UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE MALAYSIA
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES, LITERACIES AND TRANSLATION
LEM316: ORAL COMMUNICATION FOR SOCIAL AND OCCUPATIONAL
PURPOSES
ASSESSMENT 3: INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE (10%)
NAME:MUHAMMAD HAIQAL BIN MUHAMMAD
MATRIC NO: 153024
SUBMISSION:
26/6/23 MONDAY
A) Task Description
In the group project, my primary responsibilities were focused on two main areas: the
introduction part and providing valuable company suggestions. Firstly, for the introduction
section, I conducted thorough research to gather relevant information about the industry and the
specific company we were targeting. This involved studying the company's background,
products or services, market position, and notable achievements or challenges. Using this
research, I crafted a comprehensive and engaging introduction that set the stage for the rest of the
project.
Additionally, I played a crucial role in providing suggestions for the targeted company.
Based on my connection from the past, I managed to convince the worker from Aerospace
Composite Malaysia (ACM) to be part of this research. After he agreed to take part in the
interview session, I did my research to understand the company's context. I carefully analyzed
the root of issues that we want to observe, the logic behind that and the possible solution to its
problem. With this analysis in mind, I formulated practical and actionable recommendations to
our group to address the identified issues and solutions to enhance the company's performance.
Furthermore, I took the initiative to construct a well-designed questionnaire for
conducting interviews and surveys. This involved developing clear and concise questions that
directly aligned with the research objectives. The questionnaire covered various aspects related
to social and communication challenges in the workplace, including language barriers such as
slang and dialect, technical terminology, and adherence to quality standards. To collect valuable
insights, I set up an interview session with a worker from Aerospace Composite Malaysia.
During the interview, I asked pertinent questions to gain a deeper understanding of the
challenges faced by employees and their perspectives on potential solutions.
B) Benefits And/Or Challenges Faced In Teamwork
As for me, the benefits that I anticipated from this group project were the value of
leadership and management skills. Alongside Mirza, we embarked on planning and managing the
workflow for this project from start to finish. We aimed to distribute tasks fairly among group
members to ensure completion of the assignment. Moreover, I anticipated improving my
management skills in documenting and organizing the platform for our assignment. We planned
to utilize various tools such as Google Drive, Google Docs, spreadsheets, Microsoft Forms, and
Webex to facilitate the project. These tools were essential to our project's success. Additionally, I
expected my communication skills to flourish as I took charge of conducting interview sessions
with the participants.
However, despite my hopes and efforts, the project faced numerous setbacks and
challenges. The foremost obstacle was scheduling the interview sessions due to the limited
availability of participants. Finding a suitable time that accommodated everyone's schedules
proved to be exceedingly difficult. Furthermore, collecting data through surveys presented
another hurdle, as the employees at ACM were occupied with their work and showed reluctance
in sparing a moment to respond. Despite these obstacles, I managed to secure a modest number
of respondents. Nevertheless, the project ultimately fell short of achieving its desired goals and
failed to yield the anticipated benefits in terms of leadership, management, and communication
skills.
C) Benefits And/Or Challenges Faced Individually
Throughout the process of working on the project, I encountered both benefits and
challenges on an individual level. These experiences encompassed various aspects, including
communication, technical skills, content development, and group dynamics.One of the
significant benefits I gained individually was the improvement of my communication skills. As
part of the project, I had the opportunity to conduct interview sessions with the participants,
which allowed me to enhance my ability to effectively communicate and ask relevant questions.
This experience contributed to my growth as a communicator and improved my confidence in
conducting interviews.
On the other hand, I also faced challenges during the project. One notable challenge was
related to technical skills. As the project required the use of different software and platforms, I
had to familiarize myself with tools such as Google Drive, Google Docs, spreadsheets, Microsoft
Forms, and Webex. Initially, adapting to these tools and ensuring their seamless integration
presented difficulties. It took time and effort to become proficient in utilizing these technologies
effectively.
Moreover, working within the dynamics of a group presented its own set of challenges.
Collaborating with diverse individuals with different work styles, perspectives, and availability
required effective coordination and teamwork. Balancing conflicting schedules and managing
varying levels of commitment from group members proved to be a challenge that required
constant communication and adaptation.
D) Conflict Management
In the project, we encountered a few conflicts and challenges that required effective
conflict management to ensure the smooth progress of the work. Firstly, the task distribution and
workload imbalance is one of the major issues that we faced. Ensuring the fair task distribution
and balancing the workload among team members is not an easy thing to manage. To address
this, we held a meeting to assess each member's strengths, interest and their willingness to take
the part. We then allocated tasks accordingly, taking into account individual preferences and
expertise. Regular check-ins and progress in google docs and checking for updates allowed us to
monitor the workload and make adjustments if needed, ensuring a balanced distribution of
responsibilities.
Next is the time management and meeting deadlines. Meeting deadlines was crucial for
the success of the project, but it was challenging due to conflicting schedules and unforeseen
circumstances. To tackle this, we set realistic deadlines and created a shared project timeline. We
encouraged proactive time management, reminding team members of upcoming milestones and
deliverables. In case of unforeseen delays, we practiced open communication, notifying the team
as soon as possible and collectively strategizing on how to mitigate the impact on the project
timeline.
E) Key Takeaways
Through this group work project, I have gained several key takeaways that have
contributed to my personal and professional growth. Here are the key lessons I have learned:
1) Collaboration and teamwork:
This project highlighted the value of collaboration and teamwork. Diverse team members
provided unique perspectives and learning opportunities. Open communication, active listening,
and respect for each member's contributions were crucial. Collaborative efforts yielded improved
outcomes and enhanced the project experience.
2) Time management and organization:
Time management and organization were crucial for project success. Balancing tasks, setting
realistic deadlines, and prioritizing effectively were essential skills. Planning ahead, breaking
tasks down, and regularly assessing progress ensured timely completion of deliverables.
3) Leadership and management:
This project provided opportunities to develop leadership and management skills. Taking
responsibility for planning, coordinating, and delegating tasks enhanced my ability to lead and
manage a team. I learned the significance of effective delegation, motivating team members, and
creating a positive work environment that encourages productivity and collaboration.