Cycle of Kolb Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cycle of Kolb - Essay Example According to the theory, concrete experience is followed by reflection of the experience on a personal level. Based on the reflection, one may try to conceptualise some general rules followed by an attempt to see if the rules are logic. This leads to the next concrete experience. When I joined the OB team, I had a lot of expectations and hopes about my performance in the team. I dreamt of getting a good reputation the team, and I hoped to be happy as I always loved to be cared and appreciated by others. However, after joining the team, I realized that things were not exactly the same as I imagined. I was hardly getting any attention nor was I able to perform well as I had many areas in my work where I was weak. However, I was reluctant to seek others’ help as I thought it would make my position more vulnerable. In addition, as I was too sensitive to comments, even the slightest hints of neglect and negative comments depressed me. Soon, team activities became a nightmare for me . I became too conscious to avoid any mistake. In addition, I had a rather poor relation with other members of the team. The bitter experience that made me reflect upon my own nature took place in March 2011. There was a meeting of my team to develop a plan to handle a serious case. To my utter surprise and dismay, I found that I was given no important role to play in the case. Though removing me was not directly discussed, many members were indicating the need of bringing someone with proficiency and experience. This was much beyond my expectations and control. So, at tea time, I left the meeting. On reaching home, I analysed as to what went so seriously wrong in my case because things were moving further and further away from my hands, and if something was not done, the situation was going to ruin my career and life. I tried to analyze the problem from a neutral view point. As West (172) observes, there are three types of conflict in teams; conflict about the task, conflict about team processes, and interpersonal conflict. In my team, everyone seemed happy working together and I could not find any conflict about tasks. On the other hand, successful completion of each task made the members growing closer in their relations, though I was growing more and more disappointed about my poor contribution. Moreover, there was no conflict about team process, and even personal relations. I was the only element in the team that was feeling detached and disappointed. When I looked into my faults, I could find that the first problem about me was my introverted nature. It did not allow me to be a good team player. As Thomas and Kilman (as cited in West, 2004) identified, there are five personality styles. They are: (1) competitive- taking a firm stand, and is useful when defending against a malicious motive, (2) collaborative- cooperative and takes into consideration the view point of all, (3) compromising- trying to reach a solution that at least partially satisfy all, (4 ) accommodating- trying to accommodate the interests of the other group, often surrendering ones own, and (5) avoiding- trying to evade the conflict entirely. (Source: Conflict Resolution, Mindtools). When I looked into my own position, I found that it was more of an avoiding type. Though I was well aware about my abilities, my attitude was ‘good for nothing’ most of the time, giving me a non- competent image in the team. Yet another serious issue I could identify with me was my egocentric nature. As I mentioned, I had lack of knowledge in certain fields but my hesitation to ask others only exaggerated the problem. If I asked someone in my team, they would only be happy to offer a solution at any time I prefer. It was unwise from my part to cover up the issues. I seemed seriously erred in not