Deconstruct the kites

Building a kite has proven to be a very tactful, yet fun, task.  Being paired with one another actually worked out very well.  We all met in class Thursday and broke into our pairs to begin the building process.  I believe everyone did a little research on their own, a simple Google search, and came in with an idea of how they wanted to build a kite.  Anne and I first discussed the design and how we were going to create our kite.  We then got to know one another and started discussing interests, such as; color.  We had a few minor flaws with the three kites that we tested, but overall it was a great team building process.  Even though we had really never met, this exercise was a great demonstration on how a team can accomplish a task.  We came in with our own ideas, discussed each others interest, built our model, and tested it.  Although our kite didn't fly as well as others, it did go up in the air and it came out looking exactly as we planned.  I believe that all the teams did very well in this exercise and worked very well together.

Overall I really enjoyed this project and the demonstration of building a small team to accomplish a task.  It really broke down the fundamentals of how an effective team works.  Although this wasn't as transparent during the building process, afterwards I feel enlightened to what I need to work on for the next team project.  I believe that one thing that I need to work on is being more assertive with my ideas.  I also need to invest more time for research to analyze what future team members come up with and decide if its an effective way to go about our project.

Group Development Comparison

Group develop is an interesting study.  After reading and comparing these processes to the processes that our class has undergone there were many similarities on how to create an effective group.  The first one that stuck out to me was Kurt Lewin's Individual change process.  After taking our tests and seeing how our personality works with others, I believe that Kurt's three step process of disabling your defense, changing your mindset, and adapting your comfort level are all effective strategies to create and effective group.  The Next model that stuck out to me was Tuckman's Stages.  This model I believe is what compares directly hand in hand with the tests that our class has undergone. This model really appeals to a group that doesn't know each other very well.  The next effective model is Fisher's theory of decision.  I really like how this model is broken down into the four stages.  Groups members meet each other and get to know one another, then conflict and debate about the task at hand.  Then the next stage the group's social roles become apparent and a conclusion is reached.  Out of all of the models I believe that this one relates to the most realistic "real world scenario."  The next effective model for group development is Gersick's Punctuated equilibrium.  This model establishes a framework of behavioral patterns that allow the group to develop a project.  Then through experience and research it allows the group to come up with ideas that transitions the group to meet satisfied expectations.  Not all of these models go along with the tests that we demonstrated in our class, but these are the models that I believe will create positive group development.  These models are effective with people who don't really know each other very well, but are laid out to accomplish the task at hand.