Leading Diffuse Teams:

Mastering Time Management Across Diverse Territories

Abstract

Leading teams across dispersed locations poses unique challenges, especially when each site operates under different goals and customer expectations. The Leading Diffuse Teams program equips franchise leaders with practical tools for mastering time management and understanding the nuanced needs of their teams. Over its successful two-year run, this licensed program consistently engaged participants and fostered meaningful dialogue. 

Challenge

Franchise leaders face the demanding task of coordinating efforts across geographically dispersed teams, each with distinct performance targets and operational contexts. Success hinges on the ability to allocate time effectively for strategic oversight, identify location-specific challenges through data analysis, and respond to emerging issues with agility. To maintain alignment and drive collective success, leaders must also cultivate open communication, solicit ongoing feedback, and apply a consistent yet flexible approach to leadership across all sites.

Solution

The Leading Diffuse Teams program, eligible for licensing, employs a dynamic simulation where small teams manage a fictional donut shop chain, Just Frosted, through three decision-making rounds. This experiential learning process is designed to sharpen strategic thinking and enhance time management skills across multiple franchises. Participants start by sifting through data to pinpoint franchise-specific issues, learning to focus on critical information without being overwhelmed. In subsequent rounds, they engage in structured conversations with their teams, strategically planning meetings to include diverse perspectives and adjusting plans based on new insights.

The simulation culminates in leaders developing comprehensive short- and long-term strategies and assessing franchise potential through strategic ranking. Throughout the simulation, teams earn rewards for strategic decision-making that reflects real-world scenarios. This approach ensures leaders not only refine their information-processing skills but also practice real-time adaptation and strategic communication. Facilitators guide participants through these processes, providing practical tips to effectively manage complex challenges in their actual work environments.

Learning Objectives

As a result of the Leading Diffuse Teams program, participants develop skills to:

• Focus on pertinent information for each franchise team.
• Strategically manage time across multiple teams and locations.
• Discern between actual and perceived needs of the franchise teams.
• Develop a short- and long-term plan for each franchise and team. 

Design Highlights

In this simulation, teams earn better information as a reward for making strategic decisions. Teams, faced with real-world scenarios, have the option to review the information they collect, delve deeper into discussions, or move on to another conversation once key topics have been addressed. This setup challenges leaders to assess the importance and implications of what they hear. For instance, they might identify a critical issue that requires further investigation or risk spending too much time in one meeting and missing valuable insights elsewhere. Facilitators provide guidance on how to effectively navigate these situations, offering practical tips for real-world navigation.

Simulation Overview

Small teams work together during the simulation to manage multiple franchises of a donut shop called Just Frosted, progressing through three rounds of decision-making. The members of each team collectively take on the role of a District Manager in the simulation, working together to make strategic decisions and overcome challenges.

Each round presents unique challenges designed to drive key learning points:

• During the first round and before decision-making, teams sift through data looking to identify critical issues facing each franchise and decide on additional information needed for a clearer understanding. The main challenge is to avoid getting overwhelmed by data or distracted by irrelevant details.
• In the second round, teams engage in conversations with their franchise teams. Effective planning is key; meetings must be arranged strategically to incorporate diverse employee perspectives. Leaders also practice flexibility, adjusting plans based on new insights.
• The final round challenges leaders to think broadly, understanding not only immediate circumstances at each franchise but also the wider context and implications. Leaders develop short- and long-term plans for each franchise, evaluating their potential based on a strategic ranking.

During these three rounds of decision-making, participants learn to navigate complex scenarios effectively.

History and Results 

Over the course of its successful two-year run, this licensed program consistently delivered a dynamic and rewarding experience for participants. It sparked thoughtful dialogue, encouraged deep engagement, and prompted meaningful reflection within teams. Participants remained actively involved throughout, citing valuable insights and practical takeaways that enhanced their learning and leadership capabilities.