When I first completed Rob’s Psychometric Test, I was particularly drawn to observing the conductor’s hand movements and how he managed the group dynamics. This experience sparked immediate self-reflection and made me think about what role I naturally take on in a team setting. The test helped me gain a clearer understanding of different team roles and how individuals contribute to group success in various ways. It also gave me the confidence to identify my own strengths and understand how I best work with others.
During our first marketing team meeting, communication proved to be a significant challenge, primarily due to language barriers among team members. The atmosphere felt awkward and frustrating, as it was difficult to clearly exchange ideas or collaborate smoothly. To facilitate communication, the team created an Instagram group chat for ongoing discussions and coordination. While I appreciated the effort to stay connected, I personally found Instagram to be an inappropriate platform for academic or professional collaboration. As a platform largely used for casual and personal content, it lacked the structure and clarity required for serious project management. I would have preferred using email or Discord, which offer more organised threads, file-sharing, and a more professional tone.
Another issue I faced was the clarity of messages shared within the group. At times, it seemed that some members were using AI tools or translation software to write in English, which resulted in unclear and confusing messages. I often found myself unsure of what was being asked or expected of me. Despite my efforts to ask for clarification and offer my contributions, I was frequently ignored, which left me feeling excluded and discouraged. Eventually, one group member reached out to me directly via private message and asked me to design a loyalty card for eDecks. I accepted and completed the task, which ultimately became my only significant contribution to the marketing side of the project.
In contrast, my experience working with the graphic design team was far more positive. Because we all came from the same department and had previous experience working together, communication was smooth, mutual understanding was high, and collaboration felt natural. We were able to effectively plan, design, and execute ideas with a shared sense of purpose and efficiency.
Looking back, the Psychometric Test proved to be a valuable tool in helping me understand how I function within a team and how group dynamics can significantly influence project outcomes. This project, although challenging, gave me meaningful insight into working in a multicultural team environment. It also taught me the importance of selecting the right tools for communication and being aware of how these tools—and the way people use them—can either enable or hinder collaboration. I now have a clearer perspective on the importance of open, respectful, and inclusive communication, and I will carry these lessons into future group work and professional experiences.