Reflictive report

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Table of content:

Executive summary: Comment by Amanda Marshall-Ponting: This isn’t needed for this submission

Despite a range of equality legislation and initiatives all over the world, the construction industry remains one of the most male dominated professions around the world. Women are under-represented in all construction occupations and professions. This analytic report reviews the describes of current literature and the authors thought on the difficulties experienced by women who work in this sector including cultural and structural barriers, such as harassment and discrimination, limited networking opportunities and long and inflexible working hours which often result in poor career prospects and high levels of stress for women as it apply to a group work presentation done in 2020. Comment by Amanda Marshall-Ponting: It is a personal reflective report about your engagement with the team Comment by Amanda Marshall-Ponting: This is not the focus of the assessment and tasks Comment by Amanda Marshall-Ponting: You do not need to be including citations of related theory in this submission.

1.0. Introduction:

Despite the number of equality legislation, government initiatives and effort to balance gender in many countries of the world, the construction industry remains one of the most male dominated professions around the world. Women Representation in all construction professions and occupations is relatively low and under-represented (Tan,2019). Various literatures has described the challenges women working in the construction sector face including culture and structural barriers, religious discrimination, and emotional stress such as sexual harassment, limited networking opportunity, long and flexible working hours which often result in poor career prospects, and male superiority sentiment in some part of the word. (sang, & powell, 2012). Comment by Amanda Marshall-Ponting: The two tasks for this report are: Critically reflect upon the impact of your contributions to the performance of the team in completing the groupwork task; Based upon your self-evaluation, describe the changes you would make to your team-working practice and explain how this will help you in your future professional career; You do not need to be speaking about the issues that you addressed in your group work, only on the above two tasks. Your introduction should reflect the report tasks correctly therefore.

This boarding above, informed my group’s decision in making presentation on possible solutions to this problem in our home countries.

This reflective report is a product of the above group presentation which identifies, addresses, and recommends solutions to gender discrimination within the construction industry with the help of previous literatures and team members input.

1.1. Roles and responsibilities:

On Monday the 5th of October 2020, immediately the groups where formed and all adjustments confirmed by Dr. Amanda Mashall-pointer (our tutor), Mr. Coner created a whattsapp group and added all five members of the team and lead conversations as well. I advised that instead of having meetings on wattspp platform, it is better we create a Teams group because whattsapp has its limitations in sharing documents, which the team agreed on and a Team’s group was created as well.

Personally, I had mixed fillings of anxiety and curiosity working with people I had not met; I needed to first reevaluate myself before the team’s first meeting to understand my strength and weakness better, so I adopted the self perception inventory technique by Belbin R.M. as recommended by Dr Amanda in one of her lecture section with project management in construction class, 2020. (See appendix II for details of self evaluation table using the Belbin recommended). With same thought, I began to see every member of our team’s special skill that made the teamwork easier; from the clam and excellent communication skills of our team leader Mr Conor Mitchell to the IT skills and technical abilities of Nuara Alrashidi. The patience and conflict management skills of Obiezu Chibuzor, the writing skills of Ruqiya Jama and my idea inputs and critical analysis skills all played deferent roles in making our group work presentation a success. I used my skills to drive a check and balance on the team’s work and made sure every member of the team deliver their work to the expected standard.

2.0. Impact of my contribution to the team success:

The official role allocated to me by the team was to discuss team management as it applies to our team, which I delivered to the best of my capacity. However, because of the good relationship between team members, I was also able to make input in various areas of our work for example Mr. conor typed too many word in his presentation slides with made the words too small and difficult to read, I advised respectfully that he bullet the main points and remove the other information which are not very relevant to the argument at the time to make the points clear and readable and also knowing that we have just 15 minutes to make all our presentation, we must give fare and balanced opportunity for all members of the team. I used my strength in critical analysis as my competitive advantage over others to improve our work and drive members with love to do better for the best interest of the team by setting action plans and deadline for every activity we carried out in the team. This drive impacted greatly on the team as we delivered every goal we set for ourselves at the expected time.

2.1. Knowledge/ Leaning outcome:

I have learnt a lot of new thing that will improve my professional working relationship with other professionals in the future within this short period of time I worked together with members of my team. First of which is that I was able to understand myself more and know the roles I can best function in a team with the help of the Belbin R.M. self perception inventory technique (see appendix I for details). I was able to know my strongest and weakest qualities which helped me function better in the team. I developed conflict management skills and other skills for effective team management such as clear and efficient communication, allocation of roles and responsibility, place team goal above personal gains, set targets and timeline for every section of work and allow members function in their area of strength while you check and cover their weakness; because a chain is as strong as its weakest point. I also understand the impact of update and follow-up in team work as it is a key to meeting milestones in any project.

2.2. Change in attitude: Comment by Amanda Marshall-Ponting: This heading isn’t needed here as it is another outcome from the section above.

I now understand that to achieve success as a team, I most introduce Change in my work ethics and attitude. Advancing teamwork above me will be some of the fundamental changes that will reflect in my professional relationship with my team mates and clients; as well as the support, protection and encouragement of female colleges in the construction industry. I will absorb the support network I observed in this team and practice it where ever I find myself.

3.0. Conclusion:

This teamwork has not only improve my communication and interaction skills, it has changed my perspective on the way I see myself and others now; it has built my self confidence and my level of interaction within people from other nationality and has served as a bridge for friendship across continents.

3.1. Recommendation:

My I humble acknowledge the effort and support of Dr. Amanda Marshall-pointer over the past weeks of our group work and recommend that much more of such group works be introduced to our learning system as it seems to me that I have benefited more than just the knowledge of delivering a task, but have gained insight on discrimination issues as it relates to other countries of the world, not to mention legislations empowering gender equality in the UK and other parts of the world. Seeing same information from another person’s view is always a plus to the body of knowledge; that is what this group work has done for me.

Reference:

Sang, K., & Powell, A. (2012). Gender inequality in the construction industry: Lessons from Pierre Bourdieu. In Proceedings of the 28th Annual ARCOM Conference. Edinburgh, UK: Association of Researchers in Construction Management (pp. 237-247).

Tan, H. Y. (2019). Gender Inequality in Construction Industry (Doctoral dissertation, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College).

Appendix 1:

Team weekly report

Date of experience	Experience/ Activity	Reflection/ thought	Decipher (making sense out of)	Planning
Monday 5th October, 2020	Contacting our self and creating a group	After our group was confirmed and posted by our tutor Dr Amanda, we contacted our self and Conor Mitchell created a watts app group at about 11:39 am and added all the members of the group.	It was a great idea, a welcomed development and an early achievement for our team.	I will adopt early win strategy as it was a good step in the right direction for us. I would love to create a group and contact other members just as we have done now in the future if I am in a team because it made teamwork easier.
Tuesday 6th October 2020	Group communication	Conor asked at about 1:46, if we are all okay with communication on watts App group one person said yes but I pleaded that we should set up our meetings on zoom or Microsoft teams where we can see each other’s face as communication is more effective when there is an eye contact. Which we agreed and created a Teams group and everyone was added with their university email	We all agreed on it and even enforced the decision almost immediately	It was a good though and would take it along with me as a tool for team work in the future.
10th October 2020	First official meeting	We agreed to hold a meeting on teams, while I was on teams waiting for others, Mr conor proposed that teams is not working so the meeting should be done on watts app audio or video call. They eventually held a call meeting and very crucial decisions were taken such as 1. The topic we are to discuss on 2. Who is the group leader and who is the technical support leader 3. Who should discuss on what section of the topic etc They even allocated topics to me and the other member that was not informed about the meeting	This was unfair to me and another member of the group as we eventually missed the meeting. I also think first meetings as usually acquaintance meetings, but that was not the case here as to much sensitive decisions where concluded on a first meeting without considering that 2 out of 5 members are not in the meeting.	I would have put in effort to make sure every member of the committee is present by trying to call one after another. If it was not possible for everyone at the time to be in the meeting, I would have rescheduled the meeting to a more convenient time. Alternatively carry on with the meeting but keep it low and simple as possible (Acquaintance) so the members that were not present will not miss too much information and have the opportunity in giving their input in the group decision.
Sunday 11th October 2020	Group presentation update	Email information	At 8:05 pm, the group leader Mr Conor Mitchell sent an update of the meeting outcomes and decisions to all members of the group through Microsoft outlook which was how I found out that the meeting held on the 10th October and the decisions that followed as well. I immediately replied mail and expressed my worries on the bridge of information for the meeting and the level of decisions that has been taken on an acquaintance meeting with 40% members not in attendance. However to let the group move on, I allowed it go but stated that the role allocated to me was not convenient and requested for another role.	I would still point out this factors because they can cause division within a team and let go as I have done.
Tuesday 13th October 2020	proposed a catch up meeting	At 9:12 pm, I proposed a meeting for 7:00 pm the next day been 14th October to catch up with events for me and the other member of the team that was absent for the last meeting, Mr conor (group leader) said 7:00 will not be okay for him that we should make it 8:00. I also gave time to other members of the team to respond and even called them individually as its just a group of 5 people. Every one gave their consent privately ad on the group as well.	This is a process of trying to get to know each other	what I have done is the best I could do at the moment so that is what I would have still done if given another chance to do it again
Wednesday October 15, 2020	8:00pm update meeting	At 7:59, the group call was made and every member of the team was connected for the meeting. The team leader Mr Conor started the meeting with remarks. I called his attention to the fact that two of us were not in the last meeting and that it is proper for us to introduce ourselves to each other before we carry on with the update and brief which we did. Mr Conor gave the update of what was discussed in the last meeting and the agreement made; however I pointed out that I was relatively new in the UK and may not be an authority in the UK construction Laws and mostly as it applies to our chosen topic that I will be more comfortable talking about team work with everyone on the group agreed with me. So my point was changed with that of Mr Conor. Mr Conor apologized for the misinformation of the last meeting notice, we all had a good laugh and sang the VE song as we dispatched at the end of the meeting to reconvene in two weeks. The high not of the meeting was that everyone will have two weeks to study and research on the part allocated to him and make a presentation to the team when we meet again in two weeks.	My thought is that the misinformation of the previous meeting almost brought about a division among the team member but we were able to manage it properly by making compromise and supporting each other. The misunderstanding has made us closer and better as a team.	We handle the situation in the best way that we can and I think subsequently I would have handled it same way.
15/10/2020	Update	Later that night, Mr. Conor (the team leader) send a mail on the resolutions we had on the meeting.	I also thought it was a good idea	I think it was the right thing to do at the time so I would have probable done same as he did.
17/10/2020	Technical update	At about 4:54 pm Our technical leader Noura sent an update on the power point work she has done and made provision for every member of the team to make his or her input.	I think Noura has done a very good job and she has made the work easy for all the members of the team	I would have done same as she has done
Sunday 25/10/2020	Group meeting	The group had a Wattsapp call meeting on Sunday the 25/10/2020. Unfortunately I had work commitment at the chosen time; however I jointed the meeting briefly to explain why I could not stay in the meeting. Conor applied to all group members that we should try and be in the meeting all the time as we need everyone to move forward. I gave a short brief on my section and left the meeting.	I should have checked my work time table to make sure it does not clash with the group meetings and plead with members to move the meeting to a more convenient time if possible.	If a meeting time is not convenient with any member of the group, it is appropriate from the group to move the meeting to a time that is more likely to be okay with most members of the group; knowing that it’s a small group and member’s impact is important.
Monday 26/10/2020	E-mail update from last meeting	Group leader (Mr. Conor) sent a mail to all group members, stating the outcome of the Sunday meeting, resolutions and recommendations. Part of the resolutions where setting a meeting calendar from the 25/10 to the 6/12 2020. He (Mr. Conor) gave highlight on what everyone said in the meeting and support everyone needed to go forward in delivering their work.	It was a good idea by the leader to give update to members of the group on decisions reached	I would have done the same as well because it’s important to keep all members of the group at the same pace
28/10/2020	E-mail Responds	I responded to the Leader’s e-mail and promised to deliver my section of work fully for preview on our next meeting	I do not want to drag the group backward so I hard to finish my section of work and support anyone that is struggling for the benefit of the team.	I will try to keep up with meeting dates and time to make sure it does not clash with other of my activities; however if it eventually does, I will try and manage the clash in a way that I can join the larger part of the meeting.
22/11/2020	Group meeting and personal meeting with Noara on final design of our presentation	We run through every single slide of our presentation and made correction as a group. We did not look at issues as it concerns individual but as a group. Noara did a wonderful presentation with our slides, however I made an observation so some omissions made which made myself and nuora remain in the room after our meeting to update and correct the errors. We also agreed to make voice recording for every slide we make.	We worked together as a team to make our work as presentable as we can with each team member supporting one another for the best interest of the team. I was given an extra role to make the conclusion for convenience and smooth running of the voicing since I was the last to speak.	I have come to understand that everyone need each other to survive in a team and the support of everyone is important; going forward, I will always try to carry everyone along when working in a team and allow they function in the best way they can.

Appendix 2:

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section	Item A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
I	1.6	1.7	2.5	1.5	0.5	1.0	1.1	0.6
II	1.5	1.3	2.5	0.3	2.1	0.2	0.8	1.3
III	1.9	1.4	2.1	1.5	1.2	0.5	1.3	1.0
IV	0.9	1.0	1.1	2.1	1.0	1.4	1.6	0.9
V	1.1	1.0	1.2	1.6	1.4	1.8	0.9	1.0
VI	0.6	1.4	1.5	1.8	0.9	1.2	1.5	1.1
VII	2.3	1.9	1.3	1.2	0.7	1.2	0.9	0.5

Table 1.2: point allocation for self description inventory. (Furnham, Steele & Pendleton, 2020)

section	IM	CO	SH	PL	RI	ME	TW	CF
I	1.6	1.7	2.5	1.5	0.5	1.0	1.1	0.6
II	1.5	1.3	2.5	0.3	2.1	0.2	0.8	1.3
III	1.9	1.4	2.1	1.5	1.2	0.5	1.3	1.0
IV	0.9	1.0	1.1	2.1	1.0	1.4	1.6	0.9
V	1.1	1.0	1.2	1.6	1.4	1.8	0.9	1.0
VI	0.6	1.4	1.5	1.8	0.9	1.2	1.5	1.1
VII	2.3	1.9	1.3	1.2	0.7	1.2	0.9	0.5
TOTAL	9.9	9.7	12.2	10	7.8	7.3	8.1	6.4

Table 1.3: total point allocation for self description inventory. (Furnham, Steele & Pendleton, 2020)

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