Group Behavior and Effective Teams - Essay Sample

Most workplaces are characterized by many people working together towards a common goal. Working as part of a group or team is often inevitable. In this personal reflection, I highlight how several concepts presented in the course relate to my professional effectiveness. The concepts I focus on include team development, the traits that define effective team players as well as managing diversity within teams.

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Many firms around the world realize the importance of organizing their operations around teams as opposed to individual employees. As such, team development is taking center stage. I had an opportunity to be part of a team development process. It facilitates the creation of a working environment that is captivating by promoting interdependence and cooperation. Leaders and individual workers play an important role in the success of the team development process. In my previous role as a team leader, I contributed to the team building process by ensuring that I mentor the team members and motivate them through constant encouragement and praises. In my future contribution to team development, I plan to be impartial while dealing with the team members and encourage open discussions among the team members as a way of bypassing the internal obstacles that often hinder the team development process.

Being part of a team has always proved to be rewarding. I have been able to make many friends and establish strong professional relationships with others through my participation in teams in the workplace. However, creating an effective team is not always a straightforward endeavor, as it requires individuals to exhibit qualities of a good team player. These qualities include showing genuine commitment, doing ones fair share as expected, quickly adapting to changing situations as well as being an effective communicator. Effective team players always translate into an effective team in the workplace. To be a better team player, I will work towards improving my interpersonal communication skills by not shying away from engaging other members of the groups I will be working with and clearly speaking my mind. From my experiences, I learned that great team players normally communicate their thoughts in a clear and honest manner and, at the same time, show respect for the opinions and views aired by other team members. Additionally, I believe that going out of my way to do more than what is expected of me as a team member will help improve my position as an effective team player. Taking extra initiatives and responsibilities always sets aside hardworking and committed team members from those who are passive and reluctant to contribute to the success of the team as well as the organization.

The contemporary work environment is characterized by workers from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds, a fact that requires effective management of diversity. In the numerous groups and teams that I had an opportunity to be part of, I interacted with people from different races and religions. Getting a clear understanding of how their beliefs and approaches to life are different from mine has always ensured that our interactions are respectful and professional. Team members need to acknowledge the fact that different types of diversity have the potential to lead to a variety of conflicts, which consequently have a direct impact on team performance. In my future participation in groups and teams, I will strive to work in teams whose members have diverse personalities since diversity has proved to increase the effectiveness of teams. Apart from promoting tolerance and understanding, diversity within groups and teams also forms the basis of creativity. To ensure that I avoid direct conflicts with my future teammates and co-workers, I will continue to appreciate and respect the differences in beliefs, ideas as well as personalities that different people exhibit.