Team Building and Collaboration

Team Building and Collaboration

          Every year we have to create a closing ceremony at the end of the school year with all of the students from 1^st to 5^th grade. All of the teachers are assigned a role and are in charge of doing whatever is necessary for that role. The closing ceremony consists of elaborate sceneries, dances, musical performances, and drama acts. Every year we dread this part of the year because it is very stressful and because there is always so much to be done. The good part is that all of my staff members work collaboratively, with excitement, and eagerness.

          Last year we pulled of such a great show that the same night we were receiving emails of appreciation and many praises from all of the parents. I believe that when a group works eagerly with each other, everyone respects each other, and everything comes out right, those are the groups that have a harder goodbye. When we see each other again after the kids are already on vacation, we like to sit around the teacher’s lounge and talk about the night and what worked really well and what we could possibly change for the following year. Besides this group of coworkers, I had never had any type of adjourning process within a group. In all other groups I have been a part of, when the project or task was complete everyone would go back to their normal lives and not talk about anything.

                Adjourning I feel is important because it helps you assess the group and their efforts as well as the process that was done. Sharing ideas and experiences of the group is a great way to build to be part of better groups and more effective group work. Since we do not physically interact much with the people within this master’s class, I don’t think adjourning from this group will be very difficult. Although we do share a lot with each other, there is something special that happens when you work with someone face to face. Our closing thought at the end of each course I feel is a great little way to say thanks and move on.  

Conflict Management

Conflict Management 

          I am currently in an argument with my boyfriend`s ex-girlfriend (and mother of his child). My friends and I call it `baby momma drama`. This woman is constantly calling me and telling me all of these negative things about my boyfriend as well as insulting me and calling me names. Although this is a very difficult circumstance to be in, I have been trying to get better at managing her and her arguments. This week I have learned about trying to not be judgmental and looking at the argument from a ¨outsiders¨ view. From reading the principles for NVC, I am trying very hard to be respectful when talking to her as well as showing her understanding and empathy from being in her situation. She is very immature when she speaks which makes it difficult to respect someone is talking in a `baby talk` tone of voice. I will also try to suggest better ways for her to overcome the hardship she is going through. The most important part that I am have been focusing on during all of this is respect. It has been hard for me to maintain that respect because of her vocabulary and hatred towards me. I will continue to try and be the nigger person and `kill her with kindness` as they say.  

           I know this is very hard and that this is not the best position to be in but I have no hard feelings towards her and wish she would just move on and leave us alone.

          Speaking with my colleagues, I noticed that all of them mentioned mutual respect when communicating with others. When dealing with conflicts, some of them rather just walk away from the situation while another confronts them but with much respect as well as an open mind. The one that approaches conflict says that what works for her is that she is not afraid of being wrong. If the other person brings a clear point to the table and makes her realize her mistake, she is okay with backing down. When I mentioned to them the NVC principles, they all agreed that separating your feelings from the argument at hand would be very difficult but that it would be a very good strategy. Many times we let our feelings overcome the sentiment of the argument and make us say and do things we might not mean to.

Ways I communicate

Ways I communicate

          In this week’s evaluations about our communication skills, I was a little surprised by how I was rated. The funny thing is that I was surprised by the fact that others rated me almost exactly the same way that I rated myself. The only section where others rated me differently was in communication anxiety. I think there was a lower level of anxiety when others rated me because they really cannot tell how I feel on the inside before speaking in public or to a group. I also think I hide my fears very well. Although it might look like I am calmed and relaxed, my heart beats faster and I get the nervous bladder.

            Another thing that surprised me was that others rated me the same as I rated myself in verbal aggressiveness. Many times I don’t think about what I say before I say it. I am eager to get my point across and just say what is on my mind. Also, many of the questions on the survey depended on the environment and the people I am communicating with.

           This week I learned a little about myself and, the questions on the survey made me think about the way I speak to others. Through the results I received from the surveys I realized that my listening skills are people oriented, I am very trusting of others, and build emotional relationships which can interfere with proper judgment. Also, through the questions in the surveys, I realized that I need to be more aware of other people’s feelings and viewpoints before I try and reason or attack their point.  I feel comfortable speaking in public although it might frighten me at times.