Blog Post #3: Roles

“Whatever it is, I can do it. But only if I try.” I am the frog, the only one willing to "take the letter to heaven," the only one willing to "bring the purse of money," the only one willing to "fetch the bride." Kimana's problems are mine to solve; finding the solution is and will always be my ultimate goal. That is why the task role of the initiator/contributor is a visible strength and welcomed challenge of my personal group dynamics. In a group, especially when progress is at a standstill, I am the one who tries to contribute ideas and suggestions while inputting my ideas and thoughts for an eventual solution. Kimana went to everyone (the rabbit, the antelope, the hawk, etc.) without a single animal knowledgeable enough to address his needs. Then, it is the frog - who comes up to Kimana instead of being approached - who doesn't technically know how to travel to Heaven, but is willing to give it his best effort to try. I wait, just like the frog, for a moment where I can contribute most, when some ideas have already been shared, to propose new ideas and to revisit the potential solutions already suggested. I am also the diagnostician, the problem seeker. I like to know exactly the details and nuances of a group project because there are problems to be found and certain things we can do better. This compliments my role as a contributor because I can then collaborate my input with the input of others to work up a solution.

Along these same lines, I also consider myself a strict critic. The expectations I have for my group members is always as close to their best as possible, and I make it a goal to be able to constructively criticize and evaluate a situation before turning something in or giving a presentation. Similar to the smith in "The Master of Masters" who is very critical when Jesus walks in the doorway claiming to be the Master of Masters, I am extremely critical when it comes to the content and focus of a group project. I am able to sacrifice my own opinion and contributions as long as group consensus is reached and the project is improved upon, just as the smith was able to swallow his pride and take down his own "Master of Masters" sign once he had been proven wrong. This type of attitude leads me to believe that my primary social/maintenance role in a group is the harmonizer. Disagreements have the potential to ruin a group if academic arguments are taken too personally. I rarely find myself in group arguments because I can observe the perspectives of a situation and evaluate whether my point is worth arguing over. Usually, I am the one who does not allow the relationship to become awkward because of a disagreement; instead, I look for the best ways to ease the tension and to accept differences, ultimately leading to reconciliation and the reestablishment of the fundamental group dynamics.

Sources: "How Frog Went to Heaven"
"The Master of Masters"