In your business culture, name three qualities a team-lead must have.
“Effective leadership means . . . .”
You and your other German colleagues have a new boss, Susan Steel. Some of you know of Susan, a few have met her at company conferences, but none have worked directly with or for her. Next week Susan arrives in Germany as a long-term delegate and to begin her work.
Because she wants to quickly get oriented, Susan has invited each of her German direct reports for a one-to-one talk. She would like to understand the expectations of her as the team lead, but also communicate her views about the optimal working relationship between team lead and team.
You’re in your home culture. In a similar situation. You want to help Susan to understand what makes for an optimal working relationship between a team lead and team. Describe that relationship.
Strategy
In your culture, what would be a typical example of a strategy (in politics, sports, personal life)? Explain it to your colleagues.
Tactics
Now take that strategy and describe what the tactics look like. Where is the line between strategy and tactics?
Strategy Formulation
Stay with that example. Who would typically be involved in the formulation of that strategy? Who, so to speak, is in the inner circle?
Strategy Modification
And when and how is that strategy modified? What if folks at the tactical level see the clear need to modify it. Do they modify it? And if so, how does that happen?
Lines of Communication
Again, staying with the example, what do lines of communication look like between the strategy and tactical levels? How do they communicate? How often? About what?
