Which of the work roles do you primarily take on a team?

With so many work roles to consider in a team setting, I have found myself assuming various types of supporting roles that have contributed to a group effort. From high school group projects, to college group projects and presentations, to military briefings and joint-force collaborations, I have experienced multiple roles that exemplify the teamwork process. I have found myself working in the category of task-related group efforts and behaviors. I elected the task-related group efforts because I have discovered that I usually assume the roles of a task leader, expediter, information provider, information seeker, gatekeeper, and recorder. I consider these roles to be positive influences in a group effort. Compared to the Maintenance Group roles and Negative Group Roles, the Task-related Group Roles appear to be more supportive of the overall group effort. I find my prior roles indicative of the task-oriented group roles because in my previous group collaborations, I have exerted myself as a task leader, assigning various roles and functions to all group members with the sole purpose of accomplishing the assignment. As an expediter, I have managed group agendas and have kept everyone on task with their functions. Assessing the objectives and goals of the mission are imperative functions of the expediter. As an information seeker and provider, I have initiated discussions of relevant group topics concerning the assignments and I have sought ideas from all group members that contribute to the effectiveness of the groups' efforts. I have also assumed the role of asking for additional information, ideas, and clarification of items presented that contribute to the assignment or mission at hand. As a gatekeeper, I have carried group discussions that have contributed to the development of more effective ideas. I also have tried to maintain the group in that I wanted everyone to voice their opinions and input. Of course, as a recorder, I have been in various situations where I have documented all discussion and activities that assist in the progression and accomplishment of an assignment or mission. Both proactive and regressive actions have been documented to account for all actions. Overall, the task-oriented group roles are the most fitting and suitable roles I have assumed and continue to assume in my challenges today.

Are there any circumstances in which you tend to take on a different role?

There are circumstances in which I can change or shift to a different role other than my ordinarily- assumed roles in a group setting. I would only consider doing this if the circumstances called for it, in that something happened to a group member in which their task may need to be covered due to an absence or the other group member was providing insufficient or non-contributing efforts to the group. I think everyone in a group setting should be prepared to assume additional or extra-curricular responsibilities or tasks in a group at any given time. The more knowledge and capabilities each group member possesses, the better off the group may be in the long run when accomplishing tasks. Personally, I prepare my mindset to be ready at all times to change my roles in a group environment, for circumstances can always change. The military assisted me with this mindset considering the "wingman concept," where you look out for your "battle buddy" at all times in all types of situations. To render yourself one-dimensional in a group setting opens the doors for multiple errors and possible failure. I appreciate knowing my group has goals and a mission to accomplish, along with individual goals and tasks to reach in the process. If something were to happen that may cause a set-back, I feel comfortable knowing my group and I can adapt to the change and fulfill the different roles without issues. 

How difficult or easy do you think it would be for you to take on a role different from your primary role?

I would find it quite easy to take on a new or different role other than my usual or primary roles in a group setting. Going back to the previous question, I mentioned that adapatiblity is pivotal in sustaining a sufficient group effort. Whenever a group becomes one-dimensional and prefers their own comfort-zones without attempting to reach outside of them, the group can become one-tracked and fall short of their goals. Of course I'd have to say that it may be a difficult transition to assume a new role when I was used to one particular role for some time. I'd say anyone would enter that transition phase, and of course it may take time to learn something new. That comes with anything. Given my prior experiences, I have endured such changes where I have assumed new roles other than my primary role. I do this today in my current job for an example. I work in a mailroom, where functions are ever-changing and our mail is ever incoming, out-going, and revolving. Everyone works in a group setting, where we are assigned tasks on a weekly basis and sometimes everyone must pitch in together to help each other on other tasks when employees are absent. Given that I do this on a daily basis at work while balancing training for fellow coworkers, I definitely find myself more than capable to adapting to changes and assuming new or different roles.

Explain your thoughts on the differences between a group and a team.

In a team setting, everyone has a predetermined role that contributes to the overall mission and objectives. In a group setting, everyone involved is categorized with particular roles and is usually directed by a primary leader. These are my personal thoughts and views regarding this segment. I like to think of regular work teams compared to sports teams, sometimes. When you look at a sports team, you may come to know that certain teams have certain players or coaches with special capabilities and talents that can help lead their team to victory, each with their own unique style and techniques. I think a team defines more of a collective identify among the individuals involved, whereas a group is just a collection of individuals working towards a common goal. (Kozlowski & Bell, 2001) state that "because teams occupy the intersection of the multilevel perspective, they bridge the gap between the individual and the organizational system as a whole. They become a focal point." However, a group works in a way where those individuals work independently to achieve the common goal, whereas the team seeks to work towards personal and overall team goals. When I think of a group, I compare a group to my military experiences where my squadrons were divided into separate groups (Example: My Aircraft Maintenance Group in the PA ANG), led under a few or one individual in our chain of command. In this scenario, our group was directed with short and long-term missions by our group commander, and as subordinates, we fulfilled those directives with our assigned tasks. I find both concepts to be effective in their own ways, depending on the circumstances. 

Reference: 

Work Groups and Teams in Organizations

Kozlowski, S. W. J. & Bell, B. F. (2001). Work groups and teams in organizations. Retrieved December 25, 2017, from Cornell University, ILR School site: http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/articles/389/