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The second concept from this course that I really challenged myself
with was simply my participation in a virtual team. Thompson (2011)
defines a virtual team as, a task-focused group that meets without all
members necessarily being physically present or even working at the same
time (p. 332). In reflecting on my past experiences, I am not sure Ive ever
been on a truly virtual team. Sure I have been on teams with colleagues from
various institutions across Nebraska, but each of those teams involved faceto-face meetings as well. Concepts from Chapter 13 on Teamwork via
Information Technology in Thompsons (2011) text, Making the Team: A
Guide for Managers, that I really attempted to focus on were the challenges
of virtual teams: increased time to make decisions, communication struggles,
and social norms. I worked diligently to be a good communicator, even if it
meant a simple post to acknowledge that I had seen and read a teammates
comments or making a post to determine the next steps for our team. As
mentioned earlier, I tried to lay down a course of action to make decisions,
so as not to be stalled within continuous back and forth postings. I also
helped our team identify important team norms early on in our
communication to ensure we all understood each others needs and
expectations for our group. I was pleasantly surprised with what just a small
bit of attention to these three challenges of virtual teams did for my and my
teams overall function as a virtual team.
One of the biggest insights I have gained about myself in team
interactions is that constant need to be in control. While Im sure I knew I
was doing it in the past, it was honestly just something that subconsciously
happened. Again, I often dont think leaders know they are being leaders or
even what it is about themselves that makes them a good leader. What
intrigued me most in this particular team experience is just how okay I was
not jumping to be the leader. Although I believe we each had moments of
leadership within the team, it actually felt good to share that leader role with
others and I think I was a more productive team member because of it. I, of
course, acknowledge my innate ability to look at most situations
pessimistically; however, this course has brought insight into how wrong I
can be about group work. I am hoping this will enable me to enter group
situations with a more positive outlook on team interactions, individual
responsibilities, and overall productiveness. The last bit of insight I gained
about myself in team roles is that I often come in with guns a-blazing. I am
eager and often overcommit myself. In moving forward, I think it will be
important in future teams that I ease in to my role and commitments, giving
consideration to the reality of what I am balancing at the present time and
what I may be able to accomplish for myself and team.
A few insights I have gathered about working with people in teams is
our dislike, or almost fear, of teamwork and what that fear is most often
about. While I believe most of us would call ourselves good team members,
we are often not fans of working in teams. I believe a huge part of the
undesirableness of teamwork is the fear of social loafers or free riders. No
one likes to be brought down or be force to rise up to accommodate those
who arent contributing, especially when the outcome (grade, raise, success)
is going to be shared amongst all team members. While these situations are
all too common in teams, its important not to assume that every team will
be this way. Bringing a positive attitude into teamwork surely wont hurt
anything.
I was pleasantly surprised with my team experience in this course.
Matthew Smoot and Charles Lindberg truthfully set the bar extremely high
for my future teammates. These gentlemen were two of the most committed,
dedicated, responsible teammates Ive ever had. They help remind me that
not every team member will be bad and those that are will remind us of the
teammate we dont want to be. I enjoyed working with these two, I enjoyed
creating a chapter on conflict in teams, and I thoroughly enjoyed our class
textbook and discussions. I feel in my current role, as middle manager of a 5
person team, my understanding of leadership in teams is improved. I have
gained a lot of new knowledge and skills, as well as a new, and positive,
team experience to bring to my work team and role as leader.