memorable, delicious catering event (“Penn State Canvas Login”, 2019).
References:
Penn State Canvas Login. (2019). Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1975088/modules/items/25786874
Penn State Canvas Login. (2019). Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1975088/modules/items/25786871
ama6306 says
aul280,
Thank you for sharing this example of how a group of people can work as a team. As we learned in the lesson, the largest difference between a team and group is that the members cannot function without interaction and teams are more interdependent than groups (PSU WC, 2019, L 9). Your example at the hotel provides a great understanding of these concepts because you focused on the members of your team that worked in whichever area they would be most useful, whether it was catering, the front desk, or the restaurant. I have experienced similar situations many times. Whenever you are in a position of power, such as being a supervisor, you have to rely on your team members and be aware of what their strong suits are in order to keep everyone on track and in the most efficient areas for each individual. You also pointed out that the main objective for your team was to provide the best hospitality and you wouldn’t have been able to do so if you had not delegated tasks the way you did and made things run smoothly. You clearly exhibited being a part of the norming stage, that is, “the emergence of a leader and development of group norms. This is when the group begins to work together toward the project goal” (PSU WC, 2019, L 9). It was obvious that by working together you guys were able to reach your goal of providing great service with catering all the while running the rest of the business in the hotel.
You have shared a great experience and great example for the concepts of team leadership.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus (2019). PSYCH 485 Lesson 9: Leadership in Work. Retrieved from: https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1972967/modules/items/25704945