Critical Review of Team Work - Essay Example

Critical Review of Team Work Introduction In compliance with the observance of keeping a diary of the team’s activities pertinent to the required research, the critical review hereby aims to present what happened during the regularly scheduled meetings and serve as a reflection report of the functioning of the team using Tuckman and Jensen’s model as a central structure. Relevant theories of teamwork, roles, sources of power, conflict, and leadership would also be used to expound on the experiences noted.

Regular Scheduled Activities During the first meeting, a total time of twenty minutes was used to orient ourselves with the members of the group and to determine what exactly is to be researched regarding the topic of fascism. One realized that it was hard to interact with group members who have met for the first time where no one led the group discussion and no roles were designated. This stage is consistent with Tuckman and Jensen’s forming stage (Tuckman and Jensen 1977). In the second meeting, the group members decided to assign tasks to give everyone a part of the presentation; so we all participated equally.

Everyone was happy about the part and roles assigned. We arranged a meeting the week after it so we can add our work together. This stage could be indicative of the storming stage (Tuckman and Jensen 1977) where members realized the need to work and to accomplish the identified goal. However, during the third meeting, no one did the work right as it was supposed to be.No one referenced anything. Some of the group members were getting lazy about the work. It was so disappointing. I believe that this phase is still normal within the group since members expected that other members would perform and there was a wait-and-see phase.

Due to the realization that we needed to accomplish more, during the fourth meeting, we did many things together as a group. The work and cooperation between us was good. All the tasks that were assigned have been prepared and we were ready to practice for the presentation. This stage is consistent with the performance stage of Tuckman and Jensen’s model (Tuckman and Jensen 1977). Therefore, during the fifth meeting, we practiced the presentation and it was good. Everyone was satisfied. It was during the completion of all meetings, and upon realization that when members did the jobs assigned to them, the goals that were initially set were achieved.

This state is the adjourning stage where members recognized and were satisfied with the result of the group’s efforts and will surely miss having worked together, but look forward to other group activities in the near future. Personal Reflection The success of the teamwork was primarily due to the identification of the members on the need to accomplish the defined goal, which is the initial strategy that would ensure the direction and success of the teamwork (Mind Tools 2011). Secondly, we defined roles and tasks, established ways of doing things, and ensured that there was open communication.

The brief setback during the third meeting made all members realize that if we do not do what was expected and assigned, the achievement of the goals would be compromised. Therefore, by eliminating barriers to effective communication, such as “poor listening skills; insufficient sharing of information; differences in interpretation and perception; and nonverbal cues being ignored or missed” (The Teambuilding Directory 2011, par. 3), the group managed to push through with the rest of the activity in a more effective way.

Therefore, my three key learnings about teamwork are: (1) set clear and explicitly defined goals to set the direction and design of tasks to be accomplished; (2) delegate tasks or assign roles to be performed during the course of the activity until the presentation date; and (3) there should be open communication and elimination of barriers to communication.