Research Paper on Usefulness of Reflection in the Professional Practice

Introduction

Reflection is important because it gives an individual to explore their past experiences and apply them in future practices or encounters. Also, it provides a good opportunity for skill development and learning as people reflect on their past accomplishments and the challenges or areas of weaknesses they might have encountered. The reflection is essential as it will help me in developing my professional skills, learning from the errors and improve the future performances. Therefore, professional ought to engage in reflections regularly, though, when done in the extreme it may have an undesired effect such as reduced self-esteem especially when an individual was not able to fulfill their expectations and targets.

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The business world is highly dynamic, and thus companies that survive in the industry must also engage in constant research and development to ensure that they remain relevant and competitive in the market. The simulation project provided an opportunity to explore the dynamism in the business operations and how companies can align their operational strategies to remain competitive and sustain their development. The simulation was focused on the automobile manufacturing and strategic decisions which were adopted to increase the share per price value. The value of share depends on the profitability of a company; as the company's profitability increase so is their share values. Investors are most interested in investing in ventures that guarantee them high returns on investment as well as a high dividend payment. Therefore, by exploring the case of automobile industry and their decision-making strategies, it was apparent that the firm engages in continuous review and development process that enables them to identify the areas of weaknesses and restructure their operation to meet the targets.

The simulation project was conducted in a group, and this was a great opportunity to explore the business operation strategies and decision-making from a wider perspective considering that each team member could contribute based on their comprehension, conceptual knowledge, and opinions. The group members were composed of five people located in different parts of the world.

The Personal Relevance of the Reflection

The reflection will be mainly on the business simulation project; the project explored the business management and simulation units. Some of the elements covered in the project included exploring the relationship and interdependence between the various functional units in a business. Additionally, there were much to learn regarding teamwork and team dynamics. The concepts from the simulation project were relevant especially in the current era where the world is characterized by the global business operation. It is possible to find managers from different parts of the world working together and managing their operations through the virtual team operations. Therefore, understanding team dynamics provides an opportunity to explore emerging challenges especially with the emergence of virtual group operations. The success in the simulation project was mainly based on the effective teamwork and management process. Transformational leadership is one of the leadership practice suitable for business performance, and it is mainly based on the effectiveness of the leader to embrace teamwork and coordinate activities. The leadership approach requires that leaders work jointly with their subjects and impart knowledge, skills, and competence on them so that they are equipped and empowered to deliver company's activities and promote the realization of its goals and objectives.

Reflective Model

The Gibb's reflective model involves systematic thinking about the phases of the activity. The reflection cycle involves a description of the event that happened and the feelings about the event and the evaluation, analysis, conclusion and finally the action plan. The reflection will be based on Gibb's reflective learning model which mainly involves the description of what happened and the experiences or lessons acquired from the event. The second reflection model relevant to this case is the Kolb's experiential learning which involves four major phases. The initial phase is analyzing the event regarding what happened and then exploring the experiences learned from the event. The third phases involve exploring the possible reasons why the event happened and finally developing an action plan on what to do in case a similar event present in the future. Additionally, the model explores the need to conduct further research to understand the concepts and lessons acquired from the event. Finally, one develops the action plan based on the experiences (Husebo, O'Regan, and Nestel 2015, p.368).

The Gibb's model will be essential in fostering both the academic and professional development that will help in the realization of the professional goals as a manager and a leader. The reflection will mainly encompass the stages and phases described below.

Fig. The Gibb's reflective model(Husebo, O'Regan, and Nestel 2015, p.371)

Reflection Analysis

Entrepreneurial skills are essential for business success; therefore, I was keen to grasp as much information as possible from the simulation project. The other important features of good teamwork acquired from the project included the importance of respecting each other and engaging in honest communication. A break in the communication process means that the group members cannot deliver their tasks and responsibilities as required. As a result, there is likely to be delays in the completion of the project activities. Secondly, the team must have goals, and for any business organization, they should aim at maximizing both the stakeholder and shareholders' values. I believe that the skills will help me grow into a competent and influential leader in the business sector. Communication determines the relationship developed between the leader and their employees as well as how the business relates to the external environment. Both internal and external environment are important determinants of the success level in any business operation.

What Happened

Using Gibb's reflection model, the simulation project experience was team characterized by ineffective communication and dynamics in the virtual communication; however, the challenges were resolved with time.

Feelings

Group interactions, especially in the virtual environment, are challenging especially considering that our case involved people from different nationalities. The experience was normally based on the case scenario.

Evaluation

Proper communication was later developed with time, and the team was well coordinated. Communications were made regularly and eventually; the team members developed trust towards each other. The resolution of the communication technicalities and virtual teamwork was well done, and this was good in promoting the success of the simulation project.

Analysis

Based on the experience, it was evident that the success of teamwork lies in the willingness of the team members to collaborate and coordinate with one another. Constant communication is also important considering that people are not physically attached; the communication builds and enhances trust which is required for the achievement of a collaborative goal.

Conclusion

Trust and communication can be soiled when the team members do not meet and interact face to face. However, technological development has enhanced the virtual interactions in the virtual teamwork, and the team member can interact as often as possible. Establishing team goals and holding great meetings in the virtual environment alongside leveraging of the individual and collective strength enhanced the success of the teamwork in the simulation project.

Action Plan

In case such a situation emerge in the future, proper leadership will be developed and a collaborative and effective communication channel developed. All team members will be engaging to ensure that the adopted communication channel is appropriate for all members.

SMART Action Plan

The subsequent projects will be successful considering that the experiences in the simulation projects were enriching regarding how to manage virtual teams. The challenges associated with the virtual teamwork may not be eliminated as it may take time for people to come into terms especially when it involves members from a different part of the world. However, the action plan for the subsequent group work success will mainly be divided into four sections as listed below:

• Develop an appropriate communication channel
• Promote communication and constantly update
• Delegate works
• Embrace each other and accept diversity

The first action plan will involve designing the appropriate means of communication that favors all members of the team. Having a common communication channel ensures that all people can access the important communications made to the group in time. Lack of a common communication channel may hamper the success of group work and result to delays in the task delivery because some members of the group may not receive communication and in the long run, may get discouraged.

The second element involves engaging in constant communication and updating the group's project. The constant communication enhances cohesion among the team and thus promoting their commitment to the course of the project. Also, the constant communication and updates ensure that the group is active and this motivates the members to be associated with the activities taking place in the project. Also, communication allows the team members to learn the strengths and weaknesses of each other and in the course develop a synergistic approach of work that guarantees the project's success.

The third step involves the delegation of tasks to the team members based on their experiences, strengths, and expertise. Delegation ensures that all members are actively engaged in the project's course, and none of them feels irrelevant in the team. Task delegation will also ensure that activities are completed in time.

Finally, enhancing diversity is an important element in the success of the groups' project as evident in the simulation project. Diversity promotes innovation; however, poor management may result in increased conflict and delays in the realization of the team's goals. Embracing diversity involves respecting each other regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds. Therefore, the team will have to formulate policies governing diversity and interrelationships among people from different parts of the word. The previous project was a good example of how diversity enhances innovation in a group's project; all people were treated as equally important, and their views and opinions respected accordingly. Also, all activities were coordinated through the leader, and this is the approach to take.

Reference List

Husebo, S.E., O'Regan, S. and Nestel, D., 2015. Reflective practice and its role in simulation. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 11(8), pp.368-375.