ideas for management issues/arguing a case (particularly in IT)

[Wallywobbles]

Hi and please can you help me.

I have to teach a 7-hour language lesson to a small group of Masters students tomorrow. I've had practically no notice, and I've seen them once before. The level is pretty good as they are computer science bods. It's entirely online, as I have COVID. So please can I pick your brains for further ideas for 2 talking activities.

I want one of them to look at management issues. So awkward situations that you have to deal with when you are managing a team. We are already doing some work on giving feedback, so I thought this might be a good follow on. If anyone has experience in the IT sector are there unique/frequent issues there?

I'm thinking issues like:
a team member not pulling their weight,
someone who doesn't smell too fragrant (although this might not be the best subject),
micromanagers,
bullying,
teammates constantly canceling on you,
your work being blocked by others
etc... any ideas??

Then the second topic is not of my choosing - it's arguing a case, so I'm thinking of things like the following (but currently this is my only idea):
The company has decided that everyone has to go back to the office, remote working is off the cards. You think that many of your best workers will leave if the company is not more flexible on this issue. Build up your arguments for why the company is right and why the company is wrong. Make sure you can argue both sides convincingly.

Anyone got any more ideas? Sorry, covid has really made me a being of very limited mental resources. Thank you

I know in the past someone has recommended me a management website, but unfortunately, I didn't take note. I will do better if anyone knows which it might have been.

Could you ask them to suggest a management issue they are facing?
Is this about being line managers or project managers? Maybe something about managing team dynamics / what do you do when A and B can’t get along? How do you manage a pause in the project / build morale when there is a lack of direction (common in some IT projects I’ve been involved with)

Anything around inclusivity and equalities - dealing with / responding to behaviours that don’t fit with obligations under the equalities act.

Thank you. Hadn't considered the equalities issues.

They are doing Masters in IT Management but don't seem to have done any management training at all. It's kind of odd.

I asked what project management they'd looked into at school and the answer was none. Not even agile.

Anyway. They are having various issues at work so maybe we can do something there too.