Exploring Individual Differences in the Workplace

Objective: To understand and appreciate individual differences in the workplace and how they impact communication and teamwork.

Instructions:

1. Working in small groups (3 – 4 students)
2. Discuss the results of your previously completed personality assessments (Big Five Personality Test & Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). How do these relate to your individual differences in group work and in the workplace?
3. Review and analyze the following case study scenario. Propose solutions to the problems presented.

Case Study: Communication Breakdown in the Team

Scenario: You are part of a team working on a project for a major client. The team is composed of five members, each with different personalities and communication styles. One member, let’s call him Alex, is a quiet, reserved person who prefers to work independently. Another member, let’s call her Maria, is an extroverted person who likes to communicate frequently and openly. The other three members fall somewhere in between, with varying levels of assertiveness and communication styles.

As the project progresses, the team faces several communication issues. Alex often works alone and does not keep the rest of the team informed about his progress, which creates confusion and duplication of work. On the other hand, Maria tends to dominate the team meetings, not giving others a chance to express their opinions, which creates frustration and resentment among the team members. The other team members feel caught in the middle, unsure how to communicate effectively with Alex and Maria without causing conflict.

The team is now facing a critical deadline, and the project is at risk of falling behind schedule due to the communication breakdown. The project manager has called for an emergency meeting to address the situation.

Task: As a team member, you are asked to analyze the situation and propose solutions to the communication issues.

Discussion Questions: 

1. What are the individual differences in communication styles that are causing the communication breakdown?
2. How can the team address Alex’s tendency to work alone and not keep the team informed?
3. How can the team address Maria’s tendency to dominate the team meetings and not give others a chance to express their opinions?
4. How can the team balance the different communication styles of its members to improve communication and teamwork?
5. What strategies can the team implement to prevent future communication breakdowns?

Be prepared to share your findings.