‘Instructor’s Name’
‘Subject’
Team Debrief
The past few days gave us a perfect opportunity to learn firsthand the various benefits and features of group dynamics. We learnt how a group functions productively and how we can, as a team, make better decisions than as individuals. Our group consisted of individuals with diverse nature and background, each bringing to the group their own unique perspectives and unique strengths and weaknesses. Each of us contributed equally to the group objectives and learnt a lot from and with each other.
When we first formed the group, the immediate agenda was not to chart out a plan or discuss the group topic, but to know each other. The very first step took by us is to introduce ourselves to others and exchange contact information. We made an effort to know the other group members and establish a good friendship. The ‘forming’ stage of our group mainly concentrated on establishing a cordial team environment.
Next, we charted out a course of action. The planning process of our project first involved selection of a suitable topic. We considered all ideas and selected Italy as our topic. We conducted a basic research on Italy and gathered ideas. Then, we decided upon some basic set of rules and chose a leader. After that, we created a ten page draft and split the topics, with each group member allotted a particular topic to work on. So, there were no free riders in our group as each of us had a particular task to do.
The main outcome of our group project was that we learnt how to work with each other. We even learnt how to manage individual differences and how to sometimes disagree with others’ ideas without causing group friction. The basic tenet of out group was the mutual respect for ideas and feelings of the team members. We shared what we knew, without inhibition, and discussed on those ideas, sometimes agreeing to disagree.
All decisions were taken after a team meeting, and the group objectives was revisited in every stage of development to see whether we are on the right course. We divided the workload equitably among us, and the team equally valued all individual contributions. Once we finished working on our individual topics, we discussed our individual research with other team members and corrections were carried out based on the feedback from the group.
Our team can be more effective in the future if we experiment more in the next projects. We refrained from any out-of-the-box thinking or huge experimentation in the current topic, and it would be good to be bit more creative in our next projects. Secondly, we worked in perfect harmony this time and there was no real way to find out how we would handle group conflicts, if and when they arise.
Some constructive arguments and conflicts could have helped us in finding out how group differences arise and how they can be solved. Finally, if we had sought counsel of an outside expert, say an Italian business executive or some person who has firsthand experience in Italian management culture, it would have further enriched our project.
Overall, we had a good working experience and a positive team environment. There was no in-group pressure or hidden agenda among the members. We encouraged and motivated each other, and approached the project as a team rather than as a bunch of individuals. We had a unique group dynamics and leadership style and we studied, debated and bonded with each other, which lead to close friendships that have lasted even after the completion of the project.
