Team Simulation
For the benefit of explaining personal decisions made while participating in a simulation, the author has chosen to write some portions of this paper in first person. The simulation provided participants an opportunity to apply tools and information to a simulated environment. In the simulated environment the goals for participant were to “identify team member roles and responsibilities, identify the qualities of an effective group leader, and explain methods of managing difficult group members” (University of Phoenix, 2010, p.1). The simulation involved assembling a team, managing team conflict, decision-making, and evaluating decisions. The purpose of the team in the simulation was “to discover the drug trafficking organizations responsible for the flow of drugs across the US Mexico border” (University of Phoenix, 2010, p. 2).
Identify Team Member Roles and Responsibilities
In the first part of the simulation participants, whose role in the simulation was Special Agent in Charge, were required to create a task force. The participant was presented with profiles of the candidates. The four positions, which the special agent needed to assign, were Lead Agent, Assistant Lead Agent, Intelligence Agent, and Field Specialist. As a participant I selected Sam to fill the position of Lead Agent. Sam was selected because his twelve year career experience with a concentration in drug regulation, ability to speak Spanish and strong work ethic. For the position of Assistant Lead Agent I selected Ricardo. Ricardo has sixteen years work experience, speaks Spanish, and is a team player with a hard work ethic. For the position of Intelligence Agent I selected Emily. Emily did not have a long work history with the agency however she is fluent in Spanish, had an extensive psychology background, is energetic, and has assisted co-workers on cases. Because