COURSE NUMBER: MBA257.2A

COURSE TITLE: Leading Groups and Teams

UNITS OF CREDIT: 2 Units

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Brandi Pearce

E-MAIL ADDRESS: Brandi Pearce bpearce@haas.berkeley.edu

MEETING DATES: Meets in Spring A, 1/17-3/5

PREREQUISITES: None

CLASS FORMAT:
Through exercises, cases, guest speakers, group reflections, and short lectures, we will work together to build a team toolkit that explores the structures, team dynamics, interpersonal skills, and self-awareness needed to support and leverage global and dynamic interdisciplinary teams in working together effectively

REQUIRED READINGS: This course will rely on readings and other materials available on study.net as well as free podcasts and videos to support multi-sensory learning

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE: This a comprehensive course focused on developing a team toolkit that includes the knowledge, skills, and self-awareness to effectively lead complex global teams. Grades will be based on individual and team assignments as well as class engagement and citizenship.

CAREER FIELD: All

ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:
Have you ever been on a team and thought to yourself, there has to be a better way? The nature of teamwork is changing dramatically. Globalization, rapid technological change, and the transition from a material- to an innovation-based economy have resulted in more dynamic, distributed, cross-functional, demographically and culturally diverse teams. This complexity creates the potential for increased creativity and innovation, but also increased potential for stereotyping, conflict, and coordination difficulties if not actively managed. Often, we perceive these difficult team dynamics as a byproduct of challenging personalities or institutional structures or policies outside of our control. The astute leader, however, recognizes that supporting teams in working together effectively, like any other leadership skill, is a capability that can be developed and honed.
The goal of this course is to build, expand, and deepen what you have been previously exposed to through the Teams@Haas curriculum. After taking this course, you will have a team toolkit to: (1) diagnose critical team dynamics and develop strategies to "coach" teams in working through potential challenges throughout the team life-cycle , (2) effectively facilitate team meetings and discussions towards productive solutions and agreements, (3) recognize, understand, and manage the complexities of team faultlines and different types of team conflict, (4) explore the different forms of diversity that exist in a global team context and develop a deeper understanding of the implications that misattributions, bias, and stereotypes can have on both individuals and teams, and finally (5) build awareness of the capabilities and mindset needed to cultivate a positive and psychologically safe team climate critical for creativity, innovation, and productivity. The leadership skills you will develop in this course will be invaluable to you throughout your career as teams are a primary source of competitive advantage for most organizations and yet there are far too few leaders who possess the knowledge, tools, and self-awareness to effectively lead teams towards this end.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
Brandi Pearce, PhD, is a lecturer and the Faculty Director of Teams@Haas. Prior to earning her doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University, she worked in the Silicon Valley leading alliance teams for Oracle Corporation, one of the world's most innovative global organizations in the management of strategic alliances. Brandi deeply values the intersection between evidence-based research and organizational practice which is at the core of the experiential Teams@Haas curriculum, she designed and spearheads, and is what she enjoys most about teaching in the classroom. This set of principals spills over into Pearce's research in which she explores collaborative dynamics in global Fortune 500 organizations in Asia, Europe, and North America striving to work directly with teams, individual contributors, and executive leaders to develop a deeper understanding of what drives creativity, employee engagement, and innovation in teams. It is her hope that students will leave Haas feeling inspired and confident about their potential to lead teams and create value for their future organizations. Colleagues and students describe Brandi as “collaborative and approachable” as well as “curious and passionate.” She aims to be a student always and admires those who can lead with and through others. Pearce can be reached at bpearce@haas.berkeley.edu.