Working with a team has enabled me to achieve the objectives of the project and taught me the importance of communication in teamwork. By being a part of the team, I am now better equipped with the tools and knowledge required to work in a team through cooperation and coordination.
Team theories suggest that teams undergo a series of stages, a common one being the ‘sequential stage’ formulated by Bruce Tuckman (Smith 2002, p. 42). According to this theory, a group goes through five essential stages of forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Team members begin by getting to know each other as they begin to work in the foremost forming stage. In keeping with the theory, the team went through a series of changes. The group went through the forming stage as we began discussing the project. This stage was also an introductory stage for getting to know the team members.
As the sequential theory suggests, the team progressed to the storming stage, during which we set personal group agendas and developed rules of acceptable behaviors. It is during this stage that team members experience difference through conflict and the team focuses on management of the conflict (Smith 2002, p. 42). We soon transcended the storming stage and developed a respect for other members of the team, setting up rules to achieve the final goal of the project. The conflict stage was soon passed as we entered the norming stage, the next stage according to Tuckman’s sequential theory.
As a team, all members settled and began to perform individual tasks. By doing so, the group communication improved and an atmosphere of cohesiveness evolved among members. As a group, we displayed several important characteristics of an effective team through the common goal we shared. Each member of the team practiced effective communication and displayed the essential skills of careful listening, decision making, conflict management, problem-solving, and leadership (Smith 2002, p. 41).
The final stage according to the sequential theory is the performing stage (Smith 2002, p. 43). We were successful in passing the final stage as we accomplished our objective and optimally completed the teamwork activity. Working in the team helped us learn from one another so that we functioned effectively. Our communication skills were greatly enhanced and we learned the dynamics of effective teamwork.
Passing through the stages provided a distinct experience that added to my personal and academic development. Needless to say, I have benefitted personally as well. Understanding the structure, functions, and motivation supporting teamwork and group activities has equipped me with the necessary skills of functioning as an effective group or team member. As a member of the team, I learned that teamwork dynamics differ distinctly from individual work. In a team, every member contributes towards a common goal through a series of individual tasks. Teamwork activity was a satisfying task and has strengthened my theoretical knowledge through the practical skills I gained from the experience.
Reference
Smith, K 2002. Teamwork and Project Management. Web.