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Linna Liu

Prof. Laura Ainsley

BUSORG 1020

11.30.2024

Organizational Observation: A Look at My School Days in China

Today, in this organizational observation, I would like to explore my school experience in

China. As I grew up in China, I always enjoyed going to school. My school was large, the

buildings were high, and the playground was attractive. Usually, I had many great days there

with my friends and tried to learn as much as possible and play different games.

I remember waking up early every morning, picking up my school bag, and walking to

school. Other children occupied the roads with their bags on their backs talking and giggling as

usual. At school, there was always an assembly in the morning before they began with the day’s

activities. In the playground, we would line up in a neat formation singing the national anthem

and exercising together. It was a special way to start the day and feel part of the group.

My Classroom and Teachers

Our classroom was full of desks arranged in rows. On the walls were posters of math

problems, Chinese poems, and drawings made by students. On the walls were pictures of math

problems, Chinese poems, and drawings made by students. I also had a teacher I did not like, her

name was Ms. Zhang: she was kind but severe. She always wanted us to collaborate and work

together with others, particularly during the group assignments. I recall a day when we were

assigned a science project to be done. My team worked together to figure out how plants grow.
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We divided tasks, shared ideas, and cheered when we got it right. This made me learn the value

of teamwork and that every member plays a crucial role in the team.

The Team Dynamics

Each group project requires the participation of team members and the interactions

among them are bound to affect the outcome of the task. The very first issue was to determine

how we would structure ourselves for work. Some assumed more responsibilities that would

make them leaders while some preferred to undertake less challenging duties. I saw that these

roles were not necessarily given based on skill or interest but based on personality. There are

always students who will take a leadership role, and there are those who will be content to follow

instructions. These observations caused me to think about the concept of leadership in the

context of organizational behavior.

At times, some conflicts arose when members had different opinions over certain

projects. Once, Mei, my classmate, decided to draw a butterfly for an assignment, whereas, I

believed that a sunflower would be more appropriate. Ms. From Zhang, I came to understand that

problems could be solved by listening to each other and integrating ideas. Finally, we drew a

picture of a sunflower with butterflies flying around it. On that day I understood that it is only

possible to solve problems through communication.

School Events and Festivals

The festival was a favorite part of the school. We had festivities throughout the year such

as Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Sports Day. On Sports Day all the students

in the school took part in races, relays, games, etc. I participated in the long jump event but

unfortunately, I did not manage to win my friends were there to encourage me. I also understood
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that motivation is not in winning or receiving a prize, but it is in the encouragement and the hard

work put into achieving it.

During Chinese New Year, every person and every place in the school was decorated with

red lanterns and paper cuts. Every class acted out a play or a dance, which was fun to be in.

Preparing for these events required a lot of planning and coordination. Our teachers divided the

class into groups, and each group was responsible for a specific activity, for example, the making

of costumes, designing of props, or rehearsing the show. This was quite entertaining to watch as

everybody seemed to do everything as if they were on the same team.

Challenges in School

School wasn’t always easy. Looking back, I can remember times when I had concerns

about examinations. For instance, it was challenging to prepare for exams in a situation where

there were many topics to learn. My parents and teachers said that I should organize my time

better and not be so lazy. I created a timetable so that I could study in small intervals of time for

the whole day. This was the first lesson in time management which in turn helped me gain

confidence.

Another challenge was to be on good terms with classmates who were different from me.

Some students are very shy, while others are very noisy and they move around like they are free.

Our teacher encouraged us to respect diversity and appreciate everyone’s unique qualities.

Slowly I was able to make close friends that I had no idea about before and I realized that it is

more enriching to deal with different people.

Lessons for Life

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Looking back, my school days taught me more than just math, science, and history. From

them I was introduced to cooperation, the principles of the solution-focused approach,

determination, and hope. For instance, during rehearsals for a dance performance, it was

challenging to coordinate with others. However, after some time, we managed to do it with the

help of constant practice. But with perseverance, we finally succeeded. These small lessons

shaped my character and gave me skills I still use today. These little things helped to build

character and teach me things that can still apply to this day.

Leadership was also taught at school though it was not well understood. When I was a

class monitor for one year, I had to help the teacher arrange activities, enforce discipline, and

resolve minor problems among students. It was a big challenge but it made me feel I was capable

of doing it. I realized that a leader can motivate people to work harder when he or she is good to

everyone.

Moreover, I also got to discover many things about myself and also about the dynamics

of a group. I realized that I tend to avoid conflict, and this sometimes makes it difficult for me to

voice my opinions in a group setting. However, I realized that whenever there were

disagreements, I could come out with better solutions to present my opinions and help the team

achieve its objectives. From this, I learned that I need to be more assertive and proactive in my

communication skills which are crucial in any organization.

From the group’s perspective, I observed that we all had different strengths and

weaknesses. Some of us were better at research, while others excelled at organizing and

presenting. This made me realize the importance of diversity in a team. Diversity in teams leads

to better decision-making and problem-solving because team members bring different

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perspectives and ideas. Our group’s diversity was one of the reasons why we were able to

complete the project successfully.

My Friends and Fun Times

The best memories of school are with my friends. We shared snacks, helped each other

with homework, and played games during recess. We loved playing “hide and seek” and jumping

rope. Sometimes, we stayed after school to talk and laugh about our dreams and silly things that

happened during the day.

Once, our teacher organized a field trip to a local museum. We explored old artifacts,

paintings, and traditional Chinese clothes. It was exciting to see history come alive. After

returning to the bus, we sang songs and shared stories, which gave the impression that we were

one large happy group of friends. It was difficult for me to leave my school in China. On my last

day with my friends, I agreed to remain good friends no matter the distance that may be between

us. My teachers gave me advice: “Always keep learning and never forget where you come

from.” Their words stayed in my heart.

What I Learned About Organizations

Looking back, my school environment encouraged the perception of working like a team.

In terms of the roles, our teachers were like the strategic apex in the organization, who were

directing and coordinating, and who also set objectives. As for me and many other students, we

were the operating core, the ones who performed the processes of learning and development.

The school staff was very helpful in ensuring that all the activities were a success. Everyone had

their function in this system, and all of us collectively built an environment where people could

be happy.
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I also learned the importance of organizational culture. At our school, respect,

diligence, and compassion were considered to be the most important principles. These values

defined relations between employees, as well as ways we solved problems. In case of any

conflict, we were able to address the conflict and come up with a solution immediately.

Thus, I can say that my school days in China were the best period of my life. I learned the

culture of working with others, listening to your teammates, and value for everybody. I have not

forgotten these lessons and they have helped me in many ways. I appreciate all the memories,

friends, and teachers that made those years such a joy.