Paulina Beautiovia

MHRM6600-Week 2

Personal Blog

Pauline R. Lopez

 

September 16, 2012

 

Questions have been proposed that ask for a reflection of my past experiences working with teams, the advantages and disadvantages of doing so in an educational setting or otherwise.  In contrast, how does this compare to working individually? What about evaluating team members?

 

In response:

I have had experience working individually and in teams and I have mixed feelings and thoughts about these experiences.

Before deciding to attend Walden, I was enrolled in a Master’s program at University of Phoenix, which is primarily team based.  Feedback about the school was that the majority of my grades would be based on team assignments and in reviews about the college, other students complained that their grade was diminished due to problems with the team experience.  I found this threatening and decided that this school was not for me.  I am a very social and friendly person, but for many years, worked individually.  Anyway, I enrolled at Walden and guess what, in my second and third course, I was asked to work in teams.

I am glad that I “had” to do this because so far it has been an enjoyable experience for me. What I discovered is that I can lead a group if need be, directing and coordinating the completion of the assignment or I can work for another team member, and relax once my part is done.  The group eases tension and I learn from other group members.

Last, in my class on budget management, we had a team member that at first, I thought he was arrogant and a know it all.  Half way through the assignment group experience, I realized that what I thought was arrogance, was competence and I changed my opinion of him completely.

 Two areas that are difficult for me are not being able to visually see my classmates during team assignments, however, if I am in my sleep clothes and without makeup or my hair is in a mess, this environment is much better.

Second, is that I struggle with evaluations in that I believe that most if not all classmates work diligently and I do not want a negative review to reflect on their evaluation.  It is not my place to have this type of influence.  Regardless, I have given positive evaluations except for one woman who did not participate in our group project, did not communicate with the professor or her teammates and those that remained and participated, had to complete her part.  Without communication by her, I could not give her a positive review. With love, Paulina Beautovia