Reflective essay on a teamwork task. The main objective of this paper is to conduct the self assessment in order to evaluate the role of the individual within the team in regards to other team members and therefore the effectiveness of the team work.

University Degree Business and Administrative studies

Self -Appraisal

The main objective of this paper is to conduct the self assessment in order to evaluate the role of the individual within the team in regards to other team members and therefore the effectiveness of the team work. Moreover, it is crucial to appraise the correlation between the roles and duties assigned to each member and success. The basis of this reflective essay is the theoretical framework, experiences from the business world, aligned with the personal experience, which would help me to identify and compare the difficulties that have arisen and the correct way of overcoming those.

In order to achieve the aim of this paper, it is essential to determine the essence of the teamwork. Teamwork is an activity performed by several individuals, aimed at achieving one main objective. (Means L.T., 2003, p.91)There are several types of teams, depending on the goal it is managing to attain. In this case the team has been formed by our professor in order to do presentations. Guffey E.M.& Rogin P (2009) identified 4 phases of team evolution: forming, storming, norming and performing.

The first phase of the team evolution, called forming, implies team building by members’ mutual introduction to each other and acknowledgement of the characters and talents involved in the team. The members of the team have been selected from different nationalities and backgrounds by our professor. There are six individuals in our group, one of them comes from Germany and the other one comes from Latvia. The rest of our four come from China. Therefore, at this point it is very significant to maintain good relationships with other team members and start managing the synergy inside the team. According to Lehman C.M.,(2007) it is quite challenging in the first stage of teamwork due to the different characteristics of the team members. Thereby our team formed a restricted regulation for each members, everyone were supposed to observe it and be punctual to participate in every meeting owing to German’s time discipline.

On the personal experience, the appropriate trust building activities, divided leadership and an open communication have helped our team to overcome this challenge and shift to the next phase, called storming. The aim of this phase is to assign the appropriate team roles to the team members, so that each one of them would get the duty he/she can perform most effectively. (Guffey E.M., et al, 2009) Dr. Belbin cited in Biech E.,(2007) identifies nine major team roles that are widely used nowadays in business communication: plant, monitor evaluator, coordinator, team player, resource investigator, specialist, implementer, shaper and finisher. The Belbin’s framework of the team roles is portrayed in Appendix 1. All these roles have been specifically designed in order to be more effectively succeeded in an achievement of the team objective. Thereby, it is very vital to assign these roles in regards to the talents each team member possesses.

Notwithstanding, the challenge that our team faced during this period is the lack of primary talents in order to assign each team role necessary to each member, therefore we have looked out for the secondary talents and characteristics that could be related to the team role that was missing. This process occupied a period of time due to the complex process of defining the roles’ mismatch, followed by the negotiations in regards to the effective roles’ re-allocation.

The role that has been appointed to me from the beginning, has been the completer - finisher which implies examining the work for errors and “polishing” it, so it would be delivered in the high quality. The main strengths of the finisher is an attention to detail and punctuality, since the last stage of the project and delivery on time depends on him/her.(Belbin 1993 cited in Bee R.,Bee F., 1997). Lehman C.M., (2007) also defines the communication as the most important aspect of the team, however due to the personal characteristics of the individuals, the flow of communication can be suspended, which my team has experienced during the storming stage. Nevertheless, we have recovered the flow of communication gradually owing to the encouragement and the starting open lines.

This is a preview of the whole essay

After the team roles’ and communication problem has been resolved, the next phase of the team growth, called norming, slowly emerges. (Guffey E.M., Rogin P., 2010) This phase is the result of successfully passed previous stages of team evolution, which includes quick and smooth flow of communication between the team members. This communication is based on the open sharing of the knowledge, approval of opinions and compromise. During this stage the tasks are being most effectively achieved. (Hellriegel D.,Slocum W.J.,2007) . Levin G., (2010) argues that at this stage it is very easy to regress back to the storming phase if some of the points has not been considered. It is the first task of the leader during this time to keep the team members highly driven in order to aim for the success of the project. Shermerhorn R.J., (2009) adds that the main objective of the team during this period is to shift away from the possibility of break-up, by maintaining the team spirit and motivating the team members to concentrate on the strategic aims of the project. This is the stage where the team leader shows his strength in the possibility of managing the inspiring and confident communication in the combination with the leadership skills. Guffey E.M. & Rodin P., (2010) state that it is very rare when the team achieves the last stage of the team growth - performing stage, however our team has reached this stage.

There is a number of challenges that does not allow the team to achieve the target, however, our team has overcome these challenges at the start of their appearances. As it was stated above, one of the challenges in our group has been the confusion of the goals at the end of the storming age. Nevertheless, the appointed leader has explained the aims and the purpose of the project and made sure that all the members have understood it. In addition, the description of the resolved roles problem has been described above.

Poor feedback from our professor has been another challenge for our team for a period of time. However this problem hasn’t been identified for a while. But in the end, it was resolved by the positive attempts of open and easy flow of communication between the team members, so that each one of them got the knowledge he/she required. It is obvious that during the teamwork, some conflicts may arise and it is considered as another challenge that group might face and needs to resolve. Our team has not been exclusion. I insisted on putting a video on my part of presentation in 30th of November , which I thought it would be more persuasive and vivid when talking about UK retail industry. However, the other team members disagreed with me and asserted that the video should be cancelled. One of the solutions maintained within the group has been to look for the compromises on the basis of fair decision, after listening to everyone carefully and analysing each one’s point of view meticulously. (Guffey E.M. & Rodin P., 2010). Eventually, they reconciled with me after a long period of running- in.

Schermerhorn R.J.,Jr (2009) identifies one more phase of team evolution - adjourning stage, which implies the last phase of the project and the break-up of the group. The main goal of this stage is to feel the satisfaction from the thought of successful accomplishment of all the tasks. The success of this stage is well defined by the increased emotional feelings involved while leaving the group. This implies the prosperous shifts in between the previous stages. (Lussier N.R., 2009 ) This has not been well described by the other researchers due to the complexity of reaching this phase. Therefore not so many teams were successful in achieving this target.

On balance, the success of the team depends on many factors, including correct team roles assignment, smooth shift from one stage of the team evolution to another and opens communication. Nevertheless, even with a successful application of these factors, the challenges and conflicts may still arise, since they are as well part of the team development. Therefore it is crucial for me and the team members to overcome those obstacles, while concentrating on the strategic aims of the team in order to achieve the principal target.

Words：1405 words

References

Bee R., BeeF., (1997) Project Management: the People Challenge, p. 21, Cromwell Press, Wiltshire, UK

Biech E., (2008), The Pfeiffer Book of Successful Team- Building Tools: Best of the Annuals, p. 91, John Wiley & Sons, San Francisco, USA

Guffey E.M., Rogin P., (2010), Business Communication: Process & Product, p. 29, Nelson Education, Toronto, Canada

Hellriegel D., Slocum W.J., (2007), Organizational Behaviour, p.271, Thomson South-Western, USA

Lehman M.C., (2008), Business Communication, 15th ed., p. 35, Thomson Southern Western, USA

Levin G., (2010), Interpersonal Skills for Portfolio, Program and Project Managers, p. 9, Management Concepts, VA, USA

Lussier N.R., (2008), Management Fundamentals:Concepts, Applications, Skill Development, 4th ed., p 428, Cengage Learning, South Western, USA

Means L.T., (2010), Business Communication, p. 92, Cengage Learning, USA

Schermerhorn R.J., Jr (2009), Management, John Wiley & Sons, USA

Bibliography

Bee R., BeeF., (1997) Project Management: the People Challenge, Cromwell Press, Wiltshire, UK

Biech E., (2008), The Pfeiffer Book of Successful Team- Building Tools: Best of the Annuals, John Wiley & Sons, San Francisco, USA

Guffey E.M., Rogin P., (2010), Business Communication: Process & Product, Nelson Education, Toronto, Canada

Hartley P.,Bruckman G.C.,(2002), Business Communication, Routledge, New York, USA

Hellriegel D., Slocum W.J., (2007), Organizational Behaviour, Thomson South-Western, USA

Lehman M.C., (2008), Business Communication, 15th ed., Thomson Southern Western, USA

Levin G., (2010), Interpersonal Skills for Portfolio, Program and Project Managers, Management Concepts, VA, USA

Lussier N.R., (2008), Management Fundamentals:Concepts, Applications, Skill Development, 4th ed., Cengage Learning, South Western, USA

Means L.T., (2010), Business Communication, Cengage Learning, USA

Rosenhauer S.,(2009), Teams and Teamwork as the Basis of Effectiveness, Auflage, Germany

Schermerhorn R.J., Jr (2009), Management, John Wiley & Sons, USA

Taylor S.,(2005), Communication for Business:a practical approach, 4th ed.,Pearson Education, Essex, UK

Appendix 1

Appendix 3

Presentation Summary (after amendment)

Reflecting on the presentation a few days ago, I felt muddled when stood in front of my classmates. Perhaps it was me who affected the results of the entire group. As the teacher talked about in the class, the structure of our group presentation was problematic. In addition, we did not have references at the conclusion of our group presentation. Svetlana was responsible for the beginning and end of the presentation. Alex was the only student to receive the praise in our group. He revealed a bar chart on the slide and did not give two much specific information on the slide. Then, he explained the statistics data as much as possible. Frankly speaking, the rest of our four Chinese students did not perform well owing to the nonproficiency of the English and the other factors.

I summarized some solutions to enhance my presentation as follows:

☞ Breathe deeply before doing presentations, which can relieve my sense of apprehension.

☞ I need to continue learning knowledge, 24 hours a day,8 hours of survival(to work or to study),8 hours of rest (recharge my batteries),and the remaining 8 hours is the desire for development (self-improvement). I will take advantage of the limited 8 hours to expand English.

☞ Communicate with foreigners frequently, which can enhance my capability to communicate and express.

☞ Keep a good habit of reading newspapers (eg: Daily Mail) everyday, watching English native movies once a week and exposed to different cultures nutrients.

From where I stand, good group presentations result from taking and sharing responsibility, and from finding strategies to manage group disagreement and solve problems with any participants. Effective communication comes from making the best use of individual’s abilities, but also by allowing each member the chance to develop their weaker skills. And just like an individual presentation, if you have not prepared and agreed about what you are going to say in advance, then everything almost certain to unravel once you all get to your feet!

On balance, performing in front of a group of other students, and my teacher Delia is an inextricable part of the student experience here at university of Central Lancashire. The first step for me is just to survive and be able to stand up in front of the class! Think realistically about what I could have done differently and how to improve things next time!!!

Appendix 4

Learning Log

1.First Presentation: Mock presentation

Date: 21/09/2010 Tuesday Morning Place: Livesey House 301

Description of the presentation: the American project leader arrives at 10.55 to find two project members chatting outside the room. One disappears without explanation, the American and the British financial expert look at the agenda and add two new items, but nobody else appear until 11.15.when a Norwegian construction engineer comes in, only to say he has to leave soon as one of his children has a doctor's appointment. The American rings the two other members of the team, who say they are on their way. When they arrive, they don’t have their agenda, but are fully briefed. Informal discussions begin, which the American interrupts, explaining they have a lot in a short time. the first item on the agenda is the date of arrival on a major piece of equipment-on earth -moving machine-from the us ,the news is that there has been a further delay, secondly, the client has changed some of the requirements: the complex must be ready one week earlier than agreed in the contract. The British member's mobile phone rings, and she starts a conversation about the budget in the corner of the room.

Task of presentation: Suggest what actions could be taken by the project manager to improve the quality and the usefulness of this kind of meeting.

Feelings of the Presentation☺: This was the first time for me to work in a multicultural team. Our team consists of six members, one of them comes from Germany, the other one comes from Latvia and the rest of our four come from China. We shared our opinions and solutions when we discussed together. Everyone wrote down the notes from each other. , there was a slight quiver in my voice when I confronted with my classmates. Although this was a mock presentation, which took a toll on me. I came to realize that I still have many aspects to improve.

2.Second Presentation : Team Social Event

Date: 14/ 10/2010 Thursday Afternoon Place: Avenham Park

Description of the Presentation: As a team choose one of the following tourist attractions in Preston ( and surrounding area) and organize a visit to the place with your team.

Feelings of the Presentation☺: This was really a good opportunity to get to know each other since it was the first activity after assigned team. We gathered in the gate of Fylde building to go to Avenham Park. On our way to the Park, the sky cleared up and birds circled overhead. I was astonished by the park virescence when we arrived there. Besides, we played the swing and see-saw as if we went back to our childhood. Each one of us in our team was delightful on that day. Eventually, we took many photos and we put it on the Power points when we doing our presentation. I considered it as a warming-up presentation and I perceived that each one in the team is indispensable in the procedure of presentation.

3 Third Presentation☺: an analysis of threats and opportunities that Preston may face.

Date: 02/11/2010 Tuesday Morning Place: Livesey House 301

Description of the Presentation: Each of team should research the following areas including the main industries of the area, how these industries have changed over the years, up-to-data statistics for unemployment rate, GDP, etc ,Events which are taking place in the near future which could offer opportunities for local businesses, the supply of educated and trained staff in the area, how government cuts may affect local businesses.

Feelings of the Presentation: Brutally honested, we did not perform well indeed. Our structure didn’t organised well compared with other teams, especially we didn’t have references at the end of the slides. My part in this presentation was the spending review. I did many research and watched the speech delivered by George Osborne on the internet. I was not supposed to recite before the presentation, which gave rise to many times of pauses and hesitations. Then the class was full of awkward silence. How embarrassed I was! I lost in thought after I got the feedback from my tutor. The real exam---presentation was around the corner. I should take some measures to supplement my deficiencies. Therefore, everyday I tried my utmost to talk natural when I stood in front of mirror. What is more, I read through some figures in pie charts, bar charts, tables, line graphs in the Financial Times newspaper for the sake of accurate expression in the presentation.

4. Fourth Presentation: UK retail industry

Date: 30/11/2010 Tuesday Morning Place: Livesey House 301

Description of the Presentation: Our team chose the UK retail industry and include: market size ,value to the UK economy, the market leaders, recession affected sales in UK&Preston and government actions ,etc.

Feelings of the Presentation☺☺☺: Our team marks was higher than 60. We hold the meeting to discuss the presentation in the library no less than five times. As for me, God never disappoints the studious. I utilized sentence pattern transformation when spoke of figures in the graph , which received the praise by our professor. Notwithstanding, I was deeply absorb in the figures in the screen so that I neglected a contacted eye with the audience.

This was a taboo in the presentation. I will look at the viewers directly next time. Through the four presentations took place in Semester 1, I really acquire a lot and I found myself made progress every time. In a word, only if I conquer the presentation can I benefit for my future career development.

EB 3006 International Business Communication

Course leader: Delia Jackson

Reflective Essay by Shiming Ou-yang