Analysis Of Strengths And Weaknesses Of Our Team’S Organizational Behavior

It was beyond our expectation: we had the power to impact a non-for-profit organization such as Port Moody Ecological Society. As we started to analyze the organization’s problems and develop solutions, we became more pleased with the potential impact we could make. But a hidden effect of the project was the opportunity to realize our individual strengths and learn how to use it to contribute in a team setting. By applying what we have learned from this experience and in class, we were able to critically analyze our performance by using several theories including the group decision making theory, the punctuated equilibrium model, and the path-goal theory. These concepts allowed us to pinpoint our strengths and areas for improvement.

The group decision making theory was the most frequently used theory. We decided to individually analyze and come up with the potential problem(s) and solution(s) for the organization. Later, we were each able to offer our own unique perspective of the problem and how we would best approach it. For the presentation, we aggregated all our input to decide on a unique design for the PowerPoint and a detailed way to present the information. The theory was extremely prevalent when we encountered an issue. By starting a discussion and relaying our thoughts of how we would go about solving it, we were able to have a diverse view of the situation and consider new and alternative approaches for the problem. Hence, the group decision making theory was used to progress us through the case.

Most group projects are similar in way that they offer short group work for the semester class with deadlines and thus our team executed the development model of punctuated-equilibrium. To set a base, the introductory meeting allowed us to initiate a conversation between us. It helped us set up goals, rules, and expectations throughout our time as a team. In addition, it connected us a group and aided in the assumption of roles within the group. The development model was easily identifiable when we entered the first stage of the group process. We were unproductive and inactive. We didn’t proactively contact Sandra and despite Sandra’s highly recommendation to attend the National Indigenous People’s day celebration, as we each had our own obligations to attend to. At the midpoint, when Bill sent us a critical announcement about our ill-attendance, our group transitioned into the second phase, making us more aware about the creeping deadline. The transition gave a lot of motivation to each member and allowed us to each reach our peak performance. Together, we participated, collaborated, and completed tasks assigned to meet the nearing deadlines. Without a doubt, the model of punctuated-equilibrium worked out in our group, however in other groups where stress and pressure are dealt with different, it could be a team’s downfall.

A realization our group had was the obvious lack of leadership. We agree we could have achieved executed our tasks more efficiently and effective if we had better direction through the project. Instead, we spent more time than allotted on unnecessary tasks and took a while to confront our goal ambiguity. This weakness affected our satisfaction to the case and was discovered after job commitment was reached. Path-goal theory was what we could have applied. This leadership theory would support us so that we can reach the midpoint faster by proving us instruction and resources as well as creating a bond with each us and thus providing encouragement and empowerment. The application of this theory would bring everyone’s best towards the established goal.

Throughout this case, our strengths and weaknesses were shown and tested. As we applied theories learned in class, it strengthened our understanding of class concepts and strengthened our group’s performance. Task enrichment could be increased when the group is aware of what we unconsciously did wrong. Learning from failure; a lack of leadership, gives us an opportunity to mature our mindset and correct our progress. As a result, these perceptions advantageously and effectively advanced our potentials to perform any task in the future.