As a team member within this three-person team, I would honestly say that working in this group has been like no other group in which I have been a part in. It could be that because our course is so focused on creating a well-balanced team and emphasizing the overall importance of teamwork, that this group really sets itself apart from the rest. In other groups, I always felt as though the obligation to complete our work was solely weighted on me. I was always so used to having to push through for the rest of my group members who did not do their part of the assignment or project. It would always leave me burnt out from all the additional work I had to take on, that it would eventually make me lose interest in turning in a quality piece of work. I did not want to feel the same anxiety I felt in my experience of being in a group or doing a group project. However, being in this group felt like a breath of fresh air. I did not feel an immense weight on my shoulders thinking I had to carry my team. In fact, we carried each other throughout the entire process. I was able to understand the difference between a group and a team as we had discussed in lecture. In a team I felt like we really worked together, and in a group, I felt like it was a one-man type of deal. Unlike other groups I have been part of, none had all five complete factors that our team did. Those five factors are: Commitment, Conflict, Trust, Accountability, and Results.
Commitment: For my personal application, the image that really stood out to me was the image card displaying a man arm wrestling. The reason I chose this image as opposed to others, is because of the expression on the man’s face that just screams “determination”. This look and this feeling reminded me of our group. Though we were stressed out of our minds trying to find a volunteer opportunity and finish the project on time, we pulled through by working hard, managing our time, and most importantly, working together towards our goal.
Conflict: The image I chose to depict the conflict within our team was one of the lady and little girl doing a gymnastics bridge. I chose this picture because I saw not only myself, but the rest of my team depicted in the overall message of the picture: be flexible. Maybe not flexible in the literal sense, but flexible in the manner that we can be understanding of one another when issues arise.
Trust: To depict trust, I chose the image of five kids sitting on the edge of a skateboard rink with their legs dangling over the edge. I chose this picture because not one of the kids does not have their legs hanging over the edge, they are all in this together. It just made me feel like they had each one another’s backs and that is ultimately how I felt with my team in regard to trust.
Accountability: The image I chose to show accountability, was the image on the little girl carrying what looks like her younger brother, whilst walking. I chose this image because if I am speaking in the literal sense, the little girl would be literally “holding” her brother accountable. That is exactly how we did it in our group. If we had a certain task we had to do, we would hold ourselves accountable whether we did it or not.
Results: Lastly, the image chosen to depict results was the image of the little girl jumping off a diving board into a pool. I decided to pick this image because that is how it felt like at the beginning of our project. It took us sacrifice, being brave, and being motivated to get to where we are now, and so I feel like we are taking a big jump into the end of our project. As we approach the end of our project, I cannot help but reflect on my time volunteering at the Milwaukee Women’s Center Clothing Bank. It was so amazing first walking in and seeing so many clothes everywhere, whether they were on the shelves, on the floor, or stuffed in bags, I just knew they needed and would appreciate any kind of help from us. It felt rewarding seeing the before and after pictures of our hard work.
DelaCruz-Jauregui-Mcdowell-DMP4 