Leadership- Theory, Application, & Skill Development, Lussier/Achua, 3rd Ed - Essay Example

The benefits and challenges of working as a team member in FedEx: FedEx has for long emphasized on the quality of team leadership. The benefits of working as a team member in FedEx is both learning and rewarding experience. An individual in a team is heard and recognized and his ideas tried and tested for success. A team member in FedEx is respected and regarded as a reason for the successful functioning of the team and as an active participant in achieving the overall goals of the company. Most importantly, that FedEx stands for “The overnight delivery company” The aspect of self esteem and job satisfaction is highly regarded and this enables the individual in the organization to initiate and work for the success of the team and the company in total.

The challenges of working in FedEx as a team member include the constant motivation to accept change and work closely with associates and partners which involves the need for strong interpersonal ties and a high level of professionalism, and the temperament to discount the follies and ignorance or lack of professionalism of fellow team members. The challenge to be constantly innovative with enthusiasm and the courage to experiment and work on new ideas and change of routines, are part and parcel of working for FedEx as a team member.

Speech of the Senior Vice- President – FedEx Operations: I welcome you all for this awards ceremony, an event that honors the spirit of team leadership. It is my privilege to address this gathering on how and why this award of the Circle of excellence is deserved by the winning station. Fed Ex stands for its excellence in service delivery and delivery overnight and the organization is built on the principles of openness, flexibility and team – based leadership. The centre that was facing critical problems at the time of loading which led to a huge loss was successfully able to fix loopholes and turnaround in productivity and profitability.

This was not achieved through or by the station master through the top- down approach or the so- called ‘I order and you do’ but rather by the bottom –up approach. The team worked together in identifying and implementing solutions, trying and testing them under the leadership of the station master. This group that practiced team leadership has in every sense worked and led as a team to accomplish the task. The team- leader who has understood his role as team centered approach and not a leader centered approach has given him and this team the Circle of Excellence award this month.

Moreover, the belief of Mr. Smith that rigid hierarchy in terms of command and control would only magnify problems was proved right by the approach followed by this team. The openness, flexibility and the willingness of the team to accept change, has helped them see the fruits of success in a manner so magnificent and truly attractive that the practice is now followed across territories.It is only in participation, experimentation and the sharing of ideas and experiences that growth and productivity is fostered.

It is proven that the empowerment of the team giving them the authority and responsibility to make changes needed, and improve productivity will only land the organization on higher grounds of profitability and overall customer satisfaction.References:Achua. Lussier ‘Case study – The Federal Express’ ‘Leadership Theory Application and Development’ 3rd Edition.Rd Editio