Overview
Instructions
The purpose of this case study assignment is to challenge students to analyze a leadership scenario involving team dynamics, inclusion, and conflicting perspectives. Through critical thinking and application of inclusive leadership strategies, students will develop skills for navigating complex group situations with empathy and effectiveness. BACKGROUND: o You are part of a university innovation program where interdisciplinary student teams are tasked with creating digital solutions for real-world social issues. Your team—made up of five members from various cultural, academic, and personal backgrounds—has been assigned the topic of _"Improving Mental Health Access for College Students."_ o At the beginning, team interactions seem smooth. But as you begin the design process, tension emerges: o AMIR, a psychology major, suggests focusing the solution on first-generation college students, based on his personal experience and the community he mentors. o JORDAN, a computer science major, is focused on technical feasibility and feels Amir is being too “emotional” and “subjective.” o AISHA, who identifies as neurodivergent, feels unheard when her ideas are interrupted during meetings. o CLAIRE, who identifies as biracial, finds herself frequently “code-switching” to maintain group harmony and avoid being labeled as "too opinionated." o YOU, the designated team lead, are starting to notice these subtle breakdowns but aren’t sure how to address them. o At your last meeting, Amir visibly shut down after Jordan dismissed his idea, saying, “We should stay focused on the data.” The conversation paused awkwardly. Claire sent you a message afterward saying she feels frustrated but doesn’t want to cause drama. Aisha wrote in the team’s shared document that it’s hard to contribute when people talk over her. And now, you’re preparing for a critical check-in with your professor, where you'll need to report not just on your product, but also on how your team is functioning. WRITING PROMPTS: * PERSPECTIVE & TRUTH: * How might the readings on perception and truth help you understand the conflicting viewpoints within this team? * In what ways could team members be operating from limited perspectives or assumptions about what counts as valid knowledge? * DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: * Identify examples from the case that reflect challenges related to diversity and inclusion. Where do you see issues of belongingness or uniqueness being ignored or devalued? * How might the team shift toward a more inclusive environment where all voices are valued? * PERSONAL REFLECTION: * If you were the team lead, what actions would you take to address the group tension in a way that values both belonging and uniqueness? * Reflect on a time when you felt like an insider or outsider in a group. How did it affect your willingness to contribute? * What biases or assumptions might _you_ bring to a diverse group, and how can you work on noticing and managing them? * MOVING TOWARD COMMON REALITY: * What might it look like for this team to find “common reality” despite their different backgrounds and views? * How could the team balance the need for shared goals with honoring diverse perspectives? (LO1)(LO3) Notes:
- Submit a 1.5–2 page paper formatted according to APA 7th edition guidelines.
- Please refer to the Written Assignment Rubric on the Course Information (Start Here) tab for grading expectations.
- Support your analysis with course materials and at least one additional credible outside source, and include appropriate APA citations and references.
- All submissions will be reviewed by Turnitin to check for similarity to other sources. Please refer to the course syllabus for more information.
- Please follow the AI guidelines outlined in the course syllabus. Any use of AI should support your planning and editing but should not replace your own analysis or recommendations. 1.5–2 page paper