ORGS 5100P – Everest Reflection (approx. 5 pgs.)

The Everest Reflection is an opportunity for you to reflect on the course material as it applies to your own experience as a team member and decision-maker in the Everest Simulation activity. Reflecting on this experience will help you to truly understand the principles of Organizational Behaviour, especially as it relates to team formation, group dynamics, organizational structure, decision-making processes, communication and conflict.

The reflection consists of analyzing your own and your team’s performance, by considering the choices that were made, the processes followed and “the roads not taken.” The goal is to reach a deeper understanding of how the theories and concepts you have studied during the course affect the progress and the outcome of all organizational activities.

Some issues that you may wish to address include:

· How well did your team function in this activity?

· What aspects of team dynamics were evident and what were the impacts on the team?

· To what extent did the team’s previous work on the case study influence its performance on this task?

· How might the team as a whole have functioned better?

· Which team member do you think was the highest performer? How did this person’s behaviours contribute to the success of the team?

· What challenges did the team face and how did they manage them?

· What was your role on the team and how well did you perform it?

· What factors influenced your performance?

· What was your key contribution to the team?

· What you’re your own biggest challenge?

· What might you do differently next time?

· What have you learned about yourself as a team member and as a leader?

It is best not to approach this activity as a series of questions and answers. Rather, consider the experience as a whole, relate it to the ideas discussed in class, in the text and in the readings (articles), and critically assess the ways in which the Everest Simulation is meaningful to you both now – as an MBA student and in your current position – and for your future – as you work toward your professional goals as a member of a business organization.

A good reflection will go beyond simply describing the actions taken during the simulation. It will explore the experience in depth, discussing how the theories and concepts from the course can be seen operating during the simulation process. Further, it will assess the effects of the process on the feelings, thoughts and attitudes within the individual and the group. An excellent reflection will demonstrate personal insights, challenge personal assumptions and show true “ownership” of the concepts and ideas of Organizational Behaviour.

Grade Levels

An A-range paper is insightful and exceeds standards:

· Reflection exhibits “ownership” of the course material, demonstrating independent and critical thinking, seeing personal relevance in the experience

· Clearly demonstrates that the writer has critically assessed his/her actions, assumptions and beliefs during the Everest Simulation activity

· Paper shows clear connection between the Everest experience and the concepts from the course

· The personal learning goes beyond the boundaries of the classroom discussion and shows initiative in exploring the learning opportunity

· The focus of the reflection is depth of understanding rather than breadth of coverage

· The reflection shows insight into the issues of team performance as a function of organizational behaviour

· Course concepts are discussed and applied in a meaningful way, not just listed as items of study

· The reflection includes stimulating ideas, insights and questions

· Course material and secondary sources (including text, articles and other research) are cited correctly in APA format

A B-range paper is competent and meets standards:

· Reflection includes some interesting ideas, insights and questions

· Shows understanding or course concepts, readings and discussions, but does not demonstrate “ownership” of the material to a great extent

· Identifies relationship between course concepts and the Everest experience, but does not create novel insights

· Links between description, concepts and applications and course concepts are correct and relevant, but not always logical or concise

· Reflection touches on a number of concepts rather than exploring any one of them deeply or identifying a theme that ties them all together

· Misses some of the subtleties of the featured concept

· No demonstration of challenging own beliefs and assumptions in the reflection

· Some direct reference to course material is made and cited in APA format

A C-range paper (or lower) is inadequate and does not meet standards:

· “Ownership” of course material is not demonstrated

· Reflection mainly describes events rather than analyzing them in any meaningful way

· Description/discussion of course concepts is incomplete or incorrect

· Application of the concepts to own experience is superficial or flawed

· Reflection does not establish strong, relevant and logical links between the description of the experience, course concepts and implications

· Reflection is unfocused and introduces a variety of concepts without fully explaining or applying them

· Reflection uses words/terms from the course without communicating a strong sense of understanding their real meaning

· Reflection does not provide evidence of personal learning

· No direct reference to course material is made

Bernholtz 2011