I had a very positive learning experience doing the research report because Gary and Zhi Lian were very cooperative and committed project partners. After this research report, I truly understand what it takes to achieve success in teamwork.
Firstly I believe the most important factor in deciding whether a project will be successful is how responsible a role each team member plays. For example, after each meeting, we would split up the work and decide who would do which part. If each of us had not been a good team player, our project would have failed.
Secondly clear communication between team members is very important. Outside of class, we had to meet up to finish any additional work. We maintained contact through smses, msn messenger and face-to-face meetings. Sometimes it was necessary to clarify our doubts when working on the project and discussion helped us a lot.
Thirdly I believe it is necessary for team members to assume the role of leader or follower for the project to carry on seamlessly. For example in the beginning, Gary took charge a lot and decided on the date, time and venue of our project meetings. So he played the role of the leader and Zhi Lian and I followed.
Towards the end, Zhi Lian took charge of compiling the research report while Gary and I contributed our parts. So Zhi Lian played the role of the leader while Gary and I were followers. In a team, you cannot have 2 leaders simultaneously or people will quarrel or get confused about the direction of the project. Someone must also be the follower to ensure that the work gets done.
In our project, we interchanged the role of leader and follower a few times so that no one would be the leader for too long and get exhausted.
Lastly I believe building good interpersonal relationships are essential for successful teamwork. For example during the week when I had 3 midterm tests, Gary and Zhi Lian were understanding enough to give me less work and let me study. I reciprocated the favour when Gary had his midterm test by doing some of his work. If we had refused to help each other out and insisted that everyone contribute fairly, we would have been stressed out, bad-tempered and probably produce poor quality work.
9 comments:
Hi Yun Nian. It was interesting how your group members played different roles at various stages of the project so that none of you would be exhausted. I am surprised as I do not recall any personal similar experience. The tendency seemed be to having the roles defined early and usually that would carry through until the end of the project.
This working style of changing between a leadership and supportive role requires much cooperation and mutual understanding within the group members. Group members must be able to look beyond their personal preferences and be willing to work towards the success of the group. It is encouraging to hear that your group had that kind of synergy.
Hi Yun Nian! I think you brought up an important point that each member in the team must be responsible in what they are doing. Without responsibility, the team would not have been able to meet so many tight deadlines and got the report done in a matter of weeks. However, we must not assume that responsible team members are a given. I had past experiences of doing projects with irresponsible people that causes the project to turn into a disaster. Therefore, you should be thankful for having such good teammates!
Hi Yun Nian,
Understanding and playing our respective roles are genuinely important for a smoother flow of work. Like you said, when a member crosses the line and tries to be a leader, there will be confusion. However, this should not prevent members from being proactive and initiative. I feel that your group has clearly taken proactive steps by volunteering and interchanging roles when it was necessary to do so. For it is in giving that we receive. I am sure these acts of sacrifice were greatly appreciated within the group and this would have promoted better group cooperation and also forged closer bonds as friends!
Hi Yun Nian. I agree with you on the point regarding rotation of roles. Sometimes when I am unable to attend meetings due to other lessons, Jia Hwa will take over the role as leader to get things moving! Also, it would be tiring and stressful for a sole leader to always take charge of the team progress and push the team himself. Therefore rotation of roles sounds like a good idea. This shift of roles should be part of individual team member's initiative.
Also, in order to support the leader, followers should know their own duties and responsibility. In this case, each member of the group should do their own part on time and contribute to the team.
Hi Yun Nian! I agree with you that though rotation of roles, there will be less burden placed on the leader and that everyone will have a can to lead and direct the project. However, the rotation of roles can only be successful if everyone is committed to common goals and every member of the group has to take the initiative to lead. It would be counter productive if two leaders with different goals and styles of working were to take charge of a project although they could still try to accommodate their different working styles.
Everyone has his own role to play. As Edwin has mentioned, the leader should direct the project and make sure that the deadlines are met whereas the other members of the group should always try to keep to the deadlines and support the leader in decision making. Finally, I am sure that everyone wants the best for the project although they may have different styles of doing things. The key to success lies in teamwork and the mutual understanding among the team members. I am glad that you have really good team mates. =)
Hey Yun Nian,
I agree with you on the point that having responsible team mates is very important when doing project. I have friends who did projects with free riders. It was not only frustrating, but also jeopardising to the grade. It is good to know that you have responsible team mates.
I think that it is a good thing that you guys have compromised and worked around each other's timetable. It is definitely hard to time a comment time to meet and work together.
I also agree that having a good leader is important in completing the project on time and also well done. A leader is like the captain onboard a ship. He steers that ship in such a way that everyone can reach the destination on time and safely. Leader in this project would keep us on track with the project pace.
Congrats on the completion of the written part of the project!
Hi project mate! It was nice having you in the group. I agree with you that each of us played an important role whether as a leader or a follower. It is rather important for us to coordinate efficiently and get the project done. Communication is really essential as well because if you did not tell us about your mid term tests we would not be able to empathize with you by giving you lesser workload. Another important factor is trust, if we do not trust that each of us will complete the task, then it will be rather chaotic.
Hi Yun Nian, it is very true that if each of the group members had not been responsible, the project would have failed.
Just like your group, my group split the job after every meeting due to time constraint. If each of us failed to be a good team player and be responsible for our own parts, we would not have met the deadlines and completed the project efficiently and effectively. I am grateful that I have 3 very responsible group mates!
It is also interesting that your group had an interchanging system for the different roles. It is definitely important not to exhaust a particular group members over time. Now I do feel bad that Edwin was our leader all along! However, my group mates often took the initiative during project meetings. I guess this helped lighten the load on Edwin.
Regards,
JiaHwa
Hi Yun Nian,
I enjoyed reading how your group members rotated the leadership role at various stages in the project. Very interesting! However, as mentioned by you and Brandon, if there are two leaders at any point in time, there would be confusion and conflict. So, I am really very happy to read that all your group members were very accommodating and helpful during the whole process.
I especially liked what you said about how doing this research project has helped you "truly understand what it takes to achieve success in teamwork". From your blog and Zhilian's blog, I can see that there was great teamwork. You should give yourselves a pat on the back. Keep it up for the oral presentation!
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