Reflective Essay: Group Formation, Conflict & Leadership
Submitted by:
Sally Sambrook
abs803@bangor.ac.uk
Bangor Business School
College of Business, Social Sciences and Law
Bangor University
1. Introduction
The key purpose of our group assignment was to demonstrate the ability to research and critically analyse an organisation’s structure, culture and approach to management and leadership: this essay evaluates one aspect of that experience: my approach to conflict and decision to not undertake a leadership role.
The present work starts with a focus on my group’s development and aims to explain and justify my performance during this activity, identifying both positive and negative aspects in order to learn from the experience. While theories of group development and conflict are useful in analysing the situation, I have chosen to also discuss my identity and role as a leader. Not only do I believe that this is the most appropriate and useful facet of the experience for my personal development but it is also an area in which I have a significant interest.
The remainder of the essay is divided into four separate but interrelated sections. The first considers our group’s formation, development – and the resultant conflict and the consequences of no individual taking on a leadership role. The second section is concerned with identifying what I have learnt from this experience and detailing how I would act in the future. The third section is focussed on identifying the effects that a similar situation may have on an organisation and the final section considers which approach to leadership may be most appropriate for dealing with conflict. The essay concludes with summary remarks.
2. Group formation and a leadership vacuum
In discussing my group’s formation and development I have drawn on a variety of sources – my individual reflections, the notes I made in my personal diary and conversations I have had with
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