During the Team Building and Conflict Resolution course, you have spent as much time in your teams as you have in the classroom with the instructor.  While we hope that the classroom time has been well spent in terms of learning content, we are just as focused on the learning of process.  The time spent in your team groups has been the learning laboratory for process.

QUESTION

The Experiential-Reflective Essay

For

 MGT476 Team Building and Conflict Resolution

Completing any management course is a valuable learning experience in itself.  Completing a course that is highly experiential in nature can be even more valuable if it includes a reflective learning component.  Hence, the purpose of this assignment.

During the Team Building and Conflict Resolution course, you have spent as much time in your teams as you have in the classroom with the instructor.  While we hope that the classroom time has been well spent in terms of learning content, we are just as focused on the learning of process.  The time spent in your team groups has been the learning laboratory for process.

The structure of this reflective learning essay is based on David Kolb’s theory of adult learning, which states that a complete learning experience emerges from a four-stage cycle.  The first stage is the experience itself, in this case, the work you completed during your internship.  The second stage of learning occurs when you reflect on the experiences, or process them, and begin to record the observations you made about the experience.  The Kolb model pushes the learning even further into two more stages.  In the third stage of Kolb’s model, we generalize our learning by formulating “principles” that can be applied to other situations similar to the ones we have just experienced.  For example, “Strategic selection should include a review of the Human Resource Plan” might be a principle we could extract from an internship.  The final stage is focused on applying the principles to future situations.

With this model in mind, your Experiential-Reflective Essay should follow the outline below.  You may want to review the narrowly focused reflective essays you wrote as the course unfolded before outlining part one of the essay.

Introduction:  A brief introduction that previews the content of your paper.

Part One:  A recounting of the highlights/lowlights or critical incidents during the MGT476 semester.  Select three to five junctures of the course that you feel were most helpful to your learning about teams.  Briefly describe each as they happened and your reactions “in the moment.”  In other words, report on them as a journalist would but add your “gut reactions.” This section should be written in the past tense.

Part Two:  This section should be written in the present tense.  It should include the reflections and reactions you had to the critical events in the internship right after they happened or now that some time has passed.  You should be asking yourself if they feel different to you looking at them “in the rear view mirror” as opposed to in the moment

Part Three:  This section should be written in the present tense and should be the most substantive in terms of the learning you are taking away from the internship.  It should also include specific linkages to theory and concepts you learned in the classroom.  For example, you might include a reference to Dyer and Dyer, MBTI, FIRO-B Conflict Dynamics or other models we explored in class.  Finally, it should demonstrate how you have connected “theory to practice” with regard to working on teams.

Part Four:  This section focuses on the future, although you can write it in the present tense.  It should outline how you anticipate using the learning you gained during the course in the future.  This might include future jobs, graduate school, or any other setting where you feel the learning applies.

Summary and conclusion:  This final section should weave all four parts together into one whole, integrated unit.

Your paper will likely approach 8-10 pages not including the title page and references page.  Please use one-inch margins all around, double space, 12 point font.  Be sure to edit your paper before submitting as poor grammar and syntax detract from the value of the paper.

I will ask you to share the content of your essay to the degree that you are comfortable during our final exam period.  In other words, you must say something but don’t have to disclose everything.

Let me know if you have questions or need for clarification.

Professor John Poirier

ANSWER

Reflecting on Team Building and Conflict Resolution: An Experiential Journey

Introduction

This reflective essay delves into my transformative experience during the MGT476 Team Building and Conflict Resolution course. By applying David Kolb’s theory of adult learning, this essay captures the essence of my journey, highlighting critical incidents, personal reflections, theoretical connections, and future applications. Through this process, I aim to demonstrate the profound impact this course has had on my understanding of effective teamwork and conflict resolution.

Part One: Highlights and Critical Incidents

During the MGT476 semester, several key moments profoundly influenced my learning about teams. The following three junctures stand out as particularly impactful:

Team Formation Exercise

During the initial stages of the course, our team underwent a team formation exercise. As we worked together to establish our group norms and define roles, I experienced a mix of excitement and uncertainty (Lumen Learning, n.d.). It was a highlight because it allowed us to lay the foundation for effective collaboration, but also a lowlight as we navigated through disagreements and power struggles.

Conflict Resolution Simulation

Engaging in a conflict resolution simulation provided a realistic scenario where we faced interpersonal conflicts within our team. In the moment, I felt a sense of frustration and tension. It was challenging to communicate and find common ground. However, this critical incident served as a wake-up call, highlighting the importance of open dialogue, active listening, and empathy in conflict resolution.

Team Project Completion

The successful completion of our team project marked a significant milestone in our journey. This juncture was filled with a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and camaraderie. We overcame challenges, leveraged our diverse strengths, and achieved a shared goal. It reinforced the value of effective teamwork, effective communication, and synergy in achieving collective success.

Part Two: Reflections and Reactions

Reflecting on these critical incidents from the present perspective, I realize the profound transformation I underwent as a team member (Yang, 2019). The team formation exercise, initially met with uncertainty, taught me the importance of establishing a strong foundation built on trust, respect, and shared goals. The conflict resolution simulation, once a source of frustration, opened my eyes to the significance of active listening, empathy, and finding win-win solutions. Furthermore, the completion of our team project instilled in me the belief that collaboration, effective delegation, and synergy can lead to outstanding results.

Part Three: Learning and Theoretical Connections

Drawing upon the lessons learned in the MGT476 course, I have gained valuable insights into the theory and concepts of team building and conflict resolution. The theories of Dyer and Dyer have deepened my understanding of team dynamics, emphasizing the significance of diverse skill sets and effective leadership. Additionally, the MBTI model has shed light on individual differences, fostering empathy and adaptability within our team. Exploring FIRO-B Conflict Dynamics has enabled me to comprehend the underlying needs and motivations that drive conflicts and find appropriate solutions. By connecting theory to practice, I have developed a holistic understanding of the complexities involved in teamwork.

Part Four: Future Applications

The knowledge and skills acquired throughout this course hold immense value for my future endeavors. Whether in future job roles, graduate school, or any other setting, I anticipate leveraging my learning to enhance team performance and effectively resolve conflicts (Herrity, 2023). By implementing the principles of effective team selection, clear communication, and conflict resolution strategies, I aspire to create harmonious and high-performing teams. Furthermore, I will actively seek opportunities to continuously develop my teamwork and conflict resolution abilities, recognizing their relevance in diverse professional environments.

Summary and Conclusion

In conclusion, the MGT476 Team Building and Conflict Resolution course has been a transformative journey, shaping my understanding of effective teamwork and conflict resolution. Through critical incidents, personal reflections, theoretical connections, and future applications, I have gained valuable insights into the intricacies of collaborative work. This reflective essay serves as a testament to the impact of experiential learning, where classroom teachings were applied and solidified through real-world experiences. As I move forward, I am confident in my ability to navigate the challenges of team dynamics and conflict resolution, armed with the knowledge and skills gained from this enriching course.

References

Herrity, J. (2023). How to Develop Your Skill Set to Advance Your Career. Indeed.com. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-develop-your-skill-set 

Lumen Learning. (n.d.). The Five Stages of Team Development | Principles of Management. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-principlesmanagement/chapter/reading-the-five-stages-of-team-development/ 

Yang, H. (2019). A critical reflection on improving effective team communication. Frontiers of Nursing, 6(1), 13–18. https://doi.org/10.2478/fon-2019-0004