Group Work

The group work was a great opportunity to meet peers and work on interpersonal skillset, opportunity to experience and work on delegation of tasks and associated sharing efforts; plus manage unexpected outcomes.¹

We recognised that English as a second language could challenge communication, so we ensured written and verbal methods were clear and concise.¹

In a team environment, all members should take on various roles, including coordinator and resource investigator. Leadership comes naturally to me, so I hoped a less experienced member would lead this project as discussed initially. I encouraged those struggling to contribute to add value. Ultimately, it was agreed that my leadership strengths were necessary, returning me to the “driver’s seat” with responsibilities like arranging meetings, following up on deadlines, and managing the project platform.

Various communication styles were adapted depending on the context. One-way communication was employed to guide the team through cloud document sharing of agendas and meeting minutes, facilitating task focus. Two-way communication via WhatsApp was also used to share ideas. My group assignment experience showed that challenges can arise even with one-way methods if peers are unwilling to engage in timely two-way communication, which ultimately impacted the project’s final presentation outcome.

In future team work, I will implement one-way communication methods and adhere to the group agreement more closely by speaking up to the demonstrator when responsibilities are not followed, to prevent further challenges.

References

¹Jones, A, Reed, R, & Wyers, J 2022, Practical Skills in Biology, 7th edn, Pearson, Australia.

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