Group Effort Progress Report

Progress Report #3

Summarize your activities since the last progress report

Personally, I have enhanced my awareness of the various differences that exist between cultures. This I have accomplished through the establishment of friendly relations with students from diverse cultures in my class. The team has familiarized itself further with group dynamics including, but not limited to, the characteristics and behavioral patterns of groups.

Critique the team's effectiveness in relation to Shulman's discussion about groups

I would say that the team has been relatively effective. In essence, Shulman (2010) points out that in a group setting, people form mutually beneficial relations to solve problems. To a large extent, the group has accomplished some goals due to the said mutually beneficial relationship existing between members. The fear of groups syndrome has however been visible in some instances – especially when some members fail to make contributions or fail to defend their contributions effectively in the face of subtle opposition. One of the obstacles to mutual aid is identified as difficulty in expressing feelings due to a variety of reasons (Shulman, 2010). This has been evident, with reasons for the same being strongly held beliefs about an issue at hand.

How have external systems affected the progress of this project?

In the words of Shulman (2010), “the group exists within a dynamic system – the environment…” (p. 232). Despite the leader’s best efforts, the progress of this project has been affected by external systems in some ways. The need to consult with the relevant stakeholders for instance has been an impediment as far as meeting set deadlines is concerned. Further, the fact that we have had to work under a certain set of pre-existing rules did affect flexibility and objectivity. Cultural bias could also be cited as an impediment as far as consulting on a variety of issues and arriving at valid conclusions is concerned.

Progress Report #4

Summarize your activities since the last progress report.

We have had opportunities for wide ranging consultations on issues on the subject matter. More specifically, consultations have revolved around culturally relevant interventions. Also, we have further enhanced our awareness on child welfare practice and further built our cultural competency on a wide range of multicultural issues so as to develop valid assessment setups and intervention recommendations.

Evaluate your own contribution to the team in terms of group membership and task performance.

Some of the key roles I have taken include the role of the harmonizer and gate keeper. As a harmonizer, I have mainly been working towards bringing down tensions by mediating in cases of disharmony, probing the team to move forward when there appears to be a contentious issue at hand, encouraging team members to have unity of purpose, etc. As the gatekeeper, I have been involved in thawing situations especially during the commencement of engagements, being warm and friendly to other team players so as to encourage participation, and ensuring that communication channels are kept open. One role I have seen a certain member play, i.e. deviant member, has often threatened the unity of the group. The role has got to do with opposing the ideas of others and pursuing issues that are not of benefit to the wider group (Shulman, 2010).