Jazlyn Gonzalez - Reflection #1

Group Reflections

Communicating in Groups - Group 2

I want to preface this by saying this was my team’s presentation, and I found it pretty ironic that our first group project was to elaborate on communication in groups, since our communication was pivotal to our success.

My Nightmarish Past Group Experience

I have participated in class assignments with preselected groups in the past, and I have dealt with uncooperative, lethargic, and outright irresponsible people. There was one instance in my engineering class where we had to present and write a thorough research paper about quantum computers within a week. It wasn’t until the day right before the assignment was due that my peers started answering the group chat, as I frantically tried to create some sort of order and allocate tasks fairly to all the members.

To complete this overwhelming project in a timely manner, I essentially had to relentlessly contact my peers to ensure that we were all on the same page, while consuming as much caffeine as possible to instantaneously combust and afterwards take as much melatonin to tranquilize a horse for a good night's rest.

In retrospect, I can identify that my work group exhibited characteristics mentioned in the presentation, particularly the “Real Life Group Struggles” slide. My group did not communicate, which led to chaos later on during the execution of the work. Additionally, convening at the last second to come up with a body of work worthy of presenting was an unfair/unreasonable goal and some members even opted to be academically dishonest for the sake of the grade. In contrast, my current group exhibits healthy group habits including frequent and open communication; all questions and qualms were addressed immediately, leaving no room for confusion. Everyone was also held accountable to complete their assigned sections and our group had undeniable synergy. 

Benefits of Learning Conflict-Resolution Strategies

Learning about conflict resolution strategies also felt like a pretty significant topic that I’m sure will be useful far beyond this project. Strategies like actively listening, perception checking, and paraphrasing, all of which are utilized to defuse tensions before they escalate into bigger issues are now practical tools we can employ in professional environments. This insight is so crucial because in any group, whether it is professional or informal, one is bound to encounter a dispute. It is through effective communication that we can manage potentially explosive or tense situations unscathed.

Communication in Virtual Groups

Another section that I thought was important to discuss was the topic of virtual groups. Since quarantine, there has been a surge in digital communication in academic and professional sectors. Our presentation focused on the dynamics and challenges specific to virtual teams. 

Virtual groups have increased in popularity due to its flexibility and efficiency. Highlighting on certain difficulties like communication gaps or social loafing will allow the audience to learn how to communicate effectively and avoid the aforementioned issues. Suggesting solutions such as using the camera to simulate face-to-face interaction or including activities to encourage participation will also help facilitate personal connections and avoid misunderstandings.

 

Personally, I think these are great suggestions that will enhance everyone’s experience when using platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Slack. During lockdown, the most memorable class I had was physics because my physics teacher made the class as interactive as she could by making everyone work in groups to solve trajectory problems on a whiteboard. This fostered a sense of teamwork and made the class productive.   

Intercultural Communication - Group 1

Culture

This section provided valuable insight into how culture acts as a lens that molds an individual's understanding of what gestures and mannerisms (nonverbal cues) are considered respectful or rude. In the United States, and especially in Miami, I often interact with people from diverse backgrounds, so it is crucial to understand and respect cultural differences. The example involving maintaining eye contact with one’s superiors or parents perfectly captures how individuals can perceive or interpret information based on the values they were taught (values that align with their culture). To further elaborate, the presenter contrasted the cultural view in Japan, where prolonged eye contact is considered disrespectful, with his own experience growing up with Hispanic parents, who held the opposite belief. This example also reinforces one of the key takeaways from the project, which is: understanding cultural differences helps to avoid misinterpretations and fosters the growth of inclusive communities. 

Sex and Gender

Another topic that I would classify as pivotal. Distinguishing these terms are important for effective intercultural communication. Sex refers to biological attributes while gender pertains to cultural roles and societal conventions based on perceived sex. The presenter made a good point that gender roles are learned (not innate) and vary across cultures. The examples used to reiterate that genders are socially constructed are also effective. The phrases, “Be a man” or “Act like a lady” are phrases that I have heard plenty of times in my childhood. Even now, when I started bodybuilding my father from time to time asserts that gaining muscles or even having some musculature is “not lady-like”. These phrases perpetuate societal norms that limit self expression and some individuals find themselves challenging traditional expectations. Knowing the differences between sex and gender allows us to build meaningful relationships and break down stereotypes. 

Group Leadership and Problem Solving - Group 3

The chapter emphasizes the significance of leadership in group problem solving. Leaders guide the group through the intricacies of problem solving. I like that the presenter mentioned that the leadership position is not confined to a sole person, but can be considered a shared role where multiple members can contribute based on their unique strengths.

Additionally, the systematic problem-solving process provided in the chapter is very valuable in the sense that it creates a foundation for identifying problems, analyzing/ evaluating solutions, and implementing the solution that the team had a general consensus on. Following this multi-step process will ensure that the work group remains focused, efficient, and punctual with deadlines. I enjoyed this presentation because it was very straight to the point, informational, and the formatting was very organized. Moreover, I like that the group made the presentation interactive by creating a Kahoot and asking questions at the end to keep the audience engaged especially after following two other presentations.