Nadia is a team leader in the editorial department at New Day Media, which owns and publishes a variety of high-circulation magazines covering everything from fashion to current events. One of Nadia's team members, Summer, has just discovered that the main source the author used for the lead article in one of their magazines represents a potential conflict of interest, and she is not sure whether they can run the article as it is. Nadia does not know either, so she decides to seek outside help from someone in another department. Which of the following people should she go to with her questions?

Question

A) Abdul, an advisor in the legal department, who frequently acts as a consultant for teams in other departments
B) Kara, who is well-versed in assessing the methods and practices of the different teams at New Day
C) Terrell, who manages the flow of materials between the editorial team and other departments
D) Leon, who is part of a centralized unit that assists different departmental teams in accomplishing their goals
E) Jaci, who acts an intermediary in managing any conflicts that arise between people within the organization

Answer 1

A) Abdul, an advisor in the legal department, who frequently acts as a consultant for teams in other departments
Explanation: Different teams, like different individuals, have roles to perform. As teams carry out their roles, several distinct patterns of working relationships develop. Advisory relationships exist when teams with problems call on centralized sources of expert knowledge. For example, staff members in the human resources or legal department advise work teams when needed. In this case, Nadia needs an advisor with expert knowledge of the legal ramifications, so she should consult Abdul.