Use Gibbs’ model to analyse the reflective account
Evidence Description
In this section, you need to explain what you are reflecting on to your reader. Perhaps include
background information, such as what it is you’re reflecting on and tell the reader who was involved. It’s
important to remember to keep the information provided relevant and to-the-point. Don’t waffle on about
details that aren’t required – if you do this, you’re just using up valuable words that you’ll get minimal
marks for.
Evidence of Feelings
Discuss your feelings and thoughts about the experience. Consider questions such as: How did you feel
at the time? What did you think at the time? What did you think about the incident afterwards? You can
discuss your emotions honestly, but make sure to remember at all times that this is an academic piece of
writing, so avoid ‘chatty’ text.
Evidence of EvaluationFor your evaluation, discuss how well you think things went. Perhaps think about: How did you react to
the situation, and how did other people react? What was good and what was bad about the experience?
If you are writing about a difficult incident, did you feel that the situation was resolved afterwards?
Why/why not? This section is a good place to include evidence (appendices)–
Evidence of AnalysisIn your analysis, consider what might have helped or hindered the event. You also have the opportunity
here to compare your experience with evidence. This section is very important, particularly for higherlevel writing. Many students receive poor marks for reflective assignments for not integrating your
appendices. Remember it is important to include citations to your appendices in your reflective writing.
Evidence of ConclusionIn your conclusion, it is important to acknowledge whether you could have done anything else; what you
have learned from the experience; consider whether you could you have responded in a different way. If
you are talking about a positive experience…discuss whether you would do the same again to ensure a
positive outcome. Also, consider if there is anything you could change to improve things even further. If
the incident was negative…tell your reader how you could have avoided it happening and how you could
make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Evidence of an Action PlanAction plans sum up anything you need to know and do to improve for next time. Be specific. Perhaps
you feel that you need to learn about something or attend some training. What can you do which means
you will be better equipped to cope with a similar event?
INTRODUCTION
Working in groups or teamwork has become a key task that is essential to solve and overcome
problems whether it be on a personal level or at the workplace. Teamwork has time and again been
highlighted as one of the levels for success of any group endeavor and therefore the ability to work
effectively in a group is highly necessary and essential at all levels (Belbin, 2012). At the same
time, making sense of reflecting upon any incident or past experience is also a necessary capability
that is required for professionals if they are to successfully develop the skills that enhance future
performance. Reflection provides the opportunity to gain insights from previous experiences
through consideration of multiple perspectives from individuals as well as theory (Ryan, 2011).
This essay focuses on my personal reflection of my experience with group work and my role as a
team player. I am using Gibbs model for my reflection.
(A) DESCRIPTION
During the first week of the ‘Management in Practices’ study module, the students were given a
group activity to complete in class. The task required students to form teams of three members
each with the central task being a negotiation skills exercise. The central task required each of the
groups to negotiate with each other to receive a substantial portion of a charitable donation. My
role in the aforementioned teamwork can be described as that of a ‘team worker’, which according
to Belbin’s framework includes qualities such as being cooperative, listening and building upon
ideas avoiding friction and conflict (Boller, 2005).
(B) FEELINGS
Right at the start of the activity, I felt anxious and apprehensive, due to some of the previous
negative experiences that I had during team working exercises. Additionally, I felt shy and rather
conscious of myself as I began to introduce myself to my fellow team members. This behavior
illustrates that I am an introvert as well as a reserved person who prefers minimal interaction with
new people (Cottrell, 2015). At the time, I felt that the working would be a significantly
challenging task since it is a rather challenging task to know and understand ability and capacity
of all members in the group (Ryan, 2011). Nonetheless, as the initial interactions proceeded my
feelings they change as most of the team members were welcoming and friendly which made me
feel at ease and comfortable. At this stage, I thought that the team will exercise would be simple
and easy given positive and courteous each of the members were. However, the subsequent
occurrences, during the stages of executing the team task, my interactions with the team were not
so positive.
(C) EVALUATION
At the beginning, the point that pleased me or interested me was the positive and cooperative
stance that most of the group members adopted towards each other. Boller (2005) asserts that group
cooperation is at the very foundation of the work success since it involves collaboration and
support towards the team objective. Furthermore, during the initial phases the team members were
welcoming and encouraged me to discuss and give my opinion on every aspect of the task. I felt it
was highly important that members such as myself who are apprehensive teamwork are given
initial welcome and support.
Nonetheless, I noticed one of the team member adopting a negative and conflict-based style and
approach to the task. This member kept on interrupting each of the members during the course of
their discussion which resulted in the disruption of our team’s progress towards the goal. At this
point, I began to feel nervous and unhappy with the entire group and team activity, but still I did
not express myself or attempt to reason with the group member to avoid such conduct. Failure on
my part to speak up illustrates my weakness of worrying too much about what others think or how
they will react to any criticism provided by me (Cottrell, 2015). At this point, I also realized that I
was afraid of retaliation from the group member and therefore chose to keep white rather than
speak up. However, I did realize that such negative and contentious personality would disrupt
group initiatives and activities. Belbin (2012) writes that "Team performance is influenced by the
type of people in a group, and tests indicate that some combinations of personality types perform
better than the others".
Furthermore, the central problem or difficulty emerged at the time of execution of the teamwork
task. In particular, at the time of execution and discussing with other teams, none of my team
members spoke up and left the entire negotiation task to be done by me. At this point I experienced
feelings and thoughts that include betrayer, irritation, frustration and so on. Importantly, after
having carefully rehearsed and come up with the different points that each member would speak
in favor of our team, the other members backed out and remain quiet while our group was being
attacked by the other groups. Despite losing team support, I tried to speak out and negotiate with
the other groups and tried to recite some of the key points and arguments that the team had initially
come up with. I kept looking towards my fellow team members hoping that they would contribute
to the discussion, but to no avail. These events made me lose my self-confidence and eventually I
too gave up. At this point, I felt deeply hurt and pain by the entire experience given that the ultimate
result of our group initiative was a failure. I felt that I certainly needed to work on skills of being
assertive as well as communication.
(D) ANALYSIS
Having reflected upon the good and bad experiences during the teamwork task, I now feel that
there is significant scope for improvement specifically me as well as in general regarding our group
effort. First, I have realized that I feel nervous of expressing my views to others because I feel that
they may laugh at my views or opinions. Second, I realized that I did not speak up against the
member who adopted a contentious style of behavior nor did I try to convince my group were
contributed during the team task execution because I was afraid of retaliation from them. Third,
our team activities failed because of lack of planning, ineffective communication and lack of
practice. Koprowska (2014) illustrates that robust practice is necessary for excellence in execution
of team tasks, and this is where I feel we failed the most.
Furthermore, the entire experience also made me realize the importance of presentation skills.
Evidently, when faced with a large group of people I tend to lose focus and confidence, which
probably explains why was not able to reply back to the other teams when they adopted an
attacking stance. Likewise, improving my skills of being assertive would be necessary to succeed
in future teamwork tasks where I may have to convince others on my point of view. Stacey (2009)
highlights that being assertive helps in achieving a state of self-confidence without involving any
kind of aggressiveness which would indicate that I would be able to put forward my views and
experiences without having to upset any of the team or group members.
(D) CONCLUSION
The entire exercise and failure of my team in the group tasks taught me many invaluable lessons
that I can certainly apply in the future. Primarily, I need to be assertive and make my view hard
right at the outset of any team task. I should not hide my concern or any query just for the sake of
pleasing other team members or maintaining the status quo. Likewise, I need to improve my
presentation skills so that I am confident and calm when facing a large group. I should also improve
my sense of self efficacy to the extent where I feel able to handle tasks and pressures without
substantial support by team members. Moreover, I feel the need to edit and modify my action plan
in order to ensure that some of the key weak points that have become evident in the other
circumstance can be rectified through careful planning. Finally, what really matters the most is
that the entire teamwork activity was one filled with learning and reflection.
MY ACTION PLAN
Action Plan
Expected Impact
I will practice making presentations to my family
and friends at least three times a month. I will
then extend making presentations to my
colleagues at the workplace
This will help me significantly enhance my
presentation skills by working with people who I
am already comfortable with and moving to
individuals outside of my comfort zone, my
colleagues.
I will take up simple web-based courses on
developing my self-confidence, assertiveness
and improving communication.
These web-based courses will help to highlight
some of my key weaknesses in each of these
areas, they would also succeed in highlighting
some solutions to overcome the weaknesses.
I will take up further learning in areas such as
creativity and innovation by reading books,
articles and journals
This is expected to help me transform myself
from being a simple team-worker into a creative
plant was able to handle and solve difficult
problems.
APPENDIX 1
My Personal Development Plan
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
My picture of success
APPENDIX 2
Feedback from my tutor on my performance
Feedback from my group member:
APPENDIX 3
My long-term goal and dream is to become a successful entrepreneur. These are some inspiring
and motivational quotes said by successful entrepreneurs
Word Count: 1,875.00
Personal Reflective Plan
Description
I was sitting in one of the coffee shops by the sea with my friends but my mind was totally busy recalling the
moments of yesterday event in Master of Science in Management program when we have been involved in a very
interesting experience that affected a sensitive and deep point in my self. We were in one of the class rooms in the
college building when the instructor asked us to divide into three groups and then a piece of paper has been given to
each group. After discovering the content of the distributed paper, we understood that we will be representing a
charitable organization that is responsible to give support to blind people by using super trained dogs in order to help
blind people to perform their daily activities such as reaching workplace and crossing the roads safely. Each group was
representing a different charitable organization and the instructor was representing a very wealthy lady (our tutor) that
decided to donate a big amount of money to charitable organization as a lump sum at the first degree, but the option to
divide the amount between more than one organization was acceptable if she was convinced and equivalent
importance charitable projects found. Our mission was to convince the wealthy lady to support our project by using
negotiation skills. All the class members were involved in this experience since we were all competing to win the charity
money for the organization. The critical event was the open negotiation discussion between the group and resolving the
conflict.
Feelings
I was quite nervous about the whole incident because I felt the cause cannot be expressed fully in Oman context
where preference of dogs is quite least. I was feeling very restless as I always want to win and felt lost and confused
about the idea itself. I was forced to face the audience in the meeting and I did not had a clarity on how we are going to
defend our project in front of the competitors and how we are going to convince the other team members. I was also
bit upset about one of my group member being aggressive and not listening to my main points. I started confidently but
felt that other groups were not listening and always interrupting which again agitated our situation. In fact when I talked
to him, he told me that I am aggressive and not listening to my group. This surprised me too much. I still remember that
I tried to be focused and helped my group’s point of view with my arguments and opinions. The enthusiasm reached my
blood and I started focusing on the project strengths. When I think back, I feel there was lot of negative feelings and
anger when the project core idea was challenged by the competitors. I am upset by my behaviour as could not
understand what made me react in this way.
Evaluation
I tried to link events and other things on that day to understand exactly what happened and why it happened. I
realized that the idea can be succeed if we focused on the positive strong points on it. The group was under pressure
and I was keep supporting with the ideas to give our project a stronger stand against the challenge from the other
groups. My reaction contained kind of aggressiveness and I was attacking the other group members to defend the
project idea which helped me to discover a weakness in my assertiveness style (Appendix 2).
On the other hand, there were some actions went negative when the negotiation was at the peak. As an example,
the communication and listening skills was not applied properly and nobody was willing to listen until the end of the
other group point of view. Most of the conversation was interrupted and it was very difficult to maintain one to one
negotiation. Moreover, the ideas were not arrange properly in a sequence that helps to achieve the target. It has been
used randomly under the pressure of the negotiation without an effective order which affected the group point of view
clarity. At the end, the negotiation could be more focused if we have considered the approaching style.
Analysis
When I have started to think deeply on my feelings, reactions and attitude during the negotiations session a lot of
links came to my mind. To begin with, the preparation period before the negotiation starts was a critical period for me
because I felt that I am in middle of nowhere. I found the basic reason for this from my BELBIN team role model test
(Belbin, 1981). The result of the test was in between implementer role and shaper role (Appendix 1). Both of the roles
have some similarities in the characters. As an example, both of them they need to plan a workable strategy before they
start any task and they need to have a practical approach in solving the issues. To link the results with the preparation
period, it was normal to be confused and not comfortable since there was no planning process at all and the approach
style was totally missed. Moreover, after listing down the supporting ideas we did not review and prioritize them. Not
all ideas got a valid sense and some of the ideas supposed to be at the end of the negotiation or eliminated from the list
and such a quick change in negotiation linked directly with weaknesses of implementer role in BELBIN model where
there is inflexibility and slow response to new possibilities (Belbin, 1981).
When I analyse more, I realized that all the groups were trying to get the pie, rather than even thinking about a winwin situation. I felt all the groups were focusing on convincing and getting the charity money without considering the
other projects’ significance and value and effect. I think the situation will take a different scenario if we have tried to
understand the other point of views instead of being defensive. That led me to think about my communication skills,
how far I was persuasive? Covey(1998) stated that one should be effective speaker. It was a deep pinching thought that
I may have listened to others but not comprehended well. The more I was thinking, the more I feel the urge to do
something about the skills where I really need to work. This was a small exercise; I was thinking how I would have
handled the situation at my workplace. Having a positive and open mind is the key. The incident shakes my selfconfidence and ideology that I can “handle anything”. Honestly the way we handled was not what I was looking for. I
could attribute it more towards planning and PDP. I followed personal development plan as suggested in the Cottrell ,
2010 book(Appendix 2).
Conclusion
From my point of view, I believe if I have taken the lead in the preparation and set the general plan and strategy will
help in running the negotiation smoothly with more level of confidence and clarity. I could have acted as a moderator
rather than flowing with the powerful comment or person. It will save more time and effort since to avoid putting
unnecessary supporting tools in the table that will not have an impact but instead use the time and effort for the
strongest points. Moreover, I could take the initiative to listen with the passion to understand and give the maximum
support for the valid projects. I learnt that there is no harm if the teams share the price and worked for the common
cause. Add more, the negotiation session will be more focused if I tried to convince the other groups to discuss each
project and its benefits to the community separately instead of each one is hunting on each project gaps and
weaknesses.
Action plan
In order to improve personally I have decided to amend my personal development plan (Appendix 2) especially the
required improvement list. Along with the other weaknesses, I decided to give a priority to train myself in negotiation
skills because I felt that this skill will affect my communication level. Based on colleague’s feedback after the session, I
need to have better level of assertiveness. Moreover, I have added some interpersonal skills like appreciates the views
of others and adjust behaviour to account for other people in my personal professional plan (Appendix 2).
In terms of technical skills, I have added people management skills to support me in getting the best out of any
event and reach the maximum benefit. Also it will build self-confident and improve my role as a team member as plant
role in BELBIN model which support the innovation and creativity part (Belbin, 1981). I recognized a lot of gabs in my
personality that requires me to re-evaluate my team role, personal development plan and part of assertiveness skills.
The first action plan is to get a detailed discussion with my tutor and my peers. They will see me in those lenses
which I have not even thought of. The comments and suggestions will be summarized. Moreover, I have decided to
implement a regular practice to ask the colleagues for feedback and demand for advises.
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
My picture of success
Long Term Goals
to open world wide
branches
Part Four- My Picture of Success
Part Three- My Personal Objectives
Personal Development Objectives
Short Term Goals
To best achieve best results in
my carrent degree
To maintained work life balance.
Medium Teim Goals
Expand my business, to be inchange in one et the biggest beading companies in onhan
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