The Modular Executive MBA class was divided into four groups. The groups have people from various backgrounds and academic disciplines who are expected to discuss cases and collaborate on tasks and projects. I have seen distinct dynamics in each group. Their unique differences may contribute to obstacles but could also be rewarding. This allows various opinions on topics from which the entire group can benefit from the skills and knowledge of each member.
Have you had willing team members? How about difficult team members? We are in the early stages of the group and have been experiencing forming, storming, norming, and performing. They are psychological stages of development that teams go through. This is necessary for any team that wants to achieve its objectives. Teams must go through the four stages to get acquainted, face challenges, and solve problems together to achieve their common goal. The common goal of my group is to complete the Lagos Business School Modular Executive MBA (LBS MEMBA).
I realized that some people are not so involved in completing tasks, which sometimes makes the group assignments difficult. Some seemed too busy to participate fully in the group assignments, but others immersed themselves in the program and were ready to roll up their sleeves as required. This could be because of work demands, family emergencies, or health reasons. I have learned to give grace to others and realized that we all have different motivations for taking the course. Being patient with everyone is necessary; hopefully, we will achieve great things together. We are learning to maximize the strengths of each member and manage the weaknesses so that our performance is not affected.
The groups are like work teams in organizations; this has made me think more about the team I lead and the various units in my organization. Some members are always willing and ready to give their best and help the team achieve assigned tasks. Those people have made learning fun and enjoyable. I have experienced the awkward behavior of some members and decided that I will always be a willing contributor to any team I find myself in. The bonding experience has been great, and I look forward to improving my contributions to the team and its performance.
Ultimately, we must learn to work together, succeed, and achieve our objective to complete the MBA. I look forward to all the drama because together, everyone achieves more. They are my family members in LBS, and I cannot change them or refuse to be associated with them. I am determined to make the most of every group meeting and become a better leader. After all, no one achieves great things without working with others. I expect a two-year journey of growth and learning with every member of my team and the entire class. I leave you with this proverb – if you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.
