Reflective Statement Sample Assignment (GC01895)

Introduction

A reflective statement is a way of writing individual knowledge, understanding and experiences in a particular situation (Francis and Marquand, 2012). A reflective statement also can be defined as the analysis of thoughts and experiences, future goals or impact of experience (Moon, 2014). This statement outlines my contribution to teams and learning from the team works. In fact, this statement focuses on the outcome of one of my coursework, named entrepreneurship, of MBA program, and experiences gained from this coursework as a group/team member. Finally, this teamwork developed a business plan for the proposed new and start-up entrepreneurship business, called Peace & Fashion.

How we have developed our team

We have applied Tuckman’s team development theory to build up our team. This theory describes four stages that teams may progress through: forming, storming, norming, and performing, adjourning (Mullins, 2015). In the forming stage, we got to know each other and tried to make a good impression, and created a set of shared expectations, guidelines, or a Team Charter. In this stage, we also build trust and got to know the various strengths and weaknesses of the team members. In the storming stage, we found out-group conflict and dysfunction. Preliminary expectations and boundaries were challenged as individuals learn more about each other’s motivations. Finally, during the norming stage, we resolved conflicts and teammates proved flexible, and each team member knew their role and works. In the performing stage, we worked together well, established a synergy, and developed systems that met team goals smoothly and efficiently.

My role and tasks

Belbin’s Team Roles theory defines nine particular roles in team works. These nine roles are shown in the diagram, which is grouped into three particular behavioral categories: thought-oriented, people-oriented, as well as action-oriented. Every function is related to specific teamwork behavior and team members’ strengths and weaknesses (Educational Business Articles, 2015). Belbin’s Team Roles Model shown in the following diagram discloses nine particular roles for the group/team members (Educational Business Articles, 2015). In this teamwork, my role was resource investigator, where my task was to conduct a feasibility study on proposed new and start-up businesses. Therefore, I conducted market analysis, customer and supplier analysis, competitors and competitive position analysis, and both external and internal analysis of the proposed business.

The strengths of our team

According to Wayne (2012), strengths theory can be applied to define individual strengths in teamwork. This theory focuses on philosophy, strengths, and possible outcomes from teamwork. In our team, there were four team members, where everyone has particular strengths. I was the team leader. My strength was  I had a long-time experience in business management. In addition, from my childhood, I have loved thinking differently. Thus, the concept of the proposed business, first, came from my mind. Then, three other team members are graduates and have log time experiences in business operations and management.  Therefore, every team member could share their knowledge, understanding, and experience in the teamwork. The other strength of our team was the team leader, named Mr. Arafat, who practiced both democratic as well as transformational leadership, which are widely recognized as the effective leadership style in developing new ideas, as Mullins (2015) notes.

The weaknesses of our team

Although our team had various strengths, it had some weaknesses. Firstly, all of the team members including the team leader did not have enough experience in market research related to planning for a new and start-up entrepreneurship business. Secondly, every team member had strength in one particular sector, wherein other sectors had limitations. Thirdly, the team member did not feel confident when they were planning for proposed the new and start-up business, Peace & Fashion, because of their immigration issues including visa, work and business restrictions. Lack of communication among team members was a weakness of this teamwork. Because of limitations in computer technology and writing skills, team member could not provide their task on time.

The difficulties I have faced

As the team leader, I face a number of difficulties in managing the team. First, it was difficult to convince all the team members and reduce conflict among the team members. This is because different team members provided a different opinions, which created mixed ideas making conflict. Second, it was difficult to arrange team meetings and monitor the performance of team members. This is because every team member was business with their personal businesses. Third, the team faced difficulties to fulfil the coursework requirements according to the tutor feedback and guidelines. Thus, a number of times the structure of the work was needed to changes and sought tutors feedback several times.

How I have addressed these difficulties

To overcome the difficulties faced in the teamwork, I was a team leader who followed Kolb’s learning style model. Following this model, first I have applied my own experiences to manage the team members and conflicts created among them. Then,  I observed the activities given to the team members and their performance based on my current and previous experiences. Third, I concluded the learning and the proposed business plan according to the tutor’s suggestions and the experience gained through this course. Finally, I have developed the business plan-based conceptualization and experience gained through this teamwork.

My contribution

As a team leader, I have contributed a lot to this teamwork. Before starting and allocating the teamwork I have identified the strengths and weaknesses of the team members. Then, I allocated the tasks and roles for every team member. Following this, I called for meetings and discussions and monitored and evaluated every team member’s activities and tasks given from time to time. Whenever any issue or conflict was raised among the team member I was quiet and cool, and took effective decisions and convinced them. In my teamwork, my responsibility was to conduct a feasibility study on the proposed business including its market analysis, industry analysis, customer and supplier analysis, competitors and business environment analyses. I completed my task successfully on time and gave a fruitful outcome to my team member. It can also be disclosed that the idea about the proposed business came from my mind and then my team member agreed with me. Finally, the progression of the tasks come from every team member was approved by the tutor.

What have I learned from this teamwork?

I have learned a lot from this teamwork. First, it has extended my research knowledge and understanding, mainly on the development of new ideas and a new and start-up entrepreneurship business. Second, this teamwork has developed my interpersonal skills including team management skills, decision making and problem-solving skills, innovation and creativity skills, time management skills, and technical skills. Finally, this teamwork has developed my understanding of how to do a business plan.

Conclusion

In this team, I worked as a team leader and investigator. I mainly conducted a feasibility study on the proposed business, Peace & Fashion. In addition, I managed the team and the functions of team members. There were several strengths of the team member including long-time experiences in business operations. However, team members had some limitations including the immigration issues such as visa and business restrictions. A number of challenges including conflict among team members and satisfying the tutor. As a team leader, I applied Kolb’s learning style theory to overcome the challenges faced in the teamwork, where I focused on previous experiences, observation, conclusion, and implementation. Then, I contributed a lot including managing the conflict between team members, providing new ideas, managing the performance of the team members, and fulfilling the course requirements. Finally, I have learned a lot from this group coursework, which has developed my both academic and interpersonal skills.

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