Leandro Jardón González - Reflection #1

My experience

I felt overwhelmed on the first day of class when we were assigned group presentations due that same Friday. It seemed like an intense workload for the very first week of the semester. This was my first group project in college, which added to my anxiety. I was especially concerned that my group members might not be committed or engaged. However, to my surprise and relief, everyone contributed equally, and the experience turned out to be positive. In the end, the presentation was a great success, and it helped me ease into the semester feeling more confident about future teamwork.

Group 1 - Chapter 3: Intercultural Communication

The first presentation was by Group 1, who covered Chapter 3: Intercultural Communication. I found their presentation particularly engaging and informative. One of the most striking points was how the same gestures can carry vastly different meanings depending on the cultural context. For example, I was genuinely shocked to learn that the "thumbs up" sign—something I’ve always considered a universal gesture for approval—can be offensive in parts of West Africa and the Middle East. Similarly, the “V-sign,” which symbolizes peace in the United States, is seen as vulgar in the United Kingdom, despite both countries speaking English. These examples opened my eyes to the complexity and nuance of intercultural communication.


As a Cuban, I also reflected on the cultural meaning of gestures I’m familiar with. In Cuba, the “L” hand sign stands for Libertad (freedom), a powerful and patriotic gesture. Learning that this same symbol is interpreted in the United States as calling someone a “loser” was mind-blowing. It reminded me how deeply cultural identity influences perception and communication, often in ways we don't even realize.

Manifestants in Cuba do the L sign to ask for freedom

Another compelling topic covered by Group 1 was “power distance,” defined as the extent to which members of a culture accept unequal distribution of power. After listening to their explanation, I concluded that striving for a low power-distance culture—where power is more equally distributed—should be an ideal in any society. This topic hit close to home, as it reminded me of the political situation in Cuba. Although the government promotes an image of equality, the truth is that power has remained within the same elite circle for over 60 years. In that sense, Cuba is a textbook example of a high power-distance culture, where real equality is more of an illusion than a reality.

Another concept that stood out to me was generational identity. Personally, I find the rigid categorization of generations a bit problematic. The dividing lines seem arbitrary. For instance, someone born in 1978—technically Generation X—might have more in common with a Millennial born in 1982 than with someone from 1963, who is also classified as Gen X. In my view, life experiences, historical context, and personal values shape identity more than generational labels.

Group 1 concluded their presentation with a strong message about embracing diversity, which I found especially timely. In a world where hate speech and xenophobia are on the rise, it's important to reaffirm that diversity is not a threat but a strength. Whether we describe America as a melting pot or a salad bowl, the essence remains the same: the country's greatness is rooted in its diversity. Celebrating different cultures, languages, and perspectives is what continues to make the United States one of the greatest nations in the world.

Group 3 - Chapter 10: Group Leadership and Problem Solving

Next, I’d like to talk about Group 3’s presentation on Chapter 10: Group Leadership and Problem Solving, which I thought was exceptionally well done. One technique that really captured my attention was the “Five Whys.” This method involves repeatedly asking “why?” in order to dig deeper and identify the root cause of a problem. I found this technique incredibly useful, especially for academic and real-life problem solving, as it encourages critical thinking and avoids superficial solutions.­­­

Group 3 also did an excellent job explaining various leadership styles. They discussed autocratic leadership, which involves centralized decision-making and can lead to efficiency but may harm team morale. In contrast, democratic leadership includes team input and promotes member satisfaction. Laissez-faire leadership allows for creativity through minimal interference but can result in chaos without structure. Transformational leaders inspire and innovate by sharing a compelling vision, while servant leaders prioritize the needs of others, fostering empathy and trust. This breakdown helped me understand that leadership is not one-size-fits-all; rather, effective leadership depends on context and the specific needs of the group.

Group 2 - Chapter 9: Communicating in Groups

Finally, I’d like to reflect on Group 2’s presentation on Chapter 9: Communicating in Groups, which was especially meaningful to me since I was part of this team. We discussed various types of groups, such as families, social groups, support groups, interest groups, service groups, work groups, and virtual groups. One part of the presentation I personally found very important was the section I led on virtual group communication. Given the increasing reliance on remote collaboration in both academia and the workplace, I believe our slide offering tips for improving communication in virtual groups will prove particularly valuable to my classmates, especially as we continue to work on group assignments throughout the semester.

Virtual groups have become increasingly popular over the last few years

Additionally, we presented the five stages of group development: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning. This framework helped me better understand group dynamics and gave me a roadmap for managing group projects in a more structured and effective way. We also discussed different types of conflict that can arise in group settings, including pseudo-conflict. I found this especially fascinating, as it shows how misunderstandings alone can create conflict even when there is fundamental agreement—proof that clear communication is key.

Connclusion

In conclusion, the experience of preparing and watching these presentations has been highly educational and transformative. What started as a source of stress—my first group project in college—became a journey filled with learning, personal growth, and eye-opening insights into communication, leadership, and collaboration. I now feel better equipped to work in diverse teams, navigate intercultural interactions, and handle group dynamics with greater awareness. Most importantly, this experience reminded me of the power of communication not just as an academic subject, but as a vital life skill that can build bridges, solve problems, and inspire change.

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