Alejandro Perez SPC1017 Group 1 Reflection 1

Reflection 1

By Alejandro Perez

Introduction

    Last week our class wrapped up a series of chapter presentations for SPC1017. Each group was assigned a different section from the textbook, so no one got to cherry pick a favorite topic. That random assignment turned out to be a blessing because it forced us to dig into material we might have skimmed otherwise. Hearing classmates explain ideas in their own words made the content stick better than any lecture.

Intercultural Communication, Chapter 3, my group

    My team was handed Chapter 3 on intercultural communication, and I curiosity got the better of me and I decided to become a project manager. I don’t know if to thank or spite my curiosity, leading was stressful and also pretty interesting. At times it felt like running a small newsroom on deadline, juggling messages, formatting, encouraging comments, doom comments, and a few little joke comments, all while keeping the vibe positive. I enjoy history and spend a lot of nights watching documentaries about empires and revolutions, so digging into how cultures connect without marching armies felt refreshing.

    We started by splitting the topics. Everyone claimed a section, then I set soft and hard deadlines and reminded people in the group chat. Most followed the plan. Slides rolled in on race, ethnicity, gender, and deep dives into cultural values like individualism versus collectivism. My favorite was time monochronic vs. polychronic. I grew up in Santo Domingo where time is more a suggestion than a rule. I explained to the class how one friend will show up ten minutes early while another strolls in an hour later without a text warning, and everyone just shrugs.

    I built the introduction slide around a quote that said community starts by celebrating differences. That line set the mood and helped tie everything together. For the conclusion I argued that intercultural communication is not only for travelers, it is something you need every time you stand in a line or enter a group chat.

    There was one hiccup. A teammate never finished his slides. Reminders went out, silence came back. In the end I filled the gap and moved on. Apparently some puzzles arrive from the factory with a piece missing, so you draw the last piece yourself and keep playing.

Communicating in Groups, Chapter 9, group 2

    Group two covered communicating in groups and opened with good energy. They asked why group work matters, then showed how families, support circles, and work teams all rely on clear communication. Their slide on healthy traits hit home. It made me think about our own group and how we mostly had those things. Mostly. There was this one guy who didn’t do his slides even when given couple of chances and then didn’t show up to the presentation itself, but again, not gonna keep ranting about that.

    When they talked about modern group norms they mentioned that Gen Z uses emojis during meetings to soften the mood or signal a quick pause. I still think typing emoticons the old school way is better, a simple colon and parenthesis, is cooler and adds a personal touch.

    They also explained conflict styles and how a quick check in can stop tension before it grows. Their use of sports teams and study groups we all know kept things relatable and memorable.

Also Jesus Christ was their presentation long and in-depth.

Leadership and Problem Solving, Chapter 10, group 3

    Group three tackled leadership and problem solving, and their slides looked ready for a company retreat. They listed leadership styles in a neat table: autocratic, democratic, laissez faire, transformational, servant. Autocracy is the best leadership style! (For legal reasons this is a joke. Please don’t sue me.)
    They walked us through a six step problem solving model. Define the issue, gather information, set criteria, brainstorm options, choose the best solution, implement and review. Hearing those steps laid out so cleanly made me realize how theoretically easy would it be to fix the problems of the world if we actually sat and conversed. Also they should have added the alternative step of going to sleep and hope it goes away in the morning.
    My group works pretty well, I think, maybe, everyone is independent, so I mostly point them toward the target and they take off. That freedom keeps morale high and makes my job easier. Even so, I saw how a simple checklist could save us time whenever confusion starts to bubble up.

Overall Thoughts

    Our group was a colorful mix of fonts, layouts, and photos, probably the most chaotic deck in the room, and somehow also the deepest. Each slide looked unique, yet together they painted a fuller picture, just like how cultures keep their identity yet create something new when they mix. Good ideas turn great when they bounce off contrasting perspectives.

    This project was my first time steering a class group of this size and it forced me to learn fast. I practiced setting expectations, sending polite nudges, and stepping in quietly when needed. Being the leader felt like holding the steering wheel of a bus full of creative passengers, slightly scary but exhilarating. I will keep the leader hat until the semester ends unless there is a coup-de-état, in which case I will hand over the hat and take notes and hope to not get executed.

    I was going to line up all the fonts and fix every style issue, but I never got around to it. Instead, I decided the mix of fonts, backgrounds, and colors was a perfect visual for how many different cultures have their own ways of doing things. That explanation sounded good enough to me, so I kept the slides exactly as they were.

    Group two also mentioned virtual teams that rely on video calls and shared documents. They pointed out that turning on cameras can build trust, and that setting a five minute social buffer at the start of a meeting helps people warm up. That was a better more advanced solution than just talking through the group chat.

    The biggest lesson is that communication is a layered skill. Words matter, but so do timing, silence, context, and body language. Whether you are giving directions, planning a fundraiser, or studying for finals, the ability to adjust and listen makes all the difference. Our class proved that different approaches can still meet in the middle and produce something worth sharing. Next time I see a group forming, I might even volunteer to lead again, though I will double check the puzzle pieces first.

The end