Monday, September 16, 2024
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| A'Ajanae B., Faith B., Banu S., & Daniel W. |
My Fantastic Team/Group Experience
During the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to intern as an HR DE/I at Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin. One of the most significant aspects of this experience was the group project, where all interns were divided into teams to research a topic and present it to the Executive Leadership Council (ELC). Each team was supported by sponsors, supervisors, and project managers. I was fortunate to be one of the project managers for my team, which was an exciting challenge.
Effective Communication and Leadership:
As the project manager, I ensured that all team members were on the same page, understood the project goals, and communicated consistently with our sponsor and supervisor. I also made sure everyone knew their responsibilities. However, things took an unexpected turn when one of our team members suddenly disappeared due to a family emergency that required her to leave the country. This unexpected setback forced us to adapt and adjust our strategy to ensure the project's success.
Overcoming Communication Barriers:
One of the significant challenges we faced was information overload. At the halfway point, our team was overwhelmed with resources, information, and expectations that needed to be organized. When our teammate left, the remaining three of us had to take on the additional workload. Despite the struggle, we persevered and eventually succeeded. The key to our success was the guidance and support from the resourceful professionals around us, who embodied the concept that "a leader should train team members about group techniques for meeting facilitation and conflict resolution as well as individual skills such as listening, communicating criticism, and mediation" (Wheelan 2005). Through active listening and feedback, we were able to stay on track and reach the finish line.
Lessons Learned and Takeaways:
This experience was truly fantastic because of the skills and knowledge I gained. I learned the importance of effective communication, leadership, and adaptability in a team setting. I also realized that with the right support and guidance, teams can overcome even the most significant challenges and achieve their goals.
Hi Everyone! Below is a video that can help deepen your understanding of connecting and communicating within your teams. Enjoy!
Wow that is so awesome! It is always nice to hear about when group/team projects and meetings can work out great in the end. And it was for an internship! Another step closer to getting into the real working field. That is great that even though one of your members needed to leave unexpectedly, you and your remaining team were able to come together even stronger and finish what you needed. Such a nice accomplishment as well that you were able to act as the team leader. A lot of responsibility, but it seems you were able to handle it well!
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