A Tool for Enhancing Interpersonal Relationship - Example

Student’s Name Instructor’s Name Course Date Introduction My name is Nadal Alfahaid and I am a member of group four led by Steven Amidjojo. It is true that working in this group has been an awesome experience. The diversity of members of the group made learning a unique experience that every person would always wish to get its touch. From the onset to its conclusion, it was reallyawesome. Part of this great experience is attributable to the contribution of our group leader. Every member’s contribution made a huge difference in the group. This was mainly based on the fact that members were from different backgrounds. They therefore contributed a unique flavour to the benefit of the group. The group helped me discover my abilities and strengths. I came to realize that I was not as weak as I used to think. This is because in the team, enough platforms were available for everybody to showcase what they had. At the end of it, everyone’s effort is appreciated. Some of those who made it very interesting include Lynsay Bell, Michelle Mendes, Andrea Odde and our team leader. I want to believe they gained from me as much as I did from them. Communication The issues that were passed across during that period of learning either led to the development of individual or group dynamics. One of the things we learnt of which I have benefited so much is communication. Many goals have been achieved in this particular team. The communication skills have grown ever since the onset of this group work. Members have learned how to freely express themselves. This has helped in improving the overall output of the group. Communication has helped in the overall performance of the group in several ways. This emanates from the point of view that people are different and prone to raising different opinions when making contributions. I vividly recall one occasion when Lynsay Bell made a comment that was completely out of topic to a point where members thought she was from sleep. Nevertheless, members did not rebuke her. In fact, Mendes kindly notified her that the point she had raised was not in line with the agenda of that day. In the manner in which Mendes put it, it was very easy for Lynsay to take the correction warmly with a smile. These are some of the communication skills that maintained the cohesiveness of this group. Members learnt how to differ politely with other members. The use of phrases like, ‘am sorry but...’, ‘I kindly beg to differ’, ‘am sorry, but I have a contrary opinion’, etc. was very common. Therefore, we learnt the significance of communication from a group perspective and definitely how it can be applied to larger organization situation. There are many ways through which communication can be explained of having benefited this group. One of the ways through which communication skills has helped us a group is in conflict resolution. I remember the moment where I had some differences with a certain member (name intentionally withheld) on the basis of role allocation. It was very difficult for other members to contain the situation. Nevertheless, our leader saved the situation. The tool he used was talking to both of us well. He was able to convince us since he had excellent communication skills. Ever since, I had great interpersonal relationship with that member that we had disagreed. It is, therefore, true that effective communication is a tool for enhancing interpersonal relationship. This will encourage cohesiveness in everything that happens inside and around the team. This enhanced an environment where members operated on the basis of mutual trust and friendship. This facilitates unity in the group which was the reason we were able to achieve our goals within the specified period. Leadership Besides communication, this is another arena that was quite phenomenal in our group. In fact, this is when I came to realize that real leadership was in the ability to influence. This to me is the greatest aspect of leadership that I learnt over the period. Without the ability to influence the direction of the team, a leader is just any ordinary person. That is the reason much of the success that we had at group is attributed to our leader, Steven. On many occasions when we were at crossroads on a number of occasions, he would provide the required guidance. He was the number one risk taker in the group. These are just some of the contributions that Steven made in the group. At the same time, many members also demonstrated leadership abilities in our meetings. On some occasions, Steven was forced to delegate some of the responsibilities amongst members. It was great in relation to the manner in which these members dealt with their responsibilities. This was manifested through several ways. One of them is how visionary our leader was. He had great plans for the group from onset. Whatever we were able to accomplish was because he planned for them individually. Rarely would the unnecessary issue deter his focus. This aspect surely kept us going throughout the period. Conclusion If I am given a chance to make an assessment of the performance of the group, I will simply say it was splendid. It is not always easy to take advantage of the differences among people and make it into an asset of the group. We saw the variety in views and contributions from various members to be an oasis of ideas. We worked out our problems in an excellent way. The objectives that we were able to achieve indicate that the project was very successful. Members had a clear understanding of the need and importance of synergy. Individual contributions put together yields better results as compared to individual members working separately. At the end of it, it makes it easier to achieve the overall goals of the group. An analysis of members before and after group project indicates that members have grown in certain aspects in relation to organization behaviour. Members’ communication skills have greatly improved. At the same time, members are more enduring than they were at the beginning. This can be seen during discussion in the way members differed with others. This is good and the team leader deserves some credit for this. Read More