I recalled working with a group of international students on a charity project a year ago. I was really excited to partner with them in completing this assignment as it was my first time working with a group of people from different cultures and background and I thought it would be a great and memorable experience.(: A group is a collection of individuals who, as a result of interacting with one another over time, become interdependent, developing shared patterns of behaviour and a collective identity.
Thus, forming took place. Forming is the first stage of team building. Our group met up to tackle our tasks and we were assigned with different roles by our leader.
Thus, forming took place. Forming is the first stage of team building. Our group met up to tackle our tasks and we were assigned with different roles by our leader.
After working with them for a few weeks, we realized that we had difficulties in communicating with each other due to language barrier. Furthermore, because of our diversed working styles and the different ideas that we have we couldnt come into one consensus and this further led to storming. Storming is a stage in which different ideas compete for consideration. We found out that we lacked group dialectics thus, potential problems like disagreements and conflicts aroused. The argument escalated and we did not meet up for group discussion the subsequent week.
However, we understood that we were obligated to complete the project and decided to iron out our disagreements thus, norming occured. Norming is a stage where team members adjust their behaviour to each other as they develop work habits that make teamwork seem more natural and fluid. Though we were both mentally and emotionally exhausted, we fought to balance between individual and group needs and realigned ourselves to our common goal. Performing transpires as we did what we were assigned. Performing is a stage where teams are able to function as a unit as they find ways to get the job done smoothly and effectively without inappropriate conflict. After submission of the project we decided to bury the hatches and adjourned.
Through this experience, I've learned to be more tolerant in working with people from diverse cultures and also realized that I should have done research on their cultures and find out more about their interests in order to build a good rapport with them.(:
1 comment:
i find it an interesting challenge to work with different people. in fact, i always try to work with different people during group work, as this allows me to practise the skills needed to perform with people i have just met.
i have noticed that the easiest way to form relationships with the people in a group is to find similarities amongst them. for example, finding out where they used to study might yield information that they were once your ex-schoolmates. this way, the barrier is immediately removed, and it is easier to communicate with the other individual.
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