Self-Reflection by Iris
Teamwork
Process
The
process of teamwork is smooth for most of time. Firstly all of us are clearly
aware of our own role and goals in a team so that we can make the discussion
and task accomplishment more efficient. So I think self-knowledge is so
important in teamwork. When I realize that our relationship becomes teammate
and not simply likes classmate or friend, I will change my attitude and be more
serious to the things we need to do. It is so lucky that all of us do well in
self-knowledge and only thing we worried is how to have a perfect performance
in this cooperation.
Secondly
we can well understand each other and achieve high efficiency in communication.
Because we have similar background that we come from same place --mainland
china and have same major in bachelor and also postgraduate. Besides that, in
this semester, we have many common courses. Therefore we have so many chances
and methods to communication with each other such as face-to-face, wechat, QQ
or by phone.
More,
we are in closed personality type group that is easier for us to get along with
each other through the Humanmetrics Jung Typology Test. A major factor that plays into how well a
team works together is personality. Different types of people bring different
talents and also bring different problems to the table.
One of the most important skills
necessary for achieving success in one’s career is effectively together with
other people. From personality type standpoint, it the ability to work means
being able to effectively collaborate and communicate with various personality
types. It illustrates communication strategies with various personalities by
grouping the 16 personality types into four groups based on the combination the
second and third letter in the type name (i.e. ST, NT, SF, NF). The second and
third letters in a type name are related to the mental functions of psyche
playing the key role in defining the person’s behavior, in accordance with
Jungian theory of personality types.
From the figure above, we can see that
personality types of Nee, Bell and me respectively are INTJ, ISTJ and INTP. Both Nee’s type (INTJ) and my type (INTP)
belong to the NT group. ENTP and ENTJ types as well belong to the NT group. I
would likely find it easiest to interact with these four personality types
belonging to the NT group because these people perceive the world and evaluate
happenings in a similar way as I do.
The most likely challenging for me to
get along with individuals from the SF group composed of ESFJ, ISFJ, ESFP, and
ISFP types. This is because the people in this group are dominated by mental
functions of consciousness that are totally opposite to my own. These people
perceive the world and evaluate happenings in a starkly different way. Bell’s ISTJ type belongs to ST group so that
we can have better talk than the totally opposite SF group.
Actually
our group prefers to actively make a decision rather than letting thing happen.
Nee tend to preplan things as much as possible and make the best preparation
for unknowns. He just hates to wait for things happened and be hurry-scurry.
Hence he will make the timeline at beginning and arrange the accomplished task
in each stage.
Even
though we get along with each other well, we still be three distinctive individuals
and the diversity of personalities existed in teamwork. According to Clinebell
and Stecher, “diversity enhances performance because the team can exercise a
balance in their approach that greatly improves their success” (Clinebell,
Stecher 362-383). Although this is true, they also mention that diversity leads
to conflict and problems within a group. It is worth to mention that we
maintain a conflict-friendly environment from beginning to end.
I
will show some conflicts in the table below.
|
|
Description
|
Solution
|
|
Blog Style
|
Nee like neat and simple style. Bell and I want something colorful
that may attract others at first sight.
|
We choose one blog style that is not only simple but also give
people a fresh feeling.
|
|
Meeting Time
|
Bell is busy in
applying the summer internship that could not attend our meeting. |
Nee and I
summarize the discussion results after the meeting and sent to Bell. And then
she gives her opinions to us. |
|
Too much ideas
|
Both of us have many ideas for group project.
|
We describe each idea and discuss with morning team. Also we
consider the professor’s suggestions.
|
Improvement in Teamwork
The structure diagram explains what makes an effective team.
We can find many aspects we really do well. For example, we have clear goals
that everyone agrees and understands. We can be encouraged to say what we
think. Team members are willing to listen other’s ideas and can successfully
overcome differences in ideas. However there are still many spaces to improve
in our teamwork. I have find some useful suggestions in the website. It
mentioned that:
1. Read a quality newspaper in the
weeks before the assessment center - sometimes topics for discussion will be
based on recent items in the news.
2. When you read the information
given for a group exercise, underline key points and the likely arguments and
counter arguments. Look for any red herrings (irrelevant or misleading facts).
3. Try to be yourself. Don't try
to put on a façade or mask.
4. Talk to the other candidates
and assessors between exercises to help keep yourself relaxed.
5.
Keep a note of the finish time.
Don't allow the group to over-run. Statements like
6. For some exercises (e.g.
balloon debates) it helps to decide on your criteria on which you will make
your choices and then stick to this. For example if you have to decide who to save
from a sinking ship do you save the youngest, fittest or ones with useful
skills? Spend time in preparation and planning rather than just jumping in -
decide your objectives and priorities, but don't take too long and get bogged
down at this stage.
Improvement in Leadership
Leadership involves:
a)
Being able to motivate &
Direct others
b) Taking responsibility for the
direction & Actions of a team
c)
Setting objectives.
d) Organizing & motivating
others.
e) Taking the initiative
f)
Persevering when things are
not working out.
g) Taking a positive attitude to
frustration/failure.
h)
Accepting responsibility for
mistakes/wrong decisions.
i)
Being flexible: prepared to
adapt goals in the light of changing situations.
For me, it really has a long road to be a good
leader. I think the b), g), h) and i) are difficult for me. But after taking
the exercise of teamwork, I find my weakness and direction to enhance my
ability in leadership.
References
1.
Kickul, J., & Neuman, G. (2000). Emergence leadership
behaviors: The function of personality and cognitive ability in determining
teamwork performance and KSAs. Journal of Business and Psychology, 15, 27-51.
2. Miner, J. B. (2005). Organizational Behavior: Behavior 1: Essential
Theories of Motivation and Leadership. Armonk: M.E. Sharpe.
3. Sheard, A. G., and A. P. Kakabadse (2004). "A Process Perspective on
Leadership and Team Development". The Journal of Management Development
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