Social Support Helps People Grow - Essay Example

Running Head: REFLECTIVE EASY Reflective Easy Name Institution Introduction My contribution to my group was analysing the difference between leadership and mananagment. My contribution was basically to bring out a clear picture of the differences that exist between the two concepts. After undertaking an in-depth research an integrating the contributions of my fellow group members I was able to come up with a comparative analysis that was basically much more clear and easy to understand. The essence of group work is basically to accomplish a certain task through problem solving. Our group was concerned with the evaluation of the aspects of leadership, power and empowerment, each individual was given a concept to evaluate and later we discussed the findings of each one and made contributions. My experiences within the group work setup are supported by literature based on Group dynamics which basically evaluates the behaviour of people in a group was evidently proven by my experience in the group. The following presentation will cover my reflective experience within the group context. Furthermore the presentation will analyze my group member’s communication during the presentation and delivery of the presentation. The main aim of the easy is to analyze the events that went successfully in our group and the failures we experienced. In addition the presentation will give recommendations of how we as a group can learn from experience and apply the skill learned from the group Interaction experience into the real business communication process. Interpersonal and group process within my group The aspect team work was one of the essential positive attributes that was present in my group. Each individual was ready to work with the other in order to come up with a good presentation. Each individual was ready to cooperate and bring their view points.There was high level of cohesion in my group which was very useful. The aspect of cohesion contributed greatly to how we related within the group, for instance the group members were willing to freely express their feelings, I could see that every member was confident and was willing to be responsible for any particular task. I came to a realization that team work is very essential within the context o within the business communication process it is vital for each stakeholder of the organization be effectively involved in the communication process in order to build team spirit which is very much essential for a business (Foegen,1999,46). Another positive attribute that I noticed in my group was the communication process. Each group member was willing to listen to the other individuals view point in addition, we could freely communicate our ideas. I could see each person trying to bring out how important they were in the group by tying to make their contributions known to others. At this particular point the group begun to be self sustained, each person was comfortable in trying to reveal their personality openly through the way they communicated while presenting their view points. I did not witness any passive group member who just listened to the contributions of other group members without making their own contributions. I learnt that the communication process requires a free environment were people can freely relate and bring their ideas without any sort of barriers such as people not listening and an environment that is not free for effective communication (Irvin, 1985, 195). Conflict resolution in case of difference in opinion was also effectively tackled by my group members. I could see people begin to formulate ways of resolving conflict in case a difference in opinion arose. The group leader was also very much useful in resolving conflicts that arose during the discussion of the concepts. Conflict is an essential part consensus building on contentious issues, in the same sense I could see group members argue over difference in opinion however they finally got into an agreement. From this particular experience I came to realization that conflict has to occur within the group context however it essential to formulate effective strategies of solving the conflict before it disrupts the main objective of the group (Ewert & Heywood, 1991, 594) The negative experience was that during the communication process, I noticed that in despite of the fact that every group member contributed their view points once in a while , there was still the aspect of participants taking up the dominate style or role. There were individuals in the group who tended to take a more active role as opposed to their opponents. I do believe that it is essential that each individual has to make their contributions known, however I believe that it is vital for each person should actually limit their level of contribution majorly to enhance equal participation of every group member. Dominancy was sometimes majorly contributed by the male counterparts tying to develop their hierarchy over the female counterparts in term of participation. I learnt that the within the communication process, it is vital to have each members level participation be equal this because dominance of particular individuals may result to other members withdrawing their opinions, which may be otherwise essential for the group (Neill, 2002,33). My proposal to the next discussion is that I would like that the participants who were actually too dominate in the group to not take a very dominant role in order to enhance equal participation. Reflection on the group process for developing the presentation The presentation by members of my group was successful in my opinion. This is because the discussion enabled each member to be well equipped with facts to be presented before the class audience. In most cases I did not witness any group member fumbling around with the ideas to be presented, not knowing what to say next. I therefore learnt that as highlighted by the strategies of effective presentation, it is vital to for an individual who is planning a presentation to be well prepared before the presentation, in order to deliver a good presentation (Berovic, 2009, 24). Confidence is another essential aspect that I noticed among the group members during the presentation. In despite of the fact that only a few individuals seemed a little shy, a large percentage of the group however seemed very much confident. From the aspect of confidence among my group I learnt that confidence was useful during presentations in order to make the audience understand what the presenter is saying. If an individual does not seem confident enough, the audience will not focus on what one is communicating but rather they will just evaluate his or her lack of confidence (Peck, 1987, 100). The aspect of engaging the audience in the discussion was however vey minimal in our group. Not many of the group members asked any questions to the audience. I learnt that if the audience is fully engaged in the discussion to some extent they would become passive and some may even switch off and not listen at all, therefore strategies such as questions and asking the audience to demonstrate some facts are very much useful during a presentation. The presenters in my group had good eye contact; none delivered the presentation while looking on the floor or the cards, this is because each one was familiar with the audience and there was actually no need for being shy and always looking on the floor or the walls while presenting. I learnt that eye contact was vital in order to enable the audience believe what is being presented to them, the audience are much more confident with a presenter who maintains eye contact (Berovic, 2009, 24). Most of the group members also concluded their presentation effectively, however they did not come up with something interesting ant that would make the audience know that they have finished the presentation. I learnt that it is essential for a presenter to find strategies of making the audience know that you ending the discussion (Daniel, 2001, 363). Improvement of the group Process In my opinion I actually think that our group was outstanding especially on the delivery of good points that basically met the objectives of our discussion at least we managed to get down to business at meet the objectives of our gathering. However it is essential that we should improve in the group development process through improving our communication skill through changing aspects such as gender dominance in terms of contributions. In addition it is vital that disagreements of opinions should actually not be personalized, this will enable the development of a free environment whereby one gives their opinion even when contrary to the view points of other. The aspect of space tolerance during the communication process is also very much essential. I believe that one should be given a chance to give their opinions even when it differs with the others or even when the opinion is wrong. The aspect of interrupting an individual when he or she is presenting their opinion bridges the essential aspect of space tolerance (Dobbin & Pettman, 1997, 550). Conclusion Group work is a fundamental aspect that enable individuals enhance their communication and interaction skills. It is therefore essential that group dynamics which entails the behavior of individuals within group be developed on basis of good communication skills (Peck, 1987, 133). References Berovic, J. (2009). How to Do a Presentation - Tips That Can Help You Win. EzineArticles, p 24 Daniel L. (2001) .Group dynamics for teams. Sage .pg 362-363. Dobbins, R. & Pettman ,B. (1997). Self-development: the nine basic skills for business success, Journal of Management, 16(8), 521-667. Ewert, A., & Heywood, J. (1991). Group development in the natural environment: Expectations, outcomes, and techniques.  Environment and Behavior, 23, 592-615 Foegen, J.H. (1999). Why not empowerment. Business and Economic Review, 45, 31 Irvin , D.(1985), The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, third edition, Basic Books hardback, Page 194 to 196, Peck, M. S. (1987) The Different Drum: Community-Making and Peace.p. 95-103 Neill, J. T. (2002). Social support helps people grow. Horizons, 17(Spring), 32-34 . Read More