Working With Others
Definition- Forming a team, adapting to the group environment, designating roles, and completing the task successfully
Criteria:
-Be open-minded
-Listen
-Support constructive debate
-Know your role as well as the team vision
-Stay involved
-Be aware of others’ strengths and weaknesses,
Example- During my Freshman Business Initiative class, I was assigned to a group where we had to complete a project and present it at the end of the semester. Our first task as a group was to brainstorm a topic, which had to do with a business in the Bryan/College Station area. Naturally, we all had completely different ideas, but conflict arose when we had to come to a decision of just one. This was a daunting process because as a newly formed team, we were all unsure of each others’ personalities and how to work with one another. Finally, we decided on a topic by using rock paper scissors, which is not the most reliable decision maker.
After this process was complete, we decided to take the time and define each team member’s role in our group contract. I was assigned the role of secretary, which entitled me to keep up with our paperwork and send out reminders for tasks that needed to be accomplished. Similarly, my other teammates were given a role, which played to their own strengths. After the assignment of various roles and duties, all other goals for the group seemed to fall into place with ease.
The semester came to a close, our project was finally finished, and our presentation went extremely well. As a team, we drastically exceeded the expectations I had the first day we met with one another. The awkward, incompatible group of people I was initially assigned to had completely transformed into a hardworking and cohesive team. I believe it was the clear and defined roles, which led us to a successful project presentation. As I reflect on my personal experience working with others in this situation, I’ve learned that establishing roles and guidelines is a helpful tool in maintaining a compatible and productive team.
Criteria:
-Be open-minded
-Listen
-Support constructive debate
-Know your role as well as the team vision
-Stay involved
-Be aware of others’ strengths and weaknesses,
Example- During my Freshman Business Initiative class, I was assigned to a group where we had to complete a project and present it at the end of the semester. Our first task as a group was to brainstorm a topic, which had to do with a business in the Bryan/College Station area. Naturally, we all had completely different ideas, but conflict arose when we had to come to a decision of just one. This was a daunting process because as a newly formed team, we were all unsure of each others’ personalities and how to work with one another. Finally, we decided on a topic by using rock paper scissors, which is not the most reliable decision maker.
After this process was complete, we decided to take the time and define each team member’s role in our group contract. I was assigned the role of secretary, which entitled me to keep up with our paperwork and send out reminders for tasks that needed to be accomplished. Similarly, my other teammates were given a role, which played to their own strengths. After the assignment of various roles and duties, all other goals for the group seemed to fall into place with ease.
The semester came to a close, our project was finally finished, and our presentation went extremely well. As a team, we drastically exceeded the expectations I had the first day we met with one another. The awkward, incompatible group of people I was initially assigned to had completely transformed into a hardworking and cohesive team. I believe it was the clear and defined roles, which led us to a successful project presentation. As I reflect on my personal experience working with others in this situation, I’ve learned that establishing roles and guidelines is a helpful tool in maintaining a compatible and productive team.