MGT8074 - Project Team Leadership: Critical Analysis & Strategies

This report provides a critical analysis of project team leadership, focusing on its impact on organizational success, diversity in business culture, and strengthening project teams. It examines the application of leadership theories, particularly within the context of Telstra, a telecommunications company. The analysis covers stakeholder identification and management, human resources and diversity considerations, and the importance of communication and collaboration. The report identifies the need for leaders to positively influence employees, adapt to changing business policies, and effectively utilize technology to enhance team performance and overall business outcomes. It emphasizes the significance of creating a collaborative work environment and addressing diversity issues to foster a productive and successful project team.

Running Head: Project Team Leadership
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
MGT8074 PROJECT TEAM LEADERSHIP
ASSIGNMENT 2
Due date: 26/10/2018

Project Team Leadership
Executive Summary
With the ramified economic changes, the role of the leadership has been gaining
momentum throughout the time. This report focuses on the aspects of the leadership and its
alignment with the organization’s goals and objectives., The leadership plays a pivotal role in the
business success of the organization. The report focuses on leadership impact on organization
success and growth, diversity in the busienss culture and strengthing the project team leadership.
The leadership theory and practice are imperative for the business success and organizational
effectiveness in the long run. The project team leadership is used by the team leaders to influence
the employees to work in a team. Employees are the key pillar of the business and if leaders
could positively influence them they it will result to cost leadership, product differentiation and
other core competency of the business. It will also help company to compete with the rivals in
market. The Telstra Company has been indulged in providing the telecommunication services to
clients around the globe and can easily compete with the rivals only when it develop core
competency in cost leadership and product diffrenciation strategy in market. It could be
developed by chaning its business policies, re-engineering of its value chain activities and
installing new technologies in its business process.
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary.....................................................................................................................................2
1. Introduction........................................................................................................................................4
2. Organisational context........................................................................................................................4
3. Project team leadership.......................................................................................................................5
4. Identifying and analysing project stakeholders...................................................................................7
5. Building and managing relationships with project stakeholders.........................................................9
6. Human resources and diversity.........................................................................................................11
7. Findings & Recommendations..........................................................................................................13
Recommendations.....................................................................................................................................13
References.................................................................................................................................................15
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Project Team Leadership
1. Introduction
This report has been prepared on the leadership intents and theory which could be used
by the leaders to positively influence the employees in their work process system. The main
purpose of this report is to implement the critical analysis on the Project team leadership done
on the leadership theory and collaborative and productive project team environment by analyzing
the positive and negative factors which have directly and indirectly has resulted to changes in the
work process of the employees in the organization. and its alignment with the different
leadership theories. Additionally, this research report is helpfulll to analysis the facts and issues
given in the report prepared on the leadership and its related theories. In addition to this, it also
focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of the leadership which could be used to
implement the further research study on the implementation of the leadership role in
organization. Leaders need to analyze the key factors which may directly and indirectly influence
the employees and their work. Leaders are the backbone of the organization and they take
imperative decisions to positively influence the employees. They also push team development to
create synergy in the business process. This research report covers the qualitative and qualitative
data on the leadership theories and details given on the Telstra Company
2. Organisational context
The leadership theories and other details has been given in the assignment shows the deep
understanding on how leaders should act and how company could grow on the basis of the
leader’s directions. The Telstra Company has been indulged in providing the telecommunication
services to clients around the globe. With the expansion of its business, the complexity to
manage the work functioning is also increasing the throughout the time. It is analyzed that the
project is based on the analyzing leadership theories in context with the business process system
of the Telstra Company (Turner, and Müller, 2015).
Edited
This report reviews the team leadership characteristics in a project of an Australian
Telecommunication company, Telstra Corporation. The Company has been providing the
telecommunication services to clients around the globe, and with the expansion of its business,
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the complexity to manage the work functioning is also increasing the throughout the time. The
project disuccussed here has been taken up by the company in order to develop their existing
telecommunication machineries and apparatus. The company and the marketing team has
proposed the building up of high facility towers in order to introduce new and developed
spectrum in the telecommunication facilities and pave way for the initiation of 5G services in the
telecommunication line. To this end, teams have been formed. This assignment shall mainly deal
with covering aspects of leadership related to these teams. The project teams were structured
with members consisting of 10 highly skilled and knowledgeable individuals. Staff in the
company having a minimum of 2 years’ experience were only be chosen, so that issues and
problems that would be encountered by the right staff. Additionally, imparting them with the
specialised training had helped them in succeeding with their roles.
3. Project team leadership
It is analyzed the various leadership theories such as autocratic, trait and behavioural
theory has been followed by the leaders in order to influence the employee of the company and
align their interest with the organization’s development. The Theory and Practice implemented
by P.G. Northouse is one also one of the adopted theory by the leader of the Telstra which may
face issue in setting collaboration among employees. The teams and managers must also possess
the high interpersonal skills as it highlights the importance of teamwork training to instill a
positive and productive spirit in the team members. With the increasing business complexity and
intensified competition, leadership skills in the project team are very much required for the
business success of the organization. Telstra Company has been operating its business on an
international level and faced various team building issues in its process due to the leadership
issues (Turner, and Müller 2015).
Leaders intents
It is considered that the team development, leadership method has been followed by the
leaders of the Telstra Company to strengthen the business process outcomes. (Østergaard,
Timmermans and Kristinsson, 2011). The leaders should push employees to strengthen the
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business outcomes and increasing the overall outcomes in an effective manner. It will not only
increase the productivity, but also result to increase in the return on capital employed.
Communication perspective
A Communicative Perspective is also one of the major aspect of the leadership. It is helpful for
the leaders to mitigate the problems and issues which may arise in the work process of company.
However, this has shown the way how organization should act and formed if it wants to
effectively grow in market but the view point analysis of the internal factors which might impact
the employees is not given. This would be the biggest failure of the implemented strategies plans
by the leaders. The team building and communication among the employees are the key factor
for the business success of organization and same have been given. This would be the plus point
when the leaders of the Telstra implement their strategies and goals in the best interest of the
organization. Therefore, guidelines put forward in Fairhurst and Counnaghtonwill play would
help in the team building and effective communication among the employees in the project team
development leadership plan. In addition to this, the importance of the team diversity and
interpersonal skills have been analyzed which helps in evaluating the employees work program
and how it has been impacting the business outcomes throughout the time (Prabhakar, 2015). It
is analyzed that a leader of the Telstra needs to focus on the collaborative work approach. It
shows that if the employees are working with the collaborative behavior in the team of the
diversified work culture, then it will not only increase their learning but also strengthen the
business outcomes (Turner, and Müller 2015). Nonetheless, it would be hard for the leaders to
manage the complexity of the team work approach without the use of the advance technologies
and system.
Collaborative leadership work approach
The collaborative leadership work approach is also be positive but without the use of the
advance technologies employees might face issue in communicating with the others. It is
analyzed that leaders of the Telstra need to focus on adapting the employees with the changing
business policies and work functions. Therefore, leaders must analysis the impact of the
technologies on the work functions of the employees how they could positively impact the
employees in the best interest of the organization. Another research review is made on the
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Reinventing Project-Based Learning which has been incorporated in the process system of the
Telstra organization given in the document. It is analyzed that leaders of the company has given
the process system which will help company to offer quality goods and services to clients.
However, if these leaders make the organizational more employee oriented and strengthen
communication system process with the clients is done then it will allow Telstra to deliver more
customized products and services to clients.
The collaborative work behavior
The study on the Creating Effective Collaborative Learning Groups in an Online
Environment by Jane Brindley, Lisa Marie Blaschke and Christine Walti given in the analyzed
report has reflected that online business functioning will be helpful in increasing the business
outcomes and increasing the quality of the products and services. The collaborative work
behavior has been divulged in the report but the same has been analyzed to its certain limit of
organizational behavior. The report should have also divulged the key details on the adaptability
of the employees with the advancement of the technologies. If leaders want to strengthen the
business outcomes then they will first have to mitigate the diversity and adaptability issues of the
employees toward strong business outcomes (Turner, and Müller 2015). It is analyzed that
leaders firstly has to identify the motivational factors and other external factors which may
directly and indirectly influence the business and how well it could strengthen the overall
outcomes throughout the time (Geoghegan, and Dulewicz, 2008). If leaders could make effective
use of the resources then it will not only increase the overall outcomes but also strengthen the
project team leadership in th business which will create value on the undertaken busins process.
4. Identifying and analysing project stakeholders
These research methods have shown employees and managers are the key pillars of the
undertaken project team leadership. The main purpose of the project team leadership is to
strengthen the business outcomes and increasing the overall efficiency of the employee. The
most important factors considered in project development and development of project team
leadership is identifyng relevant stakeholders, leadership skills, interpersonal communication,
encouraging and motivating work environment. Furthermore, other factors need to be considered
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Project Team Leadership
such as:- technologically advanced skills and knowledge required, imparting training and
development to the internal stakeholders, interpersonal relationships with external stakeholders.
Defination of the stakeholders
These project stakeholders could also be the reserchers, employees, directors and
managers of the company who have direct and indirect interest in the business functioning of
organization. The shareholders of the Telsttra Company would alos be indulged in qualitative
and quantitative information on the company to make their investment decisions. These
stakeholders are very much interested in the businss process of the organization Stakeholders are
those persons who have directly and indirectly get influenced by the project.
Methods to identify the stakeholders
In this research. We have used secondary sources such as using the journal articles,
official gazettes, documents and other details which reveal all the qualitative and quantitative
information on the company. The secondary sources of data are useful to analysis the positive
and negative impact of the leadership and how it has influenced the employees. In order to
analysis, stakeholders, we could also use survey and quantitative data to identify the person who
will directly and indirectly influence by the undertaken report. If it is taken in effective manner
then they could also enhance their overall outcomes in effective manner (Yang, Huang, and Wu,
(2011).. It will assist compaby to develop an effective team to navigate to achieve the set goals
and objectives in effective manner. The project stakeholders are those who directly and
indirectly get affected by the project and are involved in the project team. In this research report,
the internal stakeholders are the marketing team, 10 highly skilled staff with 2 years of working
experience and are knowledgeable, the managers, and the project teams.
Role of the stakeholders
Project team leaders
Project team leaders will have to identify the skills required for the project in a team and
then on the basis of the same groups of teams with individuals having most appropriate skill sets
complementing each other will be made.
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Human resources department
All the stakeholders of the project such as employees, shareholders and other who are
directly and indirectly interest in the prepared resreach reprot on the business functioning of
company would be indulged in proper communication program. Communcition in the process is
set by implementing the proper functional program and manging the complex business process.
Therefore, the human resource department must focus on the above factors to ensure successful
initiation and completion of the project.
Outcomes of the research
The study reveals a significant importance of teamwork; Therefore, the leaders must
ensure that the diversified teams work holistically and homogeneously towards achieving the
company goals and objectives. The study, however, revealed the importance of small teams
which are easily controlled and their functioning is managed effectively and efficiently. The
literature review proves a significant relationship between team homogeneity and heterogeneity,
it is found that team must be diverse to pull creative solutions and ideas and are homogeneous to
stay in line with the organizational goals and policies. It will be useful for the readers to
understand the business fucntionign of company and how it is competeing in market. Experts
employee in the proess is also depedent upon the hiring the right staff and providing them with
accurate training are a must for success of any project. The project team leadership and identifn
the right stakeholder of the propject is the one part of the project which is very much require if
leaders wants to accomplish the desired goals. Nonetheless, it would be hard for the leaders to
manage the complexity of the team work approach without identifying the impact of project
leadership on the stakeholders. therefore, they will also have to use the advance technologies and
system to strengthen the identifying the team leadership program.
Recommendation
After analysing all the articles and literature review, it could be inferred that employees
are the main stakeholders of this project and they should be motivated by using the motivational
theories by the leaders. The project team leaders are indulged in pursuring the employees to
accomplish set goals and targets. It is analyzed that the employees in the Telstra are from the
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different culture and work environment who may face issue while working in the team
(Geoghegan, and Dulewicz, 2008). Therefore, all the line managers of the Telstra before building
the team first needs to arrange the proper team building approach which would be used by them
to pursue the main stakeholders i.e. employee for their learning. It will further help them to
strengthen their work for increasing the productivity of organization.
5. Building and managing relationships with project stakeholders
Building and managing relationships with project stakeholders requires leaders to
promote meeting, social functions and holding employee observartion greinvacne programs. It is
crucial to build and manage the relationship amongst the project stakeholders (Bourne, 2016).
Leaders could use social meeting, employee discussion forms to promte and building the relation
with the project stakeholders. In addition to this, monthly team get together will also behelpful in
the team building. The Telstra Corporation has its base in Australia and is working
internationally with various teams, they come across team building and leadership issues to be
dealt with. Due to the fact that the employers are from diverse locations and experiences it
becomes imperative for managers and project team leaders to build productive and positive
relationships (Turner, and Müller, 2015). A communication perspective given by (Pinto, Slevin
and English 2009) reviews the style of leadership which sounds the most appropriate for the
Telstra Corporation.
Why comunication is important
Problems that arise due to the lack of communication and dominating situations can also
be avoided using this theory of leadership. The initiating step to create a positive relation
amongst the stakeholders is to improve communication. This will further improve the
understanding between each team member and project requirements will be further more
transparent. Many times it is observed that the projects are delayed due to the miscommunication
within the project team and managers. According to the report and literature review, reinforcing
a two way communication process will help represent individual weaknesses and strengths.
Another important report presented by Yang, Huang and Wu (2011) for collective leadership
shifts the researchers focus towards the team coaching and training. This book provides a
different perspective to look at tools and techniques for building and managing project team
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relations. The review stresses on project team training. This will help transform the current
process to increase project team productivity and performance. The research shows that
leadership is not about forcing the decisions and having one way communication. To develop
and maintain healthy relationship among team members and project leaders, managers and
stakeholders it is important to focus attention towards more two way communication by sharing
the ideas, strengths and weaknesses. The report should have also focused on the demonstrations
to avoid mishandling the project, honesty and clarity in communication. Another report is given
by Anantatmula (2010) where they elaborate the project based team learning. A relationship
between stakeholders is important at every stage of the project right from when it starts to when
it ends. This review emphasizes on the tools and techniques which are necessary to start a project
(Aga, Noorderhaven, and Vallejo, 2016).
Keeping smaller teams in the process to strengthen the communication
The project leader must identify the skills required for the project in a team and create
small groups of teams with individuals having most appropriate skill sets complementing each
other. Anotehr method for the telecommunication project would be installing 5G towers that has
to be designed by understanding the need of the external stakeholders as well. The review
suggests that this book in particular works best by sharing details of real life projects to be
applied during interpersonal arguments and task installation and completion (Müller and Turner,
2010). It will provide the way interpersonal communication training must be given and how
teams must be trained in order to work in a hassle free environment. It is analyzed the book must
have also provided the innovative and creative solutions to overcome the disputes arising within
the teams. On the contrary, Müller and Turner (2010) argued and explored in the area to make
project teams more interactive by following the various steps towards improving the inter team
communication (Verburg, Bosch-Sijtsema and Vartiainen 2013) suggested that communication is
the key which on performing in a healthy manner can elevate productivity and improve working
environment. An additional technique stated was to create smaller teams in order to have
effective and efficient control and leadership over the team performance and behavior.
Nevertheless, this research also has certain limitations in the area as to how to divide members in
a team efficiently (Fung, 2015).
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6. Human resources and diversity
The human resrueces and diversity in the business activities play pivotal role in the
project leadership team management. Such research projects require skilled manpower
acquainted with the latest technology and focused towards continuous learning and development.
A continuous learning process with conducive work environment is a necessity for the project
team, stakeholders and managers. Therefore, the human resource department must look for
appropriate candidates and appoint those who are technically strong and sound. They must also
be able to train the project teams and impart knowledge and skills to the members through a two
way communication by understanding their strength and weaknesses not by forcing their own
thought process. According to Shen et al (2009) Human diversity is a significant part of every
organization because it helps in improving the business functioning and recruiting the talent as
well. It is analyzed from the literature review that the managers must first set up code of conduct
and organizationl culture to strengthen human diversity in organization (Archer, 2017). Without
having the right people on board the project will struggle with the interpersonal conflicts and
mismanagement from the project initiation and completion due to the lack of communication.
Importance of the human diversity
Diversity is one of the major aspect which could strengthen the overall outcomes and if it is
managed in the business process then it will also help company to develop team building
effectively (Browne, et al. 2016). The workforce diversity and heterogeneity is another
important factor to be considered (Østergaard, Timmermans and Kristinsson 2011) Teams can be
high performing and collaborative only when they are culturally diversified. Each individual of
the team having a diversified skill set will help harmonize the skills of other members as well. In
high technology based telecommunication project there has to be diversified skills and
knowledgeable staff working for the shared goal. Individuals coming from varied and diversified
backgrounds usually work on the concepts of individualism which needs to be taken away
entirely from each member of the team to inculcate teamwork and build collaborative project
team leadership. This will also help keep the work environment peaceful, healthy and conducive
to perform research and successful completion of the project. The leaders working with Telstra
Corporation must own certain qualities that play an important role in the performance and
productivity and overall team development. Looking at the various leadership qualities and styles
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from the literature review it can be inferred that the human resource must focus on leaders who
are able to clearly explore and express ideas to the team members. A lot of leadership style
depends upon how things are communicated within the team (Greene and Kirton, 2015).
Practicle implication of the human diversity in Telstra Corporation
It is evident from the research that the Telstra Corporation also has a strong network of
marketing and sales people, the marketing team and leaders must be hired who are more
engaging and responsive to internal and external stakeholders must possess excellent people and
interpersonal skills. The leaders having these skills will lead a healthier and collaborative internal
and external stakeholder team. The review points out that the Telstra Corporation has a
diversified team, to manage the diversity the human resource department must look for
individuals as leaders who can fit in any corporate culture being a technologically strong
corporation the leaders must also be able to work under high pressure and continuous learning
and building and maintaining good relationships at the workplace (Shin et al, 2012). It is further
observed that by using the effective project team ledership, company could increase the
productivity and it will also result to increase in the return on capital employed. Leaders are the
backbone of the organization and they take imperative decisions to positively influence the
employees. It analyses the cultivation of the leadership in the team development and creation of
the synergy in the business outcomes. This document will help researchers to identify the
essential factors of the leaders which might impact the leadership process and traits while
influencing the employees in the best interest of the employees (Yang, Huang, and Wu, 2011).
7. Findings & Recommendations
Based on the research review and the books referred so far in the review process, the
following are the major findings to describe the requirements of the characteristic of the leaders
and techniques used to construct and maintain relations and diversity within the project team
leadership. The project works towards identifying and managing the good leader. It has been
found that in any project completion the involvement of leader is a pivotal role. The paper
reviews the fact that not only leaders, but hiring the right staff and providing them with accurate
training are a must for success of any project. Further, the Literature review, has given a wide
spectrum to understand the concept and style of leadership from autocratic to behavioral.
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Communicative leadership is also analyzed in the review papers, where it is found that the
peaceful working environment and training have a significant impact on the productivity and
positive interpersonal relationships. Although, the research findings do not make it clear how to
achieve creative ways to settle arguments.
Recommendations
Based on the analysis and interpretation of the secondary data referred through review
papers and books, findings and observations of the paper, the researcher makes the following
recommendations. This recommendations have been givne on the basis of the research articles on
th project team leadership development and its relation wih the effectiveness of the business
process. In addition to this, project team leadership is one of the important aspects which only
provides how company has managed its business and how it could strengthen its business output
effectively. The finding of the compay is to strengthen the team building and increase the overall
outcomes of the process. This will not only increase the overall outcomes but also assist
commmany to implement the project team leadership in effective mananer. This finding has
shown that employees working in the process have different culture and they have to indulged in
the proper collaborative behavior while in their work process. It is analyzed that if company
wants to sustain its business in long run then they will have to first focus on implementing the
project team leadership to strengthen the busines process outcomes. It is further considered that
all the team leaders of the Telstra company should indulgled in developing the corporative
behavior of the empkloyees so that they could analysis whether they could achieve the set targets
while working as team or not.
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References
Aga, D. A., Noorderhaven, N., and Vallejo, B. (2016). Transformational leadership and project
success: The mediating role of team-building. International Journal of Project
Management, 34(5), 806-818.
Anantatmula, V.S., (2010). Project manager leadership role in improving project
performance. Engineering Management Journal, 22(1), pp.13-22.
Archer.T.(2017). I’m a recruiter at Telstra and these are the leadership qualities we look
for[Online]. Available from https://exchange.telstra.com.au/im-a-recruiter-at-telstra-and-these-
are-the-leadership-qualities-we-look-for-telstra-exchange/ [accessed as on 10th October 2018].
Bourne, L., (2016). Stakeholder relationship management: a maturity model for organisational
implementation. Australia : Routledge.
Browne, W., Dreitlein, S., Ha, M., Manzoni, J., and Mere, A. (2016). Two Key Success Factors
for Global Project Team Leadership: Communications and Human Resource
Management. Journal of Information Technology & Economic Development, 7(2).
Fung, H. P. (2015). Moderating Effects of Project Management Experience, Project Team Size,
Project Duration and Project Value Size on the Relationship between Project Manager’s
Leadership Roles and Project Team Effectiveness in Malaysia.
Geoghegan, L., and Dulewicz, V. (2008). Do project managers’ leadership competencies
contribute to project success?. Project Management Journal, 39(4), 58-67.
Greene, A.M. and Kirton, G., (2015). The dynamics of managing diversity: A critical approach.
Routledge.
Müller, R. and Turner, R., (2010). Leadership competency profiles of successful project
managers. International Journal of Project Management, 28(5), pp.437-448.
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Østergaard, C.R., Timmermans, B. and Kristinsson, K., 2011. Does a different view create
something new? The effect of employee diversity on innovation. Research Policy, 40(3), pp.500-
509.
Pinto, J.K., Slevin, D.P. and English, B., (2009). Trust in projects: An empirical assessment of
owner/contractor relationships. International Journal of Project Management, 27(6), pp.638-648.
Prabhakar, G. P. (2015). Switch leadership in projects an empirical study reflecting the
importance of transformational leadership on project success across twenty-eight nations. Project
Management Journal, 36(4), 53-60.
Shen, J., Chanda, A., D'netto, B. and Monga, M., (2009). Managing diversity through human
resource management: An international perspective and conceptual framework. The International
Journal of Human Resource Management, 20(2), pp.235-251.
Shin, S.J., Kim, T.Y., Lee, J.Y. and Bian, L., 2012. Cognitive team diversity and individual team
member creativity: A cross-level interaction. Academy of Management Journal, 55(1), pp.197-
212.
Turner, J. R., and Müller, R. (2015). The project manager's leadership style as a success factor on
projects: A literature review. Project management journal, 36(2), 49-61.
Verburg, R.M., Bosch-Sijtsema, P. and Vartiainen, M., (2013). Getting it done: Critical success
factors for project managers in virtual work settings. International journal of project
management, 31(1), pp.68-79.
Yang, L. R., Huang, C. F., and Wu, K. S. (2011). The association among project manager's
leadership style, teamwork and project success. International journal of project
management, 29(3), 258-267.
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