Giving Thanks

I will like to take a minute and think about how my colleagues have been supportive through my experience of completing this course. I hope I have contributed to your education and experience as much as you have played a role in my exposure to this class. I have gained sense of knowledge and understanding as we have all encouraged and pushed each other to excel in our studies. As we enter into our specializations, I hope your journey leads you to become a more competent and skillful worker in order to effectively meet the needs of young children and their families. Good luck and victory, and I encourage you to remain focused and determined as we all reach our goal in obtaining our Masters Degree.

The Adjourning Phase

          This week I read about the five stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. The adjourning stage reflects on their accomplishments and failures as well. A celebratory dinner or a simple thank you and goodbye are enacted at this stage (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012).

As I look back and consider the adjourning phase for several of the groups in which I have been involved in, I can recall a time in my past where I traveled with my church each summer to sing in a youth choir. We worked together preparing to perform songs and for other performances as well. Day in and day out, we practiced to show ourselves approved in order to put on a great show, bonds were made; as well as, being able to build unity amongst the choir members. After the concert was over, I can look back and remember how hard it was to say goodbye. Even though we all knew we would see each other again for the next summer, we were sad to see our time together end.

Depending on the success or the failure of the group some groups are harder than others to say good bye. Groups that may not have been a success will be easier for me to departure due to the lack of accomplishment. However, in regards to a high performing group, I am sure that it will be more difficult to adjourn. The more we apply our time and effort; we become attached and fond of something’s and/or someone.

One closing ritual that I experienced while being in the youth choir, is that a dinner was held for the youth in order to celebrate our achievement. We took several of pictures with one another; as well as, exchanging contact numbers in hopes to communicate with one another even after the program.

As we become closer into completing our Master’s degree; it will be difficult to part ways. However, I plan to keep in touch through the blogs that we have all created. I will thank everyone for their dedication and effort that we all have put forth into this program. Members may also opt to maintain friendships even if they will no longer be working together (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012). I hope we may all continue to work together in order to ensure that we all are doing our parts in the EC field.

Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because naturally all things will have to come to an end and the adjourning process prepares us for this stage. It also helps us to understand that while we work in groups, we should take the responsibility seriously because there will be timeframes in order to accomplish a task. The more time you waste will be the more time you lose.

 

 

Reference

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Two Strategies in Managing/Resolving Conflict More Productively

While attempting to resolve conflict I would use two strategies as a guide in order to allow me to address and to alleviate any negative interactions.

1)    Compromise

2)    3S Skills

Conflict cannot always be resolved. But every conflict does, eventually, have some outcome (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012). In my opinion, during a struggle of conflict, there will be a time when two or more interdependent people will have to give up a little in order to gain a little (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012) while compromising for the more effective method of decision making. Each party wants to be heard and understood; therefore, a mutual agreement must be developed in order for each party to feel valued and heard. This method also meets the needs of others because it may allow for all to express themselves without feeling wrong, judged, and/or criticized.

The 3S skills may resolve conflict as well because it forces a person to gain a new viewpoint by stepping away from the situation and seeing the conflict in a different view. To gain perspective and see from the Third Side you need to Go to the Balcony. The Balcony is a mental place of calm and perspective where you can keep your eyes on what is truly important. Going to the balcony means taking a distanced view of close things. What do you see from up there? How does that alter your perspective (The Center for Nonviolent Communication)? This method allows you to open up to new ideas and possibilities.

Going to the Balcony allows you to speak and listen with a measure of detachment. It permits you to be open to new ideas and possibilities. Improving your ability to go to the balcony can have a positive impact on conflicts around you. Sometimes the simple act of witnessing a conflict, paying respectful attention to the parties and what they are saying, can shift the outcome (The Center for Nonviolent Communication).

  While experiencing conflict it is crucial that we take time to formulate a plan in order to be productive as we face conflict. We must be conscious of our own feelings/emotions; as well as, being certain that they are being controlled, so that our feelings/emotions are not acted out in a negative manner.

Reference

          O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

          The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (n.d). The center of nonviolent communication.