University: Reflective Report on Group Presentation in Management

This reflective report examines a student's experience with a group presentation in a management course, highlighting the benefits and challenges of collaborative learning. The report delves into the importance of effective communication within a team, discussing issues faced during the presentation's preparation, such as unequal participation and time management difficulties. It explores the application of Bruce Tuckman's model of group development, from formation to dissolution, and emphasizes the significance of group meetings for information exchange and problem-solving. The student reflects on lessons learned regarding time management, contribution tracking, and the value of teamwork, ultimately recognizing the enhanced skills in interpersonal communication and collaborative work gained through the group assignment.

Student Name
INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION(S) |
Reflection on Group
Presentation
[DOCUMENT SUBTITLE]

1
Reflection on Group Presentation
Many instructors and educators from various disciplines across the university utilises
group presentation to enhance the abilities of their students learning. When I was assigned for
a group presentation for collaborative learning purpose of our subject, management in
practice, our group as a team learnt the content of the subject along with applying it on the
presentation and at the same time, we learnt significant lessons behind group work and
cooperation. Research shows that getting assigned in a group work may have various benefits
and positive impacts on learning outcomes due to many reasons, however, if any issue is
identified in group collaboration, the entire purpose may reflect negative consequences and
hamper group studies (Burke, 2011). This reflective report will reflect upon my group
presentation and identification of significance behind group work that can potentially produce
better results and valuable professional skills that are required for working in organisations.
This paper will also discuss about my experience during group presentation and how we
managed to accomplish it even after facing few communication related issues. This paper will
conclude after recognising ways through which effective teams can be built as per academic
lenses to ensure that it benefits my learning and growth in academic as well as professional
level.
The goal behind group work is either increasing students understanding regarding
particular context, for building specific transferable skills or for combining both the above.
Such group presentation is theoretically termed as cooperative learning which is defined as an
instructional utilisation of group work for promoting students working cooperatively for
maximising their own as well as others learnings (Mellor, 2012). The group presentation
taught us various content related to management in practice provided with a capstone

2
experience that can bring us various opportunities for integrating, critically reflecting and
consolidating of whatever we have learnt during the entire program. The basic purpose
behind group presentation was to integrate management theory onto practice along with
equipping us with skills and knowledge required for succeeding in professional career. After
drawing upon various applications, concepts and tools, we were able to broaden our
experience concerning environmental, social and political influences that can help in
identifying and solving business related problems. The presentation taught me about
significant management alternatives and approaches that concerned with social and ethical
perspectives along with how to get involved with skills concerning business research and
management. Since real world organisations faces many culture and diversity related
challenges, they emphasise more on group learnings and are giving much importance to team
approach for solving critical business challenges (Fapohunda, 2013). Similarly, our course
has been designed to meet most of the requirements of present business world i.e. group
collaboration and collective work by team members.
The group which I was assigned to comprised of my classmates who shared common
beliefs and goals i.e. to get better results and capitalise good marks from our group
presentation. According to Chiriac (2014), “Group work is frequently used in higher
education as a pedagogical mode in the classroom, and it is viewed as equivalent to any other
pedagogical practice” (p.2). In fact, without considering advantages and disadvantages
behind group presentation, a non-reflective pedagogical mode can result in less desirable
outcomes. However, a reflective choice, like this assignment can further improve what we
have learnt during group presentation and work on the group work issues for enhancing the
learning experience. There are two significant approaches that creates interest among group
members, collaborative learning and cooperative learning. Often both the concepts are
assumed synonymously although being different from each other. Where cooperative group

3
work considers more comprehensive approach that serves as an umbrella for the students,
collaborative learning is more exclusive concept that includes wider cooperation related
concepts. Cooperative learning usually does not involve much communication among group
members though the students may just sit next to one another. However, our group
presentation demanded more of collaborative learning that required regular meetings for
making interactions regarding our presentation, utilization of group members competencies
for gaining better results jointly and collaborative efforts for completing the task within given
time period.
According to Mahajan (2015), “Communication skills play a vital role in the life of
professionals” (p. 36). The author pinpoints significance behind effective communication
skills and how it acts as an important tool for achieving desired purposes. Furthermore,
organisations also seek effective communication skills in its people to survive successfully.
After my group presentation experience, I have understood the significance behind effective
communication, especially while we work in teams. As mentioned earlier in this paper, my
team comprised competent members, however, we somehow lacked communication skills
that created lots of issues during our presentation preparation. While figuring out where we
lacked effective communication, I found that that few of our group members were taking
more share of discussion by telling lengthy stories and not letting other finish their part.
While others spoke very less and had difficulty in getting through the interactions. Some
group members shared too many side stories that acted as an obstacle within our group work
and thus made us lag behind our scheduled timeline. Also, we faced many difficulties while
setting a common time out of our daily schedule to dedicate it for the sake of our group work
and hence more conceptual framework was required to accomplish our task productively.
Nazzaro & Strazzabosco (2009) recognises that problem solving in groups depends
upon good communication between members that further creates stronger teams. By

4
communication, the authors meant sharing of every information related to group work with
each of the group members equally. Silence does not always mean approval and thus it must
be understood by us when it shall be broken. The authors of this book gave some very useful
information that could have possibly helped us in eliminating our group communication
issues. The author states that every group member must understand task difficulties and shall
summarise it how the task needs to be done. In doing so, members need to clarify with each
other to ensure that every detail is understood by group members to provide equal
contribution in the solution. Moreover, communicating effectively with each other can even
make group members aware of others talent and skill that can be utilised in group tasks. On
the other hand, members must show willingness for recognising others talent and information
for getting assisted or offer help to others in making collaborative effort. Negotiation is
another feature of communication skill that is required for achieving success in group work.
This technique is used especially while making discussions on different opinions concerning
the subject and perceptions opined by different group members. One that gets approved by
every group member, it proves to be the best solution that may create interest in the task and
thus every member must comprehend the significance behind group dynamism and effective
communication to achieve productive work (Hodges, 2017).
To accomplish our goal i.e. making a group presentation, our group passed through
different stages in which we were assigned tasks individually as per our recognised skills.
Our group formation can be compared from Bruce Tuckman’s model of group development
stages as our group members evolved from group to an effective team from the moment, they
were assigned the presentation task until it got dissolved (Kumar, Deshmukh & Adhish,
2014). In the formation stage, my group members introduced themselves regarding their
skills and talent along with determining what role can be performed by them for
accomplishing the task effectively. Though we had few confusions in the beginning regarding

5
whom shall be assigned with what type of task, we decided to make a group leader who could
possibly take responsible decisions during the times of conflicts. Our group leader acted
proficiently during the second stage i.e. the storming stage. Initially, we faced various
conflicts especially due to ineffective and insufficient time provided by each one of us.
However, with time and as the submission date came closer, we entered into our norming
stage in which mutual understanding got established and we supported each other’s while
accepting certain norms that were required for completing our presentation. This is the time
when each one of us were assigned with tasks that further transformed into a group
presentation successfully. During the performing stage, all my group members collected and
integrated individual and group work and thus showed effective results of our group
performance. Finally, when we completed our group presentation task, our group dissolved
similar to the dismantling stage in Tuckman’s model (Zoltan & Vancea, 2016).
One thing I have learnt from group presentation is the significance behind group
meetings so that every group member are able to put in from their viewpoints concerning
group projects. Meetings are usually held for serving the purpose behind exchange of
information, problem-solving and making decisions after finding consensus. Problem-focused
communication can be directly related for comprehending the issue and finding proper
solutions for it that can be further evaluated for resolving the solutions practically. An
appropriate problem-solving is established after defining the problem and analysing it from
group members perspectives. If teams do not accomplish any of these steps, they usually face
lots of issues just like we had faced during making interactions with each other and
neglecting effective communication systems. Kauffeld & Lehmann-Willenbrock (2012)
states that, “problem-focused communication involves idea generation and finding solutions”.
(p. 133). However, group meetings in an educational setting can prove difficult for the
students sometimes as they are forced to attend class, learn as well as participate in projects

6
that sometimes go beyond our control. Therefore, out of pressure, few student’s contribution
in group works gets minimised with time due to which other group members may face issues
(Chiriac, 2014).
Lambert, Carter & Lightbody (2014) recommends that to measure team
effectiveness, every eventual communication must be written down especially during the
times of detailed discussions. Before starting our presentation preparation, our group was
given certain guidelines to ensure that every group member completed the task effectually.
Additionally, we were encouraged throughout to contribute and make error-free presentations
rather than providing a summation of individual contribution. We were required to make
research on management in practice related topics and present a collective overview,
including professional presentation structure, basic analysis and incorporation of recent and
credible resources that were relevant to the proposed presentation topic. Nevertheless, the
basic motive behind making us work in groups was to assess each one’s capabilities by our
instructors for which we needed to keep track of our individual efforts and whatever was
contributed by us so that we can get assessed fairly. Since free-rides may get easily benefitted
out of the group members efforts, most of the assessors observe and assess independently for
marking individual efforts provided by the students and thus keeping a record of individual
contribution is given much priority while conducting group assignments (Muff, 2012).
The above reflection revealed my group presentation experience and how my working
in group taught me various lessons concerning time-management, keeping record of group
contributions, communication in groups, meetings and other arrangements for project
discussion matters and how team collaboration can gain joint benefits through helping each
other’s. After completing my group presentation and this reflective report, I feel more learned
and accustomed with working in groups which is very essential for learning purpose as well
as professional life. Our group assignment proved benefitting for me as it enhanced my

7
overall performance and productivity that can be achieved through working together rather
than working on individual basis only. We were able to apply broader range of talent in our
practical activity while sharing and discussing individual ideas that deepened our knowledge
on group presentation topic. Being a part of a group, I developed interpersonal,
communication and listening skills while working with teams along with realising benefits
behind motivating and supporting others to gain combined results. Some of the skills which I
learned during my group work can potentially help in my professional course especially
while working with large organisations that considers team work more than working on
individual basis. Since our group faced few communication related issues, now I will try to
work more upon it with the help of theoretical frameworks to be a better leader in my future
professional life.

8
References
Burke, A., 2011. Group Work: How to Use Groups Effectively. The Journal of Effective
Teaching, 11(2), pp. 87-95.
Chiriac, E. H., 2014. Group work as an incentive for learning – students’ experiences of
group work. Frontiers in Psychology, 5(558), pp. 1-10.
Fapohunda, T. M., 2013. Towards Effective Team Building in the Workplace. International
Journal of Education and Research , 1(4), pp. 1-12.
Hodges, L. C., 2017. Ten Research-Based Steps for Effective Group Work. [Online]
Available at: https://www.ideaedu.org/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/IDEA%20Papers/IDEA
%20Papers/PaperIDEA_65.pdf
[Accessed 15 05 2019].
Kauffeld, S. & Lehmann-Willenbrock, N., 2012. Meetings Matter: Effects of Team Meetings
on Team and Organizational Success. Small Group Research, 43(2), pp. 130-158.
Kumar , S., Deshmukh, V. & Adhish, V. S., 2014. Building and Leading Teams. Indian
Journal of Community Medicine, 39(4), pp. 208-213.
Lambert, S. C., Carter, A. J. & Lightbody, M., 2014. Taking the Guesswork Out of Assessing
Individual Contributions to Group Work Assignments. American Accounting Association,
29(01), pp. 169-180.
Mahajan, R., 2015. The Key Role Of Communication Skills In The Life Of Professionals.
Journal Of Humanities And Social Science , 20(12), pp. 36-39.

9
Mellor, T., 2012. Group work assessment: some key considerations in developing good
practice. Planet, 25(1), pp. 16-20.
Muff, K., 2012. Are business schools doing their job?. Journal of Management Development,
31(7), pp. 648-662.
Nazzaro, A.-M. & Strazzabosco, J., 2009. Group Dynamics and Team Building. 2nd ed.
Quebec: World Federation of Hemophilia.
Zoltan, R. & Vancea, R., 2016. Work group development models - the evolution from simple
group to effective team. Ecoforum, 5(1), pp. 241-245.