Enhancing the Military Profession

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TSgt Sparrow is the leader of a deployment team preparing for a large, joint exercise that involves multiple branches of the military and possibly international partners. The exercise is designed to simulate real-world operations in a high-stress, unpredictable environment, requiring all team members to be versatile and capable of performing a variety of tasks outside their usual specialties. As part of the preparation, TSgt Sparrow’s team has been assigned to learn skills such as assembling tents and off-loading aircraft, tasks that are critical for the exercise but not typically associated with their primary Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) or unit’s mission.

One of TSgt Sparrow’s teammates, SrA Jones, has expressed significant frustration and confusion about these additional duties. He complains that assembling tents and off-loading aircraft are not related to his AFSC, which focuses on technical and specialized tasks within their unit. Jones feels that his time would be better spent honing his specific skills rather than learning tasks he believes are irrelevant to his job and the unit’s mission. His dissatisfaction is beginning to affect his motivation and could potentially influence the attitudes of other team members.

TSgt Sparrow is aware of Jones’ concerns but understands the broader purpose of the exercise. He needs to find a way to convey the importance of these duties to Jones and the rest of the team, ensuring they understand how these skills contribute to the overall mission. TSgt Sparrow must also maintain morale and motivation within the team, while helping them see the value in being adaptable and prepared for any situation they might face during the exercise or in a real deployment scenario.

QUESTIONS:

Describe the two greatest collaborative challenges TSgt Sparrow is facing.
Describe at least one plausible root cause for these challenges. What is one viable strategy that could have helped prevent or mitigate this root cause?
Imagine this was your team. Describe how you might address these challenges using a minimum of two concepts from AIR-111S.
Justify and support your answer using your experience and course material

 

Sample Solution

Two Greatest Collaborative Challenges

  1. Resistance to Change: TSgt Sparrow is facing resistance from SrA Jones and potentially other team members to learning new skills that fall outside their traditional roles. This resistance can hinder teamwork and morale.
  2. Misalignment of Individual and Team Goals: There seems to be a misalignment between SrA Jones’s perceived goals and the broader team goals. Jones’s focus on his specific AFSC may not align with the team’s need for versatility and adaptability.

Root Cause and Prevention Strategy

Root Cause: A lack of understanding about the broader mission and the importance of cross-functional skills.

Prevention Strategy: Clear and Transparent Communication: TSgt Sparrow could have proactively communicated the overall objectives of the exercise, the importance of cross-functional skills, and how these skills directly contribute to mission success. This would have helped to align individuals with the team’s goals and reduce resistance to change.

Addressing the Challenges Using AIR-111S Concepts

  1. Shared Vision and Purpose: TSgt Sparrow could use the concept of a shared vision and purpose to emphasize the importance of everyone contributing to the overall mission. By highlighting how each individual’s skills, regardless of their AFSC, are essential for success, he can foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility.
  2. Empowerment and Delegation: TSgt Sparrow could empower team members by delegating tasks and responsibilities that align with their interests and strengths. This can help to increase motivation and engagement, even if the tasks fall outside their traditional roles. Additionally, empowering team members can foster a sense of ownership and accountability.

Justification and Support:

These strategies align with the principles of effective leadership and teamwork outlined in AIR-111S. By fostering a shared vision, empowering team members, and promoting open communication, TSgt Sparrow can address the challenges of resistance to change and misaligned goals, ultimately leading to a more cohesive and effective team.

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