Cross-Cultural Team Management: A Reflective Analysis Using Gibb's

This essay presents an individual reflection on the experience of managing a cross-cultural team, utilizing Gibb's reflective model to analyze the situation. The reflection covers the initial challenges of coordinating tasks among team members from diverse backgrounds, the feelings of frustration and motivation experienced during the project, and the evaluation of positive outcomes achieved through teamwork and individual contributions. The analysis highlights the importance of teamwork, diverse perspectives, and effective communication in a cross-cultural organization. The conclusion emphasizes the benefits of dividing work, addressing challenges through planning and decision-making, and the need for managers to motivate employees. The action plan outlines strategies for future projects, including respecting individual beliefs, enhancing communication skills, and developing strong policies to overcome initial challenges. The essay concludes that self-evaluation and the application of Gibb’s reflective model are essential for personal and professional growth.

Individual Reflection

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Gibb’s reflective model..........................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION
Individual reflection refers to the evaluation of the personal thoughts, behaviour, desire,
attitudes and motivations (Rosseel and Anseel, 2022). It can be evaluated with the help of Gibb’s
reflective cycle which help in learning from the past and current experiences of an individual.
This will include the experience of working in a cross cultural groups.
MAIN BODY
Gibb’s reflective model
It was developed by Professor Graham Gibbs in 1988 so that people can understand the
situation and experience new learnings. It can be discussed as follows:
Description: I am currently working as a manager in a cross cultural organisation where I
have distributed task in each and every segment so that it can fulfilled prior to the deadline. I
thought it will complete on time but due to lack of coordination between some employees it will
take longer time to accomplish the project (Matsuo, 2018). I have given extra time to the
employees so that they can complete the project on time without any difficulties. Each and every
individual contributed their efforts which make project successful and help all of us in
achievement of goals on prescribed time.
Feelings: I realise that the division of tasks among each and every employee was successful
as it helps us in completion before the deadline. Before division of task I was a little frustrated
because it was not easy to complete project without coordinating with each other. I felt motivated
when I have seen positive outcomes by the division of task among employees. It evolves the
feeling of guilt when some of the employees were not coordinating and communicating with
each other related to the project. But later on, when every employee contribute their positive
efforts, I feel satisfied with their performance.
Evaluation: The positive outcome can be achieved only because of the employees who are
coordinating with each other so that they can complete project successfully. Employees who
have changed their behaviour towards the performance and operation in a team motivated me a
lot. The positive contribution of employees helped us in completion of the project in ethical
manner before the deadline (Centgraf, 2018). Initially it was tough to handle the situation due to
lack of coordination but at the end every employee become responsible for their duties which is
essential in cross cultural organisation.
1

Analysis: I have experienced that teamwork is a strength of each and every organisation so
that they can achieve goals in desired manner. Opinions and decisions of every employee
working in team plays important role because it helps us in creating ideas which are unique and
different. It reduces burden and pressure of project because every employee participated and give
their best which is positive aspect of team work. I have seen that employees belonging from the
different background and culture can contribute their thoughts and beliefs in manner which
helped overall organisation in innovating ideas which results in better growth and development.
Conclusions: I have experienced that dividing work in groups results beneficial because
each and every employee represents their strengths and weaknesses which collectively results in
successful project. This becomes more effective when every employee understands the work
environment and communicate with each other regarding projects so that they can maintain
better coordination in an organisation (Xiang, Chen and Liu, 2018). I have learned that
sometimes we faced issues and challenges but with the proper decision making and plannings it
can be easily resolved. I have to ensure that being a manager of organisation I have to satisfy the
demands of employees so that they can stay motivated to work hard.
Action plan: Whenever I will work on the project next time, I ensure that every team
member should respect the beliefs and attitudes of each other. Understanding their strengths and
weaknesses will help in formulation of plans and strategies which will best suitable according to
the situation (Wilkin, 2021). I would like to enhance my communication and critical thinking
skills so that I can create strategic decisions for over all organisation which help in growth and
success. This experience helped me in increasing the confidence level which develop my
personality in required manner. I will surely create strong policies for the upcoming projects so
that I can overcome the challenges which was affected the project during initial stage.
CONCLUSION
It is concluded that self evaluation is necessary in order to identify the areas ofc improvement.
Gibb’s reflective model helped a lot in experiencing the situation so that individual can achieve
their targets and goals.
2

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Centgraf, S., 2018. Supporting civic engagement in German energy cooperatives–
Transdisciplinary research based on the reflection of individual needs. Energy research
& social science, 44, pp.112-121.
Matsuo, M., 2018. Goal orientation, critical reflection, and unlearning: An individual‐level
study. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 29(1), pp.49-66.
Rosseel, J. and Anseel, F., 2022. When reflection hinders creative problem-solving: a test of
alternative reflection strategies. Journal of Business and Psychology, 37(2), pp.429-
441.
Wilkin, C.L., 2021. Developing critical reflection: An integrated approach. The British
Accounting Review, p.101043.
Xiang, S., Chen, G. and Liu, W., 2018. A study of perceived team learning on individual
performance: The mediating role of individual reflection and the moderating role of
psychological safety. Nankai Business Review International.
3

4