Self-reflection in Domains of Teamwork, Leadership and Commitment and Communication Skills

As part of university social responsibility, students are given opportunities to engage directly in significant projects that will have impactful contributions to the community. The community engagement project is not only crucial to the students as it provides them with opportunities to carry out different types of projects that are useful to the society, but it also allow students to apply their knowledge and creativity in handling some challenges in the community. The project that we carried out involves design of water filtration system to improve supply of clean water to residents. In addition to this, alongside major project, our team also engages in cleaning activities so that community folks can stay in healthy environment. This paper covers self-reflection in domains of teamwork, leadership and commitment, communication skills and problem solving.

First, successful implementation of our community engagement project is attributed to teamwork and strong spirit of collaboration coupled with guidance by our supervisor and entire MPU administration. During our first meeting, the members show maximum cooperation and were able to make consensus on several project proposals that were proposed. Although our team members were from different background, they were able to consider perspectives and ideas from each other. In the first meeting, I suggested that we should agree on the type of project to be carried out rather than waiting for other time. The members of my team demonstrated teamwork by accepting my idea and we chose our project on the same day. Moreover, members voted on the project proposal that is believed to have the most impactful contribution to the society. During this project, I have gained new perspectives on the importance of teamwork in diverse team.

Based on leadership and commitment, I was a committee member in logistic department and some of our objectives are booking venue for meeting, booking bus for transportation and purchasing of items needed for the projects. The entire team and logistic department have organized several meetings. I committed myself in series of all these meetings by turning up and participation in the issues being deliberated. Although there are some instances when some committee members don’t turn up for meeting, the few members who attended had to proceed with meeting and update everyone after the meeting. During some projects, I have also learnt that not all members in the team can have the same level of commitment. It is human nature as some people are uncomfortable working for the benefits and success of the team. For example, when students are studying for the examinations and tests, they are likely to show maximum commitment because they want to obtain good grades or results. When it comes to teamwork, some students may not show same level of commitment due to their own reasons and that is not good for the success of team. Having learnt this bad attitude based on personal observation and experience, I will always sacrifice my time and contribute ideas that may be helpful to the team. Furthermore, this project has given me an opportunity to improve communication skills. I was able to communicate freely with rest of my colleagues whether at formal or informal setting. In addition to this, I have learnt on how to present ideas to colleagues or group of people. Having been tasked by head of logistic department to follow up bus booking, I was able to practice communication skills and it is my belief that knowledge acquired during this project will be impactful to my life soon.

One of the challenges that our team faces was financial constraints due to lack of full funding from our sponsors. Moreover, the time constraint was another challenge. As team members were also actively involved in other academic activities and projects, it becomes difficult to tackle a lot of issues like doing small business to generate some funds for our projects. However, through flexibility and creativity, we were able to tackle those issues. For example, we decided to contribute some money for our project. Moreover, our project manager is flexible and was able to secure some funds from certain organization. Furthermore, having been mandated by our supervisor, our team came up with wonderful design for water filtration system. I have learnt that one has to be flexible when faced with some challenges. Since world is full of challenges, aspects of leadership that I have learnt will not only guide me in addressing my personal challenges but also in working with other people from other diverse backgrounds.

In conclusion to this self-reflection essay, it is through commitment and determination of team members that make our project a success. There were many things to be accomplished in the shortest duration of time before execution of project but with contribution and valuable experience of team members, we were able to achieve our ultimate objectives. Furthermore, our team did not secure full funding and sponsorship from organizations, so it was commitment from team that helps us to address the issue of financial constraints. For instance, we collaborated as a team and contributed certain amount of money for our community engagement project. I have learnt that working in the team can be good especially when people have same level of commitment, collaboration, cooperation, tolerance and resilience. I have again valuable experience in the domains of teamwork, leadership, commitment, communication skills, creativity and problem solving.