The Significance of Convincing and Effective Communication - Essay Example

REFLECTIVE ASSIGNMENT- ASSESSMENT 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report is an evaluation of the critical learning acquired through Mega Learning. The seminar took place from October- December 2013. The Mega Learning exercise showed a new dimension towards learning which includes discussion of three critical incidents. In this critical reflective, my learning experiences will be discussed in the light of the events which took place. Enhanced communication and working in a team were the main aspects developed through this seminar. INTRODUCTION Reflections assist with assessment through which the skills and knowledge can be enhanced (Al-Shehri, 1996). The capabilities of individuals are enhanced through learning which requires assessment of the information gathered (Bolton, 2010). Confucius one of the most renowned Chinese thinker quoted that wisdom can be acquired through three methods. One is by assessment and reflection which is noble, second through imitation which is easy and convenient and lastly by experience which is the most toughest and bitter of them all. I consider that self-assessment and reflection are the most effective ways using which the barriers can be reduced. There are different road blocks which come in light through assessment. Through this, the things are tackled, and appropriate solutions are structured. The seminar in particular and the entire teachings of the Strategic Perspectives have helped me assess the things which are holding me back. The seminar on Mega Learning from October- December 2013 has not only enhanced the learning, but it has also enhanced the experience. Some experiences have been positive, and some have also been negative. However, to conclude both the experiences had some sort of value associated with them. The learning acquired through the seminar will surely benefit me with my career in the future. This will make accomplishing the common goals and encountering the challenges easier. In this assessment, the learning acquired as an individual along with the challenges faced as a group will also be discussed. This will be done by providing three critical incidents which arose during the training and the experience acquired as an individual and by the whole group. The assessment and review will assist in analyzing each of the situations independently. Through this, the actions taken, and their suitability in the particular situation can also be discussed. CRITICAL INCIDENT 1 Discovering the realities and finding the core potential and standings of the individuals in the markets are the true forms through which the assessment can be done. In the self-reflection process, assessment and critical understanding play vital and challenging role. The entire self-assessment must be based on three main aspects. With this, the individuals can absorb, do and interact. Acquiring the knowledge, reading and learning are important for absorbing the core facts. Similarly, the activities through which the experience is acquired assist with implementation of the actions. The last and most important aspect is socializing as it is known that humans are social animals, and they cannot live without socializing. Thus, this makes it essential for individuals to interact with each other. Thinking, relating and implementing are important measures using which the appropriate actions can be structured. If the team formation perspective is discussed, a structure can be formed on the basis of norming, storming and performing (Egolf, & Chester, 2013). This scenario explains all the factors of the theory. In the first session, an assessment was presented based on which the individual learning and working preferences were discussed. The group was structured which included four members, 3 boys including me and a girl who joined later approximately after three weeks. The groups were formed on the basis of students with whom the learning style matched most. A document was signed for committing our participation and taking the group work very seriously. As the time passed approximately after three weeks, a new girl was added to the group. At first idea was difficult to adjust with a new member, but as time passed she gelled with the group as she had always been a part. Her contributions to the team were also sufficient. Initially we were against the idea of letting her in the group as she had must the first three weeks and of the seminar. The duty to maintain the log book was assigned to her so that she could cope with what she had missed previously. After the analysis and completion we now think that not letting her in the group would have been a wrong decision. She joined late, and this was not her fault. However, her contributions to the group at the time of completion were notable and recognizable. Harsh decision in the beginning and judging someone at such a basic stage would have wrong, and such assistance would have not been acquired. CRITICAL INCIDENT 2 In the second incident, the team working and group dynamics of the model can be studied. Through this, all the strategic concepts of the theory will be discussed using which the team participation and performance is very important. Through the assessment of the study, it can be analyzed that an implication of the working as a team is extremely important. In understanding, it has been developed that all the action which are taken must be collaborative and not immediate. In the learning of the simulation model, a conflict arose between the team members. This happened in the fourth and fifth week. The addition of the new team member was not well absorbed by all the members. Based on this the fights and conflicts in the system constantly arose. In the fourth and fifth week, I had some ideas which would have been beneficial for the group. The new ideas I shared with the group were not taken seriously. I tried to convince the team members, but they reacted to the ideas extremely negatively. The contradiction to the ideas was damaging for my morale and hurt my understanding of the concepts of simulation. This taught me a lesson that all the members do not adapt so easily to the new ideas. Expressing the ideas and enforcing them on the teams is an art which can be successful and damaging both for the group. My propositions were appropriately directed, and if they had been implemented then a unique understanding could have been developed. At the time of the presentation, it was observed that few of the other groups had implemented the ideas which I was proposing and had successfully attracted the audience. My learning from this event was that a group has all sorts of people. Some acknowledge new ideas and some resist them. It is up to the member and his skills that he is able to implement his ideas so that appropriate results can be acquired. My team members acknowledged a few ideas later in the meeting and after the event started giving consideration to the ideas which I presented. This was motivating for me, but the cost had been faced by the entire group in the presentation. This critique that I developed was a solo experience and this kept me facing the entire group. Resilience and less adaptation to change resisted creating a unique representation. With this, I developed an idea that dejection is an important phase of creativity and based on what others think the ideas must not be suppressed. In another similar event, the submission for the week was being prepared. I suggested that changes must be made as the relevant ideas are not being depicted. The group did not listen as the draft had been prepared and results show in that particular week, the team lost its position. Convincing others and making them understand which actions are required is extremely important as it depicts leadership in the actions. CRITICAL INCIDENT 3 The third and the most disturbing incident which I faced as being part of the team were with evaluating the changing responses of the team members. My participation in the meeting was very active. I participated and presented my ideas to the team will all the good will and enthusiasm. In the second last session, I excused the group for the revision session as I had an extra class scheduled at that time. Few of my associates were reluctant and did not complain about my absence but one. The reaction and response which I had faced was way above my understanding. Complains about the petty issues were presented to me which were seemingly obnoxious. I participated actively in the group and usually gave my best efforts for the participation of the group. My genuine reasoning and excuse led to such an event. From this event, I realized that a team comprises of different members and understanding their viewpoint is extremely important. McCrimmon (1995) believes that if the roles of the team members do not know their roles, then the team will not succeed in achieving its objectives. Senior (1997) believes that segregating the roles of the team help in improving the team performance. In the professional environment, identifying the important aspects and dealing with the situation appropriately is extremely important. This module and interaction with members possessing diverse attitudes has polished my professional skills in understanding and dealing with diversity. Understanding the role of leadership and relating to the situations by taking relevant actions are extremely important in the business environment. The system using which I worked gave me an idea about the methods using which I performed my responsibilities in the group. Some of the meeting with the group was successful and some of them were not so good. This made me aware of the fact that understanding and managing the diverse nature of the group members was extremely important. Application of the Belbin theory in understanding the behavior of team members is extremely important (Belbin, 2010; Belbin, 1993). From this, appropriate personality trait can be defined using which the individuals contribute, relate and behave with the people in a particular way (Belbin, 2000). This theory has about nine different character traits based on which the individual react to the situation in the team (Belbin, 2012). This experience helped me to prepare that in the practical world, it is not necessary that the people may think act and react the way I do. Based on this adaptability the clashes can be avoided, and at certain times they cannot. For avoiding the conflicts, it is necessary that a tolerant behavior is depicted using which the behavior of individuals can be controlled (West, 2012). Studying all the nine characteristics of the personalities helps in equipping and getting prepared to deal with the situations which may arise in the future. The MEGA learning program was very effective and made us prepare for the challenges which may arise in the future. CONCLUSION From the reflective and looking back at the previous experiences it can be assessed that what were the relevant measures which could have been taken. Dealing with the case at the right time and proposing the right solutions would have been extremely necessary as an action. My actions could have changed some of the discrepancies, but lack of convincing ability affected my learning dramatically. Several confrontation actions could have been avoided. After the events, the significance of convincing and effective communication have been presented and discussed. All the ideas must be communicated effectively so that the appropriate and relative applicative actions can be taken. The ideas I gave were not implemented however these ideas could have been proposed by me in a more effective structure rather than vague suggestions. Through communication, vital situations could have been avoided. For the implementation of ideas, it is extremely important that the experiences which I thought would benefit the team should have been enforced by me so that the relevant implementation could take place. This learning and adaptation along with understanding will aid and assist me with the future development in my career. From the self-assessment and reflective that has been proposed I can develop an understanding of growing in my career and excelling in the future. Next time when such situations arise I will be aware of the facts and know exactly about the action which needs to be taken whether they are good or bad. As it had been stated earlier in this report that reflection is a path of self-assessment and self-improvement through which the future mistakes can be avoided (Fook & Askeland, 2006). Belbin, R. M. (2010). Team roles at work. Routledge. References Al-Shehri, A. (1996). Learning by reflection in general practice: a study report. Education for General Practice, vol. 7, pp. 237-248. Belbin, R. M. (1993). Team roles at work: A strategy for human resource management. zitiert in: Teamarbeit und Teamentwicklung, pp. 321. Belbin, R. M. (2000). Beyond the team. Routledge. Belbin, R. M. M. (2012). Management teams. Routledge. Bolton, G. (2010). Reflective practice: Writing and professional development. Sage publications. Egolf, D., & Chester, S. (2013). Forming Storming Norming Performing. IUniverse. Fook, J., & Askeland, G. A. (2007). Challenges of critical reflection:‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained’. Social Work Education, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 520-533. McCrimmon, M. (1995). Teams without roles: empowering teams for greater creativity. Journal of Management Development, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 35-41. Senior, B. (1997). Team roles and team performance: is there ‘really’a link?. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, vol. 70, no. 3, pp. 241-258. West, M. A. (2012). Effective teamwork: Practical lessons from organizational research. John Wiley & Sons. Read More