Team Building and Collaboration

Trust us we got you!

The group that was the hardest for me to leave was the religious organization that I was a part of for five years.  This group consumed my life; I lived and breathed this organization.   I was there for the forming stage of this group, and went through the storming stage as we began experiences, individual and group conflicts, while setting rules and regulations.  As we established the agreed norms that governed our organization, I settled into what I felt was a comfortable fit with a group of people whom I considered my equals both religiously and socially.

     We accomplished tasks that some recognized as impossible.  First we established a not-for- profit organization, formulated and established a food co-op, and involved the entire community in the venture. Together we formed a cooperative Sunday religious class for the adults and children including an informal childcare setting for parents who had to bring their children to class. 

     The organization was going well until the leadership changed.  This person did not have a clue as to how to lead a group, she had a bullying leadership persona.   She had to have the last word,oftenf in fac,t the only word.  The group adjourned shortly after her appointment.

     I was saddened by the dismantling of our group, and I have never had the opportunity again to be a part of such a dynamic group of people.  The religious organization that we represented was also saddened and as a result of our dismantling, lost many services and funding.  As individuals we are contacted periodically hoping that the Phoenix will rise again, but it has not happened as of yet.

     I think the groups with the clearest norms are the hardest to leave.  For me I understood the direction we were moving in, and the goals that were needed for the participants and the community.  The closing of this group was devastating to me due to the lack of a closing ritual. 

     I am not sure how I will adjourn my relationships with my Walden University colleagues.  I imagine that I will keep a long distance writing relationship with most of my colleagues at Walden University.  It is difficult to fathom not communicating weekly as I do now.  However I will give my email to everyone and ask the same of my colleagues.  Adjourning is an important part of life.  When proper adjournment is not preformed it leaves an incomplete feeling.  Proper closure is important and necessary  for many aspects of life.

Communication Skills: Language, Nonverbal, Listening

I am obsessed with  The Cooking Channel, and the show “Chopped” is my favorite show.  When I received this assignment I was stumped because I watch a limited amount of television because most of the other shows are full of sex, violence, and stupidity.  When I watch this show, I get a chance to learn more about the art of cooking and I am entertained at the same time.

This show has a  panel of three notable judges and a host.  The show starts off with four cooks, each cook is given a basket for the first course of the most unlikely food items to cook.  The judges select the one that should be chopped (eliminated).   This continues course by course for a total of three courses until the last cook is standing.  This cook will win $10,000 by the process of elimination.  

I tuned the program off and watched without the volume, and it was amazing that I could read the faces and body language of the judges and the contestants as cooks competed and were judged.   The contestants that were frowning and sweating seemed to be having the hardest time constructing the meal, and the ones that looked comfortable seemed to have the basket under control.  

Once the plates were presented to the judges, their body languges comfirmed the looks on the contestants faces.  One judge smiled and nodded her head after tasting the dish and put the fork down, the second judge after tasting the food looked at the plate and with a look of disappointment fell back onto the back of his chair. The third judge picked the fork up, but he did not touch the food on the plate.

When I played this segment over with the volume, their body language had told the story.  The contestant  that was sweating did poorly.  The judges’ expressions  and body language clearly showed their feelings.  The first judge that smiled and nodded after tasting the dish said her food was delicous,  then said  that the seasoning was perfect. The second judge (fell back on the back of his chair) then said this rice is under cooked, and the third judge (who did not touch the food) said the his meat was raw.  From this exercise I learned that the body can speak unspoken words.

The communication and listening skills and strategies that would be most effective for fostering the well -being of children and their families would be the nonverbal listening skill.  We communicate so much of our inner feelings with our body and our silence.  If we listen carefully, silence can actually be deafening.  We must also understand what our own body language is communicating to others.  A smile goes a long way, and a frown goes even farther, so we must be mindful of how all of the languages we process, and how we communicate them.

Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management



What to do? What to do?



An employee was asked to attend weekly two hour professional development workshops.  Her response was “I cannot attend because I have four children and I must go home."  I reminded her that these workshops are a part of her job requirements, and important information such as; state guidelines including vital demonstrations on how to introduce cognitive development through arts and crafts.  Again she rejected the request for her workshop attendance.

I asked her if she felt it was fair to the other staff who are attending that also have children and other legitimate reasons for not attending the workshops.   She responded, " I cannot attend."  I told her since this is a job requirement you will have to make a decision to attend the workshop or resign.  The employee said “Friday will be my last day."

As I review the different strategies, perhaps I could have used the cooperative type of strategy.  Perhaps I could have offered child care for her, or allowed her to attend every other week.  This was a difficult decision, and I could not think of a solution.  When I conferred with my colleagues their position was, it is in her job description, and she should have to comply with the rules.

Who Am I as a Communicator

 

Communication is teamwork!



I was surprised and elated that what I tried to portray as a communicator also shined through to others.  Each person that took the survey answered the questionS exactly as I did.  I was afraid that perhaps I had conjured up this wonderful communicator by the name of Sauda Mujahid, so as I examined the results of the survey, I was happy that others saw in me the same light.

I listen empathically and try to connect with my parents, children, staff, and colleagues.  I respect the people that I communicate with, and respect everyone’s point of view.  If I am in disagreement with someone’s views I do not attack their character, I challenge their position, not the person

The verbal aggressiveness scale was unanimously scored by the three of us.   I maintain a good balance and consideration for others.  Their viewpoint is important to me.

The insights that I gathered from this exercise are; one, communication is important to everyone concerned, two whether we are aware or not aware we are being judged.