Working in teams is the new norm in the contemporary world because group work enables people to view problems from different perspectives. Different group members have different skills, capabilities, and expertise to solve complex snags. When working in groups, people play different roles integrated to offer a desirable outcome. The specific roles in a group are action-oriented, people-oriented, and thought-oriented. The action-oriented ensures that the team navigates the challenges and improves performance, while the people-oriented ensures that people in the group are motivated to perform their roles. On the other hand, the thought-oriented focuses on options and alternatives that can be exploited to make the group more efficient (Bednár, & Ljudvigová, 2020). Working in a team is preferable because it encourages personal growth, reduces stress, and develops self-esteem.
Numerous scenarios offer an opportunity to work as a team. Group work in class offers a unique opportunity to participate in a team to ensure that the group performs better. Most games require teamwork to achieve their objectives during co-curricular activities as they have to discuss the tactics to win and motivate each other to act accordingly. The primary role I always play in a group is thought-oriented because it offers an opportunity to strategize on behalf of the team. The role is important and offers a group a chance to navigate different options and choose the most rewarding path.
The group role that does not fit my personality is the people-oriented role since it requires high levels of emotional intelligence to convince people. As an introverted person, I am more comfortable with strategizing other than interacting with people and convincing them to do what they may not be prepared to do. One of the most positive experiences I have ever had working in a team was finding a unique formula and completing a task one hour earlier than the other groups. Our team was declared the most effective in problem-solving, and an award was given. However, one of the most frustrating moments in the group was when I proposed a vague solution, and the team members did not agree to do it. Consequently, they rebelled and made fun of me for misleading them. Working in a team requires attention to detail to avoid making mistakes because it can harm a person’s self-esteem.
Reference
Bednár, R., & Ljudvigová, I. (2020). Belbin team roles in a start-up team. In SHS Web of Conferences (Vol. 83, p. 01002). EDP Sciences.