Team Dynamics

Being Apart of the TEAM

Writing Team Goals, Logos, and Operating Principles and Effective Teamwork video (1)

Recap:

* During this exercise each group had to put together a list of operating Principles, team goals and create a logo that represents the team.

Our TEAM:

The TEAM I was involved in consisted of Lisa, Michele, Jennifer, Katrese, A.Chapman, and I. My team decided to work on the Operating Principles which included goals (vision for achievement). We decided to use "future forward" approach were we imaged the future success, then worked backward. Initially our team couldn't seem to agree on much so we decided that we needed a starting point. So I suggested that we each state what we would like to takeaway from this course so that a "goal" can be formed. The bottom-line was that each individual expected to be the best team player that they developed to within a one week course. We decided how we would measure if we reached our goal or not if we "earned" an "A" in the class or not. Moving on the logo design was even more of a challenge because we were a team of people who were used to leading. So we it was time to decide on the creative aspect I realized everyone had an opinion that they thought was valid. So I immediately thought of an idea, then others added on the idea which led to the puzzle pieces.

* I learned that team success happens when teams: have common goals collaborated, and accomplishing the goal has a pay off for everyone. I also learned that you must know when to lead and when to follow others. It was very important to me that everyone in the group had a say in what was to be the end result. I learned that in the beginning we were a "group" rather than TEAM. We were six individuals with self agendas trying to form a unified team. But in order to do that we had to trust each other. It became very apparent to me that in order for this group to become a team we would have to learn and trust each other to take the lead. It was just so obvious that we were all used to leading in our own way. I noticed that was taken back a bit by everyone just jumping in shouting statements hoping that their comment would be heard over the others.

Circles with 1's and 2's (2)

Recap:

* After the introduction of the class, we instructed to count off in by 1, then 2.

* All of the 1s were asked the situate themselves in a circle while the two should on the outside of the circle

* The inner circle 1s were then told to start talking for a certain amount time, and the 2s were to just observe.

* The groups then switched positions where the 2s started to talk and the 1s observed.

Observation:

Group 1 was more personal. Only about 3 people were communicating out of about 12 people. The personalities of the individuals seemed introverted. They did not say much. Perhaps, it was because the initial conversation was about cats. In this group there were few dominant leaders. There seemed to be the existence of fear and/or anxiety. Perhaps it was because it was a "new" territory for them and it was a "new" group.

Group 2 (which I was apart of) was very outgoing to say the least. Initially, there was silence, so guess who stepped to the plate and broke the ice. Me, that right. I suggested that we stated out names, an interesting fact about ourselves, and one word or phrase to describe ourselves. Many of the people in the group seemed relieved that someone took control and decided to initiate interaction. However, this difference in this group is preexisting established relationships that provided a certain level comfort. This group conversation was a little more structured than Group1. Also there was more eye contact with the professor which I did not realize until an observer mentioned it. In this it was noticeable was a pattern formed more so a "circular flow" which meant that every person had to take a turn no one was skipped.

Personal Takeaways:

* Both groups evolved over a small time.

* Small groups can have BIG differences.

* I am comfortable with stepping up can taking the lead when others seem to hesitate about taking the first step.

Case of the Taxi Cab (3)

Recap/Observed:

* Four people were chosen to relay a message to each other one by one.

* As the facts was passed from one person to another, some of the facts were lost and distorted

* Thus when the 4th person had to relay the facts back to the rest of the class. It was completely different from the original communication that was giving to the first person.

Personal Takeaways:

* As the listener, I learned that you must make sure that the receiver of the information understands what you are telling them. (1) You can do this by: asking questions about the specific job that you asked them to do (2) Tactfully ask them to reiterate what you have asked them to do. (3) You can send and email to them highlighted the important points of what you wanted then to do. (3a) if they don't call you with questions, you can give then a call and ask them tactfully if they understand, by saying "I was just calling to make sure that you got my email and to answer any question that you may have, that I was too busy to answer before. Or you can send them little reminders by asking them questions like "How is that report coming along? Are you getting all the information that you need? "

* I also learned that when communication styles are different, miscommunication is more frequent.

* Another significant point is that we often assume the other person knows what we are saying. And they often assume we know what we are trying to communicate.

* We often assume that the information is told and heard correctly; there is often no confirmation of the true story.

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