Adjourning

Now it's Time to Say Goodbye...

I was a part of a non-profit group that was organized to plan a fund raising gala. We went through all of the stages of team building; forming, storming norming, performing and adjourning. There were good points and low points of this team. The major thing that I noticed about our group when we were at that adjourning stage , we were all so connected and  so grateful that our endeavors proved to be a great for success for the organization we were planning the fundraising for. To bring closure to this stage, we all said that we would keep in touch with one another and we had sort of a pot luck, job well done meeting to close out. It was hard to leave as we had worked well together and were successful in or goal of fundraising for the organization

 

When I get to the adjourning stage of my studies here at Walden, I imagine I would look out for keeping contact with individuals I had a great rapport with. Departing would be bitter-sweet as we have become interdependent and we contribute to the learning of one another. 

The adjourning stage is essential stage of teamwork as it allows the involved individuals to reflect on strengths and weaknesses of the team so that these issues can be noted for future references. Adjourning reminds us of our interdependence we have with others and how much we need others to get along in life.

Conflict Resolution

Two Strategies for Conflict Resolution

 

 

Based on the scores from the communications evaluations taken last week, I have begun to put operatives in place in my professional as well as personal life to better communicate with others. My strategies would include using the nonviolent communication skills utilizing the “2 Parts and 4 Components of NVC”  and utilizing the Three R’s.

The NVC Model suggests this:

Emphatically Listening        Honestly Expressing

                                           Observations                         Observations

                                           Feelings                                     Feelings

                                           Needs                                          Needs

                                           Requests                                    Requests

 

Using this model for communication can enhance relationship so there are little misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

 

The three R’s communication strategy is based on communication that is respectful, reflective and reciprocal rather than reactive.

 I must admit that my communication with people I am familiar with was more reactive than reflective.  The evaluations helped me realize this was not the most productive way to communicate on any level.  "Unproductive conflict is poorly managed conflict and has a negative impact on individuals and relationships" (O'Hair & Wiemann, p. 220).  I began to use both strategies and immediately saw results in getting my needs and request met in communication. Wow!

How about some of you? Have you been successful in implementing strategies for better communication?




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

Blog

Operation Communication Evaluation

Well, we are evaluating our communicating styles and taking notice of the differences and similarities of how we evaluated ourselves and how others evaluated us. This is how I stack up:

I enjoy communicating with others and tend to prefer listening to others. I am also non-confrontational and try to look for ways to communicate that present less “static”

The evaluation of my communication as given by someone else says that I am confident and comfortable with speaking in a large group. I am also confident with talking to others I do not know. I am viewed as being respectful even when angered in conversation; My husband says different, however.

This did not come as a surprise but my conversation is seen as informational, as in I do not engage in much small talk. I like to listen to others but I have little patience for those that usurp and dominate a conversation. I will make excuses to escape!!! My score read as action oriented by another.

I can say that the greatest insight about this week’s learning about communication is how random and mindless our thoughts can be when we first encounter people. As we speak we learn more of the people we are speaking to and begin to file yet another experience in our minds to fit additional patterns of schema. When dealing with our students and parents as education professionals, everything we say is measured by them.  

When making mindless assumptions based on past experiences it is important that we let the children and the parent speak to us and tell us what they desire for their children. The parents depend so much on our being professional in every way.

This is eye opening, good stuff I tell you!

My Scores

Score; Communication Anxiety 37 - mild

Score; Verbal Aggressiveness 68 – moderate

Score;  Group 1 – people oriented

Family Evaluated Score; communication Anxiety – 33 – Low

Family Evaluated Score;  Verbal Aggressiveness – 69 – Significant (according to my husband)

Friend Evaluated Score:  Listening styles – Group 2 – Action Oriented