Blog Assignment 7 -- Reflections on the MIdterm -- Due April 17

Please refelct on your midtermm assignment and its presentation.  Find an article on group dynamics that roughly approximates what your experience was, and answer the following questions:

http://www.smallgroups.com/articles/2011/groupdynamics.html

1.  In your group were there people who did more than their fair share, and those who did less?  How did that affect your group's performance?  Where would you put your own contribution, among the most or among the least?  On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, please rate your performance compared to the others in the group (5 would be the average contributor).

I feel like their were people who did less than their share, solely because they did not have anything else to say, or anything that was relevant. The groups performance overall was not what I expected due to having two people absent on the presentation day. I feel like I contributed a huge amount to this project, but also comparative to a few of the other people; as in we took the majority of the work. My scaled performance compared to others in the group would be a 9 in my opinion.

2.  If you could, would you remove a member from your group at this point?  If you could add someone, what would be his or her characteristics that would add to the ability of your group to do its job?  No need to name names.

I would not add anyone to the group nor would I take someone out; even though the group tends to disagree I do enjoy hearing the different opinions that are offered during our discussions and decision making processes.

3.  How important were basic workplace rules in your group?  Rate on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, how important the were the following:

A.  Showing up  10
B.  Doing your fair share 8
C.  Being on time 10
D.  Responding timely to email and communicating effectively with other members 9
E.  Handling conflict among group members  8
F.  Being present in the group -- not distracted by outside cell phone calls or text messages when the group is meeting. 10

4.  Please come up with Five Rules for Having an Effective Group.

1. Communication
2. Know when to say what's on your mind verses inappropriate times to speak
3. Make sure that you are prepared to do your best and help other's do theirs
4. Think of the group; help when needed and offer criticism when needed
5.  Do not rely too heavily on the group; make sure you are knowledgable in all aspects of the work in case someone else isn't ready with their required "area" of focus