T'work (Teamwork)

Please watch this video to get in the right mind set to read this blog posting.

Teamwork was a requirement in my previous life as it is in my current life and as it will probably be in my next life (hopefully as an account planner or as a bear, I'd find either role equally rewarding).While obligatory in both lives, the manner  in which teamwork was construed in the past compared to the present differs in so many ways.

In my life as an undergraduate, I had plenty of autonomy. The classes were so large that I usually got the freedom to choose who I wanted in my group. I was so happy...to begin with. Soon after the first year had passed, I had come to see this so called freedom for what it was - a curse. The negative effects that autonomy and too many choices had on consumer purchasing bared the same effects on students during group member selection. The selection was overwhelming and the risks were higher than that of purchasing a new jam (refer to link above for marketing study conducted by Iyengar and Lepper).

UNDERGRADUATE GROUP MEMBER SELECTION OPTIONS:

Select a friend and you're guaranteed to have a good time but not a good mark. You will most indefinitely not use your time as wisely as you should, although this is not always the case.

Select the smart socially awkward person (stray) that you've noticed answers all the question and and queries in class and online discussion boards, and you're guaranteed to have little or no say in the final output. That person will most likely make a demand that they hand in the report or assignment, providing them with the opportunity to "edit" out all your words and thoughts. Or they will sit there with you and edit the final project, meaning you will sit in a room together while this other person reads aloud the final project and changes every word you've written in front of your face (true story bro).

Select a random social person that got left behind because the group requirements had an odd number of pairings that just didn't work out with their number of friends, and you might or might not have a slacker on your hands. If this random person is not sociable or feels right at home, communication barriers could follow, which might deviate your direct route to success. If the random social person is not a slacker, see scenario 2: smart socially awkward person (stray).

Be the random person and you might have the potential to make new friends. Or, if not integrated to the herd properly you will be shunned; forced to listen to inside jokes all the while implementing others ideas because majority rules. Or, you will be doing all the work.

Regardless of what type member chosen, the project was always completed. On time. Signed, sealed and delivered. Why? Because momma didn't raise no fool and school costs a ton.

In post-graduate life, options are limited. I know everyone. I know their hobbies, birthdays, number of siblings, where they did their undergrads and I could probably tell you their favorite colors. I've heard their introduction stories several of times (as every prof asked for an introduction and background story) and they've heard mine. In my current life I don't really get to choose, and if I do the selection is very limited. Contrary to what you might think, I like this method of group selection.

In my current life, everything is more refined. Yes my class is small but we are all like minded and focused. We all slack once in a while, but when you go back to school to get a second chance at life you make sure you pay attention and you make sure you do a good job. Without my current classmates, I'd most likely be lost. What I don't pick up on in class, they surely do and vice versa.