Team Dynamics and Conflict Resolution in Work Teams

"Goals for Life at the University Of Phoenix Online"

"Eric, I am not sure this program is right for you. Perhaps you should take some time to do a little soul searching". These were the last words I ever heard from my percussion instructor at East Carolina University in 1989. Shortly after that conversation, I left college for good. Leaving college for good, ended when I enrolled at the University of Phoenix. This paper will describe my goals for completing my education.

There are three primary goals I will achieve during my time with the University of Phoenix. The first goal is obvious. I want to complete my degree. There have been many challenges in my life since leaving East Carolina University. Many of those challenges were a direct result of my failing to finish what I started in 1985. I recall a time before my wedding in 1996 when I reflected on how many things I started and never finished in my life, and the regret was overwhelming. Since my wedding day, I have strived to live my life in such a way that I would always finish what I started. Of course, everyone told me how tough marriage could be, so I have spent nine years making sure that I finish that project, by making it my number one priority. Now that my life seems to be as stable as ever, it is time to finish that which I left undone so long ago.

Another goal that I wish to achieve is that of personal fulfillment. I always get uplifted and feel a significant sense of personal pride when I finish things now. Whether it is work related or just doing things around the house, when the task is complete I often get a second wind and am off to the races again. Never having completed my degree is often a heavy mental burden for me. There have been times in my career where the lack of a degree has kept me from advancing, or getting work assignments, though I have ample experience and knowledge in most cases to handle whatever is asked of me. When these things come up, I tend to get a little down on myself, the self esteem begins to erode, and I start looking for an exit. It was a situation like this that became the catalyst for my finally taking the plunge and getting enrolled at the University of Phoenix. Recently a client requested that my company provide a technical resource for a project to which I was assigned. In reviewing my resume, the client essentially told my company they were not interested in having me as a technical resource because I have not completed my degree and I the degree that I did not complete was a BA in Music Performance and Education. I guess the director of that group could not understand how a hippie drummer could figure out how to write complex database programs without having a degree in computer science or software engineering. One lesson that the experience taught me was to value knowledge in everyone regardless of their educational background. The experience also strengthened my