Reflection Observations (Fall 2025)
Opening Thought
- Every team shows a variety of styles.
- Not weaknesses, but strengths expressed in different ways.
- Balance is what matters
- Understand their own style,
- Recognize others’ styles, and
- Adjust so that no one type dominates.
The “Contractor” Type
Traits
- Strong technical contributor
- Friendly
- Reflections are short and positive.
Value:
- Gets things done independently
- Reliable on their own tasks.
Watch-for:
- May not naturally think about the whole team’s performance if they only focus on individual tasks
Question for growth:
- How do your individual contributions connect to the group’s larger success?
The “Organizer” or “Scaffolder”
Trait:
- Excellent at communication, running meetings, taking notes, sending emails.
Value:
- Provides structure and professionalism that keeps teams aligned.
Watch-for:
- Risk of being over-relied on if technical progress lags.
Question for growth:
- How do you balance organization with making technical contributions?
The “No-Nonsense Technician”
Trait:
- Direct, efficient, concise reflections;
- Focused on technical execution.
Value:
- Provides backbone — dependable for coding and implementation.
Watch-for:
- May miss interpersonal dynamics or sound curt in feedback if takes on a task-focus tunnel vision.
Question for growth:
- How can you translate your technical clarity into communication that brings others along?
The “Blunt Manager”
Trait:
- Directive, structured, holds people accountable.
Value:
- Keeps the team moving, prevents drift.
Watch-for:
- Tone can feel sharp or “bossy” even if intentions are good.
Question for growth:
- How do you combine clarity with encouragement?
The “Charismatic Surface Contributor”
Trait:
- Outgoing, present in meetings, moderates or presents well.
Value:
- Keeps morale high, creates energy in client interactions.
Watch-for:
- Contributions may stay surface-level, if not paired with technical depth.
Question for growth:
- How can you make sure your visible presence also drives deliverables?
The “Quiet Supporter”
Trait:
- Cooperative, present, polite, often in background roles.
Value:
- Provides stability and support, rarely causes friction.
Watch-for:
- Risk of near-invisibility if they don’t take on meaningful tasks.
Question for growth:
- How can you make your contributions more visible to the team?
- The “Friendship Bubble”
Trait:
- Teams built from friends report high trust, positivity, harmony.
Value:
- Strong morale, smooth collaboration, willingness to help each other.
Watch-for:
- May avoid conflict or gloss over weak contributions if honesty feels risky among friends.
- May create silos of friend circles.
Question for growth:
- How do you balance being a good friend with giving honest, professional feedback?
The “Experienced but Absent”
Trait:
- Prior work/internship experience, high technical confidence.
Value:
- Brings industry knowledge and perspective.
Watch-for:
- Outside obligations or absences can leave gaps.
Question for growth:
- How do you ensure your expertise benefits the team consistently, not just occasionally?
The “Over-Positive Reflection” Pattern
Trait:
- Peer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, critiques softened.
Value:
- Encourages group morale, minimizes tension.
Watch-for:
- Early issues get hidden until they become bigger problems.
Question for growth:
- How can constructive honesty strengthen, rather than weaken, trust in your team?
Closing Reminder
- Every style adds value.
- The point of reflection
- Not to judge,
- To notice patterns, learn from them, and adjust.
- Teams that succeed are the ones who:
- Recognize their own tendencies.
- Understand their teammates’ tendencies.
- Adapt so that every style contributes to progress.