You Will Likely Be Working Closely With Other People
You Will Likely Be Working Closely With Other People In The Organizati
You will likely be working closely with other people in the organization, either as a member of a team or perhaps as an internal consultant. In either case, your capability to communicate and work effectively will be tested. The following exercise will help you become more aware of and practiced with a variety of necessary soft skills. You will perform some self-evaluations and reflect on the material presented. Areas covered in the readings may include team process, team leadership, communication, active listening/questioning, individual responsibility to the team, personal initiative and others.
Reflect on the information contained in the selected readings. Compare the ideas, concepts, and skills with your own experience (both past experience and your current internship work). Explain how your experiences are the same or different from the material presented in the readings. Describe areas where your current team process and/or personal practice is less than optimal and could be improved by implementing one or more of the ideas under consideration. Highlight how you can make use of any of the ideas presented to improve your results in the workplace.
Paper For Above instruction
Effective communication and collaboration are essential skills for success in any organizational environment. Reflecting on the provided readings on team process, leadership, communication, and active listening, I recognize both similarities and differences between the theories presented and my personal experiences, particularly during my internship period. This essay explores these comparisons, identifies areas for personal improvement, and discusses how implementing specific strategies from the readings can enhance my workplace effectiveness.
In my internship, I was often assigned to team projects requiring coordination, decision-making, and active participation. The readings emphasize the importance of clear communication channels, shared goals, and accountability. I found that while I generally adhere to these principles, there are instances where my communication could be more proactive and clearer, aligning with the concepts of active listening and questioning techniques discussed in the literature. For example, during team meetings, I tend to listen attentively but sometimes hesitate to ask clarifying questions, which can lead to misunderstandings or missed opportunities for clarification.
The readings also highlight the significance of leadership within teams, whether formal or informal. In my experience, leadership emerged more naturally from team members who demonstrated initiative and clarity of purpose. However, I recognize that I can develop my leadership skills further by fostering a more collaborative environment, encouraging input from all team members, and demonstrating personal responsibility. Implementing collaborative leadership strategies discussed in the readings could improve team cohesion and productivity.
A notable gap in my current approach relates to personal responsibility and accountability. The literature stresses individual contributions’ importance and the value of personal initiative. During my internship, I sometimes relied heavily on team leaders for direction rather than proactively seeking out responsibilities or solutions. To address this, I can adopt the strategy of setting personal goals aligned with team objectives, as suggested by the readings, which would enhance my contribution and demonstrate greater accountability.
Furthermore, the material on team process emphasizes ongoing feedback and reflection as tools for continuous improvement. I have realized that I could incorporate more structured feedback mechanisms into my team interactions, such as regular check-ins or peer reviews. This would facilitate better understanding of my strengths and areas for development, ultimately leading to improved team performance.
To improve my workplace results, I plan to apply several ideas from the readings. First, I will practice active listening more consciously, asking clarifying questions to ensure shared understanding. Second, I will take more personal responsibility by proactively volunteering for tasks that align with my skills and development goals. Third, I will foster a collaborative leadership style by encouraging diverse viewpoints during team discussions and emphasizing collective success over individual recognition. Lastly, I will initiate regular feedback sessions within my team to promote continuous learning and improvement.
In conclusion, my experiences during my internship align with many of the principles outlined in the readings, but there are clear opportunities for growth. By embracing active listening, taking greater personal responsibility, and fostering a collaborative environment, I can enhance both my individual contributions and team dynamics. These strategies will equip me with the soft skills necessary for effective teamwork and leadership, ultimately improving my impact within the organization.
References
- Belbin, R. M. (2010). Team roles at work. Routledge.
- Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2019). Joining together: Group theory and group skills. Pearson.
- McShane, S. L., & Glinow, M. A. (2020). Organizational Behavior. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications.
- Robinson, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2019). Organizational Behavior. Pearson.
- Schermerhorn, J. R., Hunt, J. G., & Osborn, R. N. (2022). Organizational Behavior. Wiley.
- Yukl, G. (2019). Leadership in Organizations. Pearson.
- Hackman, J. R. (2002). Leading Teams: Setting the Stage for Great Performances. Harvard Business Review Press.
- Fisher, R., & Ury, W. (2011). Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. Penguin Books.
- Katzenbach, J. R., & Smith, D. K. (2015). The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-Performance Organization. Harvard Business Review Press.