Week Four Reflections

Learning Team Weekly Reflections

Week Four

Learning Team A

LDR /531

April 9, 2012

Professor Charles Levan

Learning Team Weekly Reflections

Organizations rely on teamwork and collaboration to accomplish their goals and objectives. However, individuals, which comprise teams, bring a wealth of diversity to their respective group. There are differences in communication styles and approaches. There are also differences that create conflict. Managers and leaders must embrace team diversity and use conflict to as a vehicle for greater success. The following reflections outline the team’s thoughts for week three.

Topics members felt comfortable with

Week three’s topics were vital elements in Organizational Leadership. The discussion focused mainly on teams and the components, which help make them effectives. One topic centered on how one member would modify his or her communication style to accommodate a team member. Most teams are composed of diverse members. Each member has a different approach to communication and thus has a different style. Within an organization, team collaboration is vital to successful outcomes. In some cases, members must find alternative approaches when communicating with one another. For example, certain member may prefer face-to-face communication; although technologies, such as the Internet or text messaging. The team agreed that it is possible for a member to adjust his or her style to accommodate that of another member.

Another discussion topic for week three was how conflict can benefit an organization and groups. The team discussed how conflict is unavoidable. On a team, conflict can often be mistaken for competition among competing forces. However, conflict can foster resolution, when its’ handled properly. Conflict can be used bring out the best within individuals by giving birth to creativity, increased team effectiveness, and produce a higher quality product. Managing a team takes skill and...