Gibbs reflective essay on group work

Strategic Management and Responsible Leadership

Individual Assessment: some handy tips

1. The task

ICA 50% (Individual) – 3,000 word reflective essay - demonstration of your own learning over the course of the module and specifically as part of the group. Students will be expected to include in their reflective essay evidence of leadership and explore critically how this relates to the theory presented as part of the module. Challenges should be presented along with how the individual, or team overcame these challenges. This assessment relates to learning outcomes 3,4,5.

2. How should I approach this?

· This essay covers a number of issues: your relationship with the learning materials; your group work – specifically the problem you have identified and how you worked together as a group, how the module has changed your view of the world e.g. was there a moment in the conference that inspired you to find out more and change your outlook?

· Remember this is reflective writing and relates to your own learning – therefore it is acceptable to write in the first person throughout;

· Select an appropriate reflective model to stimulate and underpin your reflection e.g. Gibbs. Be clear to state you are using this particular model and refer to it periodically throughout.

· Refer back to the two-day conference to stimulate your thinking. Remember, this was the vehicle to introduce you to contemporary learning materials and real world insights from the business community… This will prompt reflection and connection to the academic materials on the Blackboard site and of course, other readings/research you will need to independently source;

· Think about your group work so far. How did you come together (hint think about the session Jeanette did at the conference), how have you worked as a group and how did you overcome challenges?;

· Refer to the live group challenge you are working on and discuss the problem you have identified e.g. poverty, homelessness;

· Don’t forget to refer to the 17 SDGs in this piece;

· As you reflect ensure that you are linking to relevant theory and practice – e.g. look at the learning materials on Blackboard viz. strategy and models of leadership;

· Important areas of theory to examine are: responsible leadership, the role of business in society, and do remember that you have been asked to provide strategic ideas in response to the brief and so you should demonstrate engagement with relevant strategic management literature;