MHRM 6100 Week 8

I updated my Linkedin and Twitter accounts and when I had time, explored both sites. I updated my resume because one of my goals for 2012, is to get back into managing and/or HR.  I have been at my company for six years and even though I don’t like the “culture,” this position has temporally met my needs both emotionally and intellectually.  It is time to update my resume and begin the process of revamping myself. I will look at my wardrobe and shoes; get my hair cut and just look more professional, which is good for my self-confidence.  (Side note here.)

Also, both websites are educational in and of themselves and for those of us that are not used to social networking, opening up accounts and navigating inside he sites is good practice for updating our computer skills and a step at beginning to social network. 

Over the last eight weeks, we have been team building and comparing our progress against Tuckman’s model for team development.

I knew this week was coming....and I feel emotional as I write this. For me, I am in Tuckman’s last stage, which is the adjourning stage. (Chapman, 1995) states that this stage was added by Tuckman in approximately 1975. He added this stage as an “adjourning or mourning” stage.  It is a final stage where the team has completed its collective goal and is ending its bond; a bond  created since the beginning of the class. Team bonding will start fresh with the next course; however, if the same students that are in this course are in the next, we will have a very short forming phase. Based on what I have seen so far in my classmates discussion responses, most if not all students, including me, are very excited with our program at Walden.   

I was able to apply Tuckman’s model for team development to our virtual team, but it was, a somewhat, hazy exercise for me to do. I assumed our class was in a particular phase because this virtual experience is not based on actually meeting and talking with people, and I never asked any of my teammates what they thought about our team.

I was thinking the following and wanted to write this down: what if I could not speak or hear, but had the written word as my only communication? I would have words that I could read and understand and reply to, like e-mails, discussion posts or blogs.  I could communicate with some of my senses, but not my sense of hearing. This form of learning could work for someone with a disability verses sitting in a class if a person cannot hear or has lost sight. This virtual learning environment is the future for those that cannot be in a regular classroom.

Continuing with Tuckman’s team building; the forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning are all needed for a team to form, bond, produce and resolve.  If one aspect of the team is not there, then it is possible that the team will not perform at its best and may fail.  I think that our team continues to be built and this class was the first building block for all of our classes to come.    

With that being said, I feel sad as I write this because in some ways I do not want this class to end because I have enjoyed it very much.

 Love Paulina Beautovia

What stage of the Tuckman are we in?

In examining my virtual learning environment, when compared against the Tuckman Team Stage Development model, I believe that we are in various phases of development. To be more specific, some of us are in the forming phase, where we continue to be focused on our professor, still learning the "rules" of being a student at Walden University.  Chapman (2001-2009)  Some of us are working at establishing ourselves, focusing of the goal of completing each week's discussion board (DB), writing the application assignments  and getting good grades (p. 2). There are a few of us who see these assignments as fun and enjoy sharing with others on the DB, in this being the norming phase of Tuckman's team development. (p. 2) Lastly, Tuckman's stage 4 is all about performance. As we learn, we understand and grow. We are working toward a goal of competing this course at the end of week 8, yet are enjoying the journey along the way.

I must say that I can see myself in all of the phases that I have described above. I look to the professor for direction and approval; I am still learning the rules and have challenged them too. I answer my assignments on the DB and then fear that someone else has done a better job then I have and besides all of that emotional up and down, I really enjoy what I am learning. 

Reference

Chapman, A. (2001-2009) tuckman forming storming norming performing model. Retrieved from  http://www.businessballs.com/tuckmanformingstormingnormingperforming.htm.

Always, Paulina Beautovia.

My thoughts for this day, 12-8-11

Hi Blog... I am looking forward to Christmas and relaxing some. I hope to go to church with my mom on Christmas eve.  My husband is in good humor and our son is growing up to be a really interesting and intelligent man.  We have 2 dogs as well and my husband will take them to the doggie barbershop next week. 
There are many things I wish for but what I have is enough for me.  I am enjoying my first master's class in HR and I am excited about what is next. 
I have a blog assignment this week and will do this tonight.  What stage is my group in using Tuckman's phases.   Got to go, Love Paulina Beautovia.