Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork

This semester, I am in a class called “organizational management.” We have spent the semester learning about the process of managing an organization in the most effective way. There are many different aspects and ways of going about managing an organization, but most recently we have talked about managing and working in teams. Through out the process, I have learned that there are good and bad times to implement a team strategy. I am a team person, however, and I truly believe a team atmosphere cultivates knowledge and pushes people to think outside of their own thoughts in order to see the different sides of a problem.

Over the summer, I worked for a company where I was placed in a team of five students in charge of brainstorming marketing campaigns. For our first project, we decided to brainstorm on an individual basis. I immediately had an idea that I thought was perfect. I thought through all of the logistics, and I was passionate about the material. I presented it to my team—immediately I received both positive and negative feedback. The negative feedback made me defensive, so at first I rejected the opposing ideas. I figured my idea was good enough, and another person’s opinion would not change the outcome of my proposal. I was wrong.

             I listened to my teammate, and I heard an idea that made sense to me. I implemented it into my plan and outsprung an even better idea. We were able to collaborate our ideas in order to make a better end result. This is the type of lesson that I am now taking to the classroom. When a professor mentions a group project, moans and groans erupt from the audience. This should not be the reaction. While group projects may seem tiresome, it is in these moments as a team that we gain the training to be an effective team member when we enter the workforce.

Teams are crucial to personal development. One who is able to take criticism and mold the ideas into something better will strive in his or her career. It takes teamwork. This is one reason why I enjoy Lit and Civ II. Every day, we interact with our tables on a team basis in order to tackle a problem. I can guarantee that because we work on assignments as a team I develop more on an individual basis. Students need to understand the opportunities laid in front of them, chasing after the chance to develop and succeed.

            I am thrilled to spend time in a team on a regular basis. I understand that although arguments will occur, ideas will conflict, and personalities will not align, students need to welcome as many opportunities to be in a team as possible. I challenge each student to approach their teams with an entirely different mindset. Once will be surprised by the benefits of doing this. Now believe me, I understand that there is always that group member who slacks, pulling down the team with it. Stuff like this happens, and it may seem to be wasting you time. It is not wasting your time. Each time there is conflict in a group and an obstacle needs to be overcome, you as an individual will grow from the experience. Whether it will help with future conflicts or a give you a good answer in an interview, these experience will push you and help you grow as an individual ready for the business world.