Team Building Reflective Journal Entry

            I was extremely nervous about our team building activity. First, I am an online student who graduated in 2009 with my Associates in Nursing. I am entirely unfamiliar with the present 5^th semester cohort of nursing students. Because of this I was nervous to be working in a group setting with them. I was worried they might not accept me and or that I wouldn’t fit in because I was so old. Next, the last thing I ever want to do is get muddy and soaking wet. This is what our professor had prepped us for in his instructions. So, I honestly didn’t even want to go to the activity. What I had expected to learn during the activity was team building activities that were military-based, since our professor has this background.

            After attending the activity, I was pleasantly surprised at how fun and uniting it was. (Luckily I didn’t get too dirty either—a bonus in my mind). Initially, our team got acquainted and was a little less trusting of each other. The first exercise, three of us struggled with thinking our ways of leading was best. I found I was too detail-oriented in giving instructions, and that Paul (my team member) was more concise and clear. His way got the job done a lot faster than mine. I learned to give the details that I felt would be helpful to Emily as she was passing through the course, only as needed. Paul basically took over and he did a great job at it. It was interesting to see other member’s fears and how I noticed myself stepping up to encourage and cheer them on. I knew deep down they could complete the task, they just needed the confidence. I learned that team work requires leaders and followers. Without devoted followers, not much gets done. Our team had a great dynamic because we generated creative ideas together, tried things out, and if it didn’t work, we would compromise and try the next member’s idea. It was a very effective way to work. Communication and reflection was also a key aspect. After reflecting on our “Over the River and Through the Woods” activity, where we guided Emily through an obstacle course while she was blindfolded, I thought I was being too detail-oriented in my instructions, especially because it seemed Paul was doing such a better job at it. I spoke with Emily about it and she said she actually appreciated the details very much—she felt safer. It helped me feel my type of communication is helpful at certain times than others. Cicely was very great at leading us blind-folded through the University. I immediately trusted her, especially with her calm and kind voice. She gave perfect and easy to follow instructions. Ultimately, I felt our team excelled together because of the unity, friendship, and acceptance we had for each other. There was mutual respect for one another’s ideas and that’s why I think our team was so successful.

            From the team building exercise, I learned that everyone can have great ideas—it is not solely the leader’s responsibility to generate these ideas. I learned that some types of communication is better in certain situations than others. I learned that being calm and confident helps others trust you as a leader. I also learned that my friendly nature helps others feel included and united. This automatically helps each member feel needed and an increased desire to help—ultimately resulting in a more productive team outcome. Lastly, I learned that large group situations are not as scary as I thought. I shouldn’t decide against doing something just because my initial reaction is anxiety. I need to push through those feelings and lead.

            In my nursing career, I plan to use this team building experience as a learning example and future predictor of what other team situations can be like if I were leading. I realize my attention to detail is very helpful in situations where a patient is crashing and family members are freaking out emotionally. Even with everything going on, I am able to simplify it in my mind and prioritize/organize the tasks at hand. There have been times where I have faced the family members calmly, placed my hands on their shoulders, looked them in the eyes, and given calm, yet to-the-point instructions to help them calm down, trust me, and feel safe. The family member obediently followed and watched quietly. It helped prevent a scary situation from being more traumatic to the witnessing family member and they later told me how much they appreciated my skill and confidence.

            While writing this, I am realizing that I have the ability to lead, but my nerves usually get the best of me when I’m actually in the position of leader. It’s like if I don’t know that I’m a charge nurse, I would naturally fill the role and do very well. But, just thinking about actually being one makes me nervous. It’s so much responsibility placed upon somebody. And, maybe I just feel most comfortable leading in small group situations. So, with this realization, my new goal is to work on being comfortable in larger group situations and purposely work on taking on a leadership role. This way, as I gain confidence in myself and my abilities, I can hopefully be able to fill those roles well in the Emergency Room as a charge nurse and Trauma nurse. 

           Maybe, being a leader really isn't as scary as I imagine it to be....