After the “Teach the Class� Presentation, what are you discovering about yourself in the group process (e.g., roles, communication process, social competencies, motivation level, strengths, weaknesses, attitudes, critiques of others, regrets) and, based on what you discovered, what will you do differently in future team projects?
I discovered quite a few things from paying attention to my role in the group during "teach the class assignment. I found myself to be shifting roles quite often. I came into the project thinking I have to be the leader as I always do. At first I did try taking the leader role but a greater enforcer with better knowledge ended up taking the role, which led me ease up a whole lot on the group. I am sometimes hard on a group if things aren't accomplished on time and don't fit the assignment. I was really glad someone took over the leadership role because in this project we had a lot of that. I really enjoyed just getting my portion of the project done and sending it to the leader who put it all together.
I have always felt that I had tough time with communicating with group members but what I noticed is that I was the one always trying to reach my group member to see where things are and get an update. I found that not too many people responded to my emails and requests. From this I learned that I am better communicator than I thought I was in comparison with my group members. It felt as if I was the leader again because of my constant need to make sure things are going to happen as we planned and hence this is the reason why I say that I found my self shifting roles often.
I think the most important thing I learned is that even when i am not the designated leader in the group, I keep the mentality of how I believe the group should be lead or expect the way i believe it should be lead. This is something I look forward to in the future to resolve and learn to accept the tasks of my role and try to let things that I am not responsible work itself out.
Hi Rak -
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm delighted that another team member "took over the leadership role," which took some pressure off of you. I'm also glad that you learned you have great communication skills. As long as you weren't falling into a controller role, I think it's a great idea to keep communicating with the group and make sure that everyone understands their role - particularly since you didn't get to meet in the Breeze meeting and since it's your first time meeting together.
The important part is to keep a bit of the element of play in the process. I look forward to hearing about your next group activities and if you were able to apply what you learned.
Your skill of communication is really necessary in any group situation. I think that its the right thing to do, to communicate often with the other members. It is not only the leader's responsibility to check if the group is doing well. It is also the members' responsibility to communicate with the others to keep track of the group's progress. Each of the members take part in the group's tasks so they must be aware of their progress to know also if there is something they hasn't done yet; if something has gone wrong; or if what each of them are doing are consistent with the others.
Each member must have skill of communication so that the group can work effectively. Effective communication will help the group avoid misunderstandings which may result to delaying of their success, if not, failure.
Posted by: Skill of Communication at July 18, 2007 10:32 AMIn communicating with the members, sometimes we cannot just rely with mails. We need to really see them especially if it is very important. Use your conversation skills and gather them once in a while to update not only yourself but all of them with the progress of the team's success.
Talking to the members personally would have a different impact than talking to them virtually. There would be more authority or that sincerity will be more felt.
Posted by: Conversation Skills at October 3, 2007 3:00 PMIn communicating with the members, sometimes we cannot just rely with mails. We need to really see them especially if it is very important. Use your conversation skills and gather them once in a while to update not only yourself but all of them with the progress of the team's success.
Talking to the members personally would have a different impact than talking to them virtually. There would be more authority or that sincerity will be more felt.
Posted by: Conversation Skills at October 3, 2007 3:01 PMBeing a good communicator can qualify you as a good leader though you need to be more patient. Being positive at all times will help you handle things especially pressure.
A good leader must think and feel positive always so that his members will be positive as well. Being positive will help the group become motivated and succeed in its goals.
Posted by: sedona method at May 29, 2008 9:54 AM