Learning and Development - Essay Example

Running Head: ​​Individual Reflection Report ​​Individual Reflection Report Name School / University Professor Date Table of Contents Introduction 3 Learning and Development 3 Successes/Failures 5 Evaluative Account 6 Action Plan 7 Introduction This is a fine moment to give thanks and praise to the participation of the team members. They have provided such quality contribution that not only made this study a meaningful and constructive occurrence; it is a source of pride that something good has been achieved through collective effort. The whole process was a highly educational and inspiring experience. While pondering on the task, the initial contemplative stir that got to mind was: why am I doing this project, which was quickly compounded by that much used analytical/inquiring phrase, what is it all about? As research is about generating questions and this being about the self, it did not take long before the questions became introspective, e.g., how does this study equate with my own self-actualization and projection? It would be tough to apply brakes to a mind that is in the curious process of probing, conceptualizing, and concocting different approaches on issues. Learning and Development As intended by the activity, the project fostered professional development, including soft skills. In particular, communications skills were developed aside from teamwork. Since communication among team members were done using the school's online portal, it was important for each one of us to learn the intricacies of articulating one's thoughts and ideas into written words so that others may understand what a person is driving at. This process has led me to carefully review my postings so that I would not be misunderstood or taken out of context. I came to appreciate how well; written communication skills can play a part in accomplishing a project (Pappas 2005, p. 62). The whole project was filled with numerous learning opportunities that helped me to reflect on the theoretical knowledge I have. Several topics left a lasting impression on me due to their uniqueness and their relevance to my area of study. One of the most memorable topics is that of marketing mix. When working on a business proposal, it is necessary to plan, organize, and manage time, which are all part of project (Reh 2010). In a way, this encourages the development of leadership skills not only among those who are chosen to lead the groups but also among the members. Some members could find themselves with skills and characteristics ideally found in leaders (Fretty 2006, p. 38). Pappas (2005) states that most project management trainings focus on cost and schedule, which is not ideal because they do not give importance to analysis and risk management. In our team, there were brainstorming sessions to allow each one to contribute his or her ideas. This was a good opportunity for each person to comment on the work of others while getting feedback for his own part. It was agreed that criticisms should be constructive and helpful. It was also important for us to help our leader in coming up with a plan. Even if that person has chosen to spearhead the project, it did not mean that he was to be left on his own to plan and organize. This project this meant putting aside other priorities in order to accomplish the tasks to each individual. In my case, I had to finish my various parts in the assignment on schedule because other team members were dependent on my output. This instilled in me the importance of responsibility in a team. If a team member fails to be responsible, other processes can be jeopardized. There were instances when some team members were unable to complete their tasks on time. This placed others in a difficult situation. Usually, this can lead to tension and some exchanges of words. While tension is unavoidable when working on a deadline, the best way to approach a problem is to discuss it. The team showed professionalism by identifying hurdles and what others can do to solve them. This approach prevented conflict from escalating and ensuring that the project was completed as scheduled. Personally, I would want learning and development to come in two ways: one-on-one basis and group work. One-on-one interaction means that I could get acquire in-depth learning that I may not otherwise have in a large class. Group work will provide me with the opportunity to enhance my interpersonal and communication skills, which are both necessary in promoting personal and professional growth. There are difficulties associated to working in a team but these can be overcome when members respect and listen to each other's ideas. Combining these two types of learning will provide the most benefit to learners. All this newfound knowledge will not be lost and will be put to good use, as it is a potent tool, not just for business and sports, but also in many human pursuits. Furthermore, this study has been an excellent exercise in metacognition. Successes/Failures During the project experienced a failure early in the process. It can be considered a failure on the team's part not to contribute as much as possible to the planning process. We failed to understand right away that planning was not to be the leader's sole responsibility. This resulted to some delays and confusions. As a team, we should have been more enthusiastic in contributing ideas. We were, however, able to realize this after a few meetings and after our group leader called our attention. For my part, I was caught up in other things that it made me delegate all of the planning activities to the rest of the team. I was confident that they would manage even if my input were minimal. As a result, I was assigned a topic that was not exactly what I wanted to handle. Nevertheless, since I failed to provide my feedback in time, I had to make the most of what I was given. The result could be considered a success because despite my limitations in that particular topic, I was able to overcome them and produce an output that was satisfactory to my teammates. I consider it a personal failure that I was not able to interact as much as possible with other team members. My feedback could have been useful to other team members who were having difficulties with their topics. I felt that I could have given more in return. Overall, the completion of the final project was a success in itself because it showed that all hurdles could be overcome with proper communication, good planning, and adherence to goals set by the team. Even if there were many problems along the way, the final output was still good and everyone developed a bond because of the team's efforts. The team was also successful in fostering cooperation and developing people's ability to critically analyze inputs from others. Successes and failures are part of any undertakings no matter which part of life they happen. The more important thing is that those experiences provide lessons and learning that contribute to the personal and individual growth of the people involved. Evaluative Account The close inter-colleague relationship that I have established has enabled me to seek for immediate help at handling certain challenging issues. Being close to all my classmates has also helped in the formation of teams since we are all aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The work setting has enabled me to apply the theories I learned in my year1, two, and three. I am now able to write a business proposal through the experience I acquired during my period. On a final note, I have taken this assignment as a good example of discovering facts about myself and on various things that I do. The assignment has opened a door for me that I can use to expand my knowledge and understanding. The explorations which I will eventually undertake in the future do not have to be in-depth but instead can be simple such as assessing my capabilities, determining my response to different situations, and generally just arrive at facts. This preliminary exploration may serve as a model for future ones and I can use my own ideas to refine the method and apply it to different situations and settings. Lastly and most importantly, I have learned that learning does not necessarily have to be restricted in pedagogical settings. To a person who possesses the ability to think independently, such explorations can be used as an advantage in educating oneself in an individual and intrapersonal manner. Action Plan Considering all of the learning, development, and failures I have committed during the completion of the team project, I would identify a certain course of action that would lead me to success in the future. The strengths I have discovered include communication skills, humility, and having focus. Good communication skills has helped me overcome barriers in dealing with other members; humility allowed me to accept when I was wrong, as well as, take positively the comments given by others concerning my work; focus helped me complete my part of the project on time. I plan to further develop these skills by completing my degree and getting involved in seminars or lectures related to these qualities. In terms of weaknesses, I found that I have a lot of room for improvement when it comes to leadership. Although there is a desire in me to become the ideal leader of the future, I understand that this takes work. In order to achieve this goal, I would have to enhance my learning in this aspect. There are many literatures available on how to become a good leader. I would also have to take part that is more active in every group project because this is a way to enhance leadership skills. If possible, I would volunteer to take the lead role in future projects so that I will have the opportunity to practice knowledge obtained from class. Becoming a leader in its truest form requires me to exercise due care. I believe I would experience failures in the future but I will remember the lessons learned from them. Finally, becoming the kind of leader that I want to become in the future means that I need to fully understand team dynamics and how they affect final output. References Chowdhury, S, Endres, M, & Lanis, TW. 2002. Preparing students for success in team work environments: The importance of building confidence. Journal of Managerial Issues, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 346-355. Fretty, P. 2006 Project management. PM Network, vol. 20, no. 7, p. 38. Gilley, JW, & Maycunich, A. 2000. Beyond the learning organization: Creating a continuous growth and development through state-of-the-art human resource practices. Cambridge, MA: Peruses Publishing. Hughes, TB. 2008. What is teamwork and why it is important to your organization. Ezine Articles. Available from http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-Team-Work-and-Why-is-it-Important-to-Your-Organization&id=1693070 [Accessed 7 October 2014] Pappas, L. 2005. The state of project management training. PM Network, vol. 19, no. 8, p. 61 Reh, FJ. 2010 .Project management 101. About.com: Management. Available from [Accessed 7 October 2014] Read More