978-0073403267 Chapter 18 Appendixes

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Module 18 – Working and Writing in Teams

Part 3:

Appendix 18-A: Sample Journal Entry

Well, here I am again typing on the computer. This journal entry

isn’t going to be as long as the last one because not much has

happened since the last time I wrote. Since my last entry, Pam,

Dean, and I met you to discuss revisions of Country Combo. The

group is planning on each person doing their own revisions rather

than a group effort combination. Hopefully this will turn out for the

best because all our time and effort needs to be centered on our new

project for which we have not yet decided on a topic.

As for an idea for our report, Pat and Mark seem to think that they

have a brilliant idea, but Pam, Dean, and I aren’t really too hip on

the idea because we don’t know much about the subject matter. Pat

and Mark have a class together and there is an idea from the book

they are using and they want to use that idea. The only problem is,

they are the only ones who know what they are talking about. I

have no problem with them using this idea if they can provide more

information and help explain the idea a little better. Hopefully

everything will go a little smoother with this project.

Now I’ll go a little deeper into some of the topics I discussed the last

time I talked with you. I hope you don’t mind that I used the term

“talk” because I do feel like I am talking into the computer when I

type on it.

Last time and this time I mentioned some of the problems that our

group is having. I think one way they we can solve these problems

is to be very open with one another. If we each voice our own

opinions and feelings up front and not hold back then

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Module 18 – Working and Writing in Teams

Appendix 18-B: Sample Journal Entry continued

it is easier to get an idea of what you think. It works best if one

person gets the ball rolling and each person has their turn. If one

person doesn’t say anything because they think it’s not a good idea

then sometimes it takes a bit of work to make them talk. I think

everybody always has an idea, they are just not always willing to

express it. Sometimes we need to ask how they feel about the

situation.

Another thing that our group has problems with is agreeing with one

another. We all have different thoughts about things, but when it

comes down to making decisions we have a hard time. One way to

make this go smoother is to take a vote. We did this when we

elected to revise.

Country Combo and it seemed to work fairly well. Another thing

that would help our group is if we wouldn’t get all bent out of shape

about things. We need to take things a little more lightly and have

more fun and I think things will fall into place.

As I said last time, I think that we have one disadvantage as a group

and that Is that we all have the same background. I have discovered

that there are disadvantages to this in that there is little diversity

because we all think along the same lines.

Other advantages and disadvantages within our group are that

usually only one person has time to type things in the computer and

they do the editing while in the lab. This happens because our

group is a very active group and we only have so much time

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Module 18 – Working and Writing in Teams

Appendix 18-C: Sample Journal Entry continued

to spend on these assignments. It would be to our benefit If we had

more than one person do the typing and the whole group work on

editing.

When speaking of my personal conflicts with Pat, I have to say

things are going better. This might be due to the fact that we aren’t

working that closely as a group at the present. I plan on trying to

work harder on listening to Pat’s ideas, but I also want him to listen

to mine and not cut on them.

It’s going to be hard for the next couple of days with trying to revise

Country Combo and working on a project, but I’m looking forward

to finishing up these projects and the quarter.

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Module 18 – Working and Writing in Teams

Appendix 18-D: Memo Analyzing Group

Dynamics

Date: May 25, 2001

To: Kitty Locker

From: David Dennison

Subject: Analyzing the Dynamics of Our Business Communication Group

Every group which I have participated in has had different characteristics. However, this has

probably been the most unusual.

Group Development

The group was originally established with three members. However, because of various reasons

another individual was forced to join. Rob, Steve, and I had decided to work on the project,

when Susan asked if she could join. From the outset I could tell that she would be closed out.

When Susan asked to join Rob acted offended and immediately changed the topic of

conversation to something she was unfamiliar with, sports. This was an attempt to close her out

of our conversation. I believe this was an unconscious act, but it proved to be very effective.

When Susan asked questions or gave input she was ignored or disagreed with.

Following this first interaction I noticed that Susan became self-contained and isolated from the

group. She gave limited input and when she did it was immediately met with negative reactions.

Group Leadership

Rob became our group’s leader form the outset. He is an outspoken and extremely confident

individual, just the type of person who dominates this type of group. When Steve mentioned that

we should attempt to get the work done quickly, Rob stated that he currently did not have the

time, indirectly leading us to put off the work until later.

At that time I knew I would be unable to attend two classes later in the project, so I waned to

finish the project quickly. However, since I had seen Susan isolated from the group I was

hesitant to mention this fact.

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Module 18 – Working and Writing in Teams

Appendix 18-E:

Memo Analyzing Group Dynamics continued

Kitty O. Locker

May 25, 2001

Page 2

Group Problem

A problem developed because Susan and I missed two consecutive classes. Rob was upset and

quick to express his opinion on the matter. Rather than ask why we were absent, he scolded us

and pushed Susan further from the group.

When the group was to meet for the memo-writing session, Rob revolted. He scheduled the time

and place, but he did not attend the meeting. I believe he used this to send a message that he had

contributed his share and we should finish the project.

Contributions

Since Susan and I missed two meetings our early contributions were limited. Rob and Steve

were unwilling to forgive us and made our task seem more difficult. However, when Rob was

not present we became much more involved. The memo-writing meeting went extremely well as

all three of us opened up and gave our different ideas.

In Rob’s absence I assumed the leadership role. I felt confident in my ideas and was unafraid of

being put down for making my suggestions. I assumed a passive leadership role and only gave

instructions when we began to wander off the subject. I believe this allowed all three of us to

give information without worrying about being closed out.

Evaluation

This group was the worst I have been associated with. Each member acted as an individual, not

allowing us to work together effectively. Although Rob assumed the leadership role his attitude

towards Susan and me acted to separate the group. If we were to work together again, a new

leader and attitude would have to be established.

manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.

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