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Reflection Paper

Name of student- Priyanka Ray

Student ID- 18010289

Date- 14/11/2018

Name of instructor- Ruchika Jain Bala

Course name and code- Principles of Management L-CB-0001

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INTRODUCTION

I have been studying in Jindal Global Law School for almost three months. Before joining the

university, I had been a Science student with no knowledge about management. So, it was a bit

difficult for me to grasp the concepts in the first few classes. Moreover, a lot of new subjects

were introduced which made it even more difficult. What I found interesting was the way in

which the subject was taught. Instead of going through the prescribed book and having a

theoretical approach towards the subject, we were introduced to a more practical manner of

studying through slides and presentations. Also, it was an interactive and integrated learning

experience. Now I have a basic knowledge about the different managerial skills. The different

aspects of management are not only limited to the threshold of business but is also used in our

daily lives. For example, these skills helped me while working as a team for the presentations as

well as my individual participation in the assignments.

How did the principles of management help me in the group presentations?

The management principles also helped me in the various group presentations throughout the

course. Firstly, there was division of work and one member took the authority. The plans can

either be flexible or specific depending upon whether they could be carried out at a later point or
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had to be done within a deadline. Developing cultural intelligence1, allows a person in a group

to use reasoning and observation skills to interpret unfamiliar situations and work towards the

goals. Discipline was of utmost importance. There was unity of direction2 which guided the

team members to work towards attaining the same result. A correct order was also maintained so

that the group members where at the right place at the right time. Sometimes there was a lack of

subordination of individual interests to the general interest when few of the team members

thought about their benefits on doing the presentation properly and were not willing to adjust

with the others. Premising3 was followed by identifying alternatives which were evaluated and

then we made our decisions. Brainstorming4 helped in improving group decisions. Norming5 is

when we started working as an effective team. Nominal group technique6 was also of great use

where the group members worked independently although they were physically present as a

group as in the case of the viva. Adjourning7 is the stage of performance where last minute

changes are made. Gantt charts8 are of great help in team projects as it shows how the project

will run and the time that will be taken for individual tasks. A vertical functional approach was

maintained while allocating the members with the work depending upon their skills. Sometimes

ethical issues were faced which are exceedingly complex. For example, few members refused to

turn up on time for the group meetings.

1
Cultural intelligence is the capability to relate and work effectively in culturally diverse situations. 
2
Unity of direction it is based on the concept that all team members involved in the same activities must share the
same objective. 
3
Premising is recognition that plans operate in an environment both internal and external to the enterprise.
4
Brainstorming is a group creativity technique by which efforts are made to find a conclusion for a specific
problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its members.
5
Norming is the stage where the team begins to catch their stride. 
6
Nominal group technique is a group process involving problem identification, solution generation, and decision
making.
7
Adjourning is the final stage of group development during which group members are concerned with wrapping up
activities rather than task performance.
8
Gantt chart is one in which a series of horizontal lines shows the amount of work done or production completed
in certain periods of time in relation to the amount planned for those periods.
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What did I learn about teamwork and myself as a team member?

While working in teams during the project, I learnt that teams allow to delegate authority. They

also becomes flexible and competitive depending upon the environment. Team work also helped

me in the better understanding of problem solving and communication skills. As a team member

I have learnt that I have great leadership skills. I also understood that a team is as good as its

leadership. Feedforward9 is a great leadership tool. The team must embrace any type of change

and come up with innovative ideas. Motivation is an important factor in teamwork.

How will the learning help me attain my end goal?

I want to study in West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata. However, this

was not possible after the mishap that happened in CLAT this year. So, I decided to appear for

CLAT again next year. I started preparing, keeping in mind the management skills which I used

in the teamwork. Planning10 included defining goals and establishing strategy because it was

difficult to manage the preparation of CLAT and the studies for the first semester. Organizing
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determined what tasks were to be done and controlling12 involved the process of monitoring

performance and comparing it with the goals. Planning and controlling are inseparable. An
9
Feedforward is the modification or control of a process using its anticipated results or effects.
10
Planning is the process of thinking about the activities required to achieve a desired goal.
11
Organizing is a systematic process of structuring, integrating, coordinating task goals, and activities to resources
in order to attain objectives.
12
Controlling can be defined as a managerial function to ensure that activities in an organization are performed.
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individualism approach13 helps in such a situation as it promotes the individual’s best long-term

interests. My mission is to get a good rank in CLAT and the goal is to get into WBNUJS. The

different policies I had helped in decision making. Strategic management over these few

months, i.e., the decisions that I took and the way I implemented them will finally help me

achieve my goal. A SWOT analysis14 of my present situation also helped me. Strengths included

the law subjects that were being taught, which would eventually help in my preparation. The

time constraint due to the pressure of preparing for CLAT and simultaneously preparing for the

semester exams was the weakness. CLAT will be conducted in an offline mode next year. This is

the opportunity and in turn the threat also because an offline exam becomes time consuming. The

decision to appear for CLAT was made considering certainty, uncertainty and risks which I

might have to face. Self-motivation and perseverance will help me overcome the difficulties in

various situations.

13
Individualism approach considers personal benefit to be the most important factor when deciding. 
14
SWOT analysis is a study undertaken by an organization to identify its internal strengths and weaknesses, as well
as its external opportunities and threats.