Communication and Collaboration Final Blog

This week I attended a training and participated in an activity that was very appropriate to this current class on Communication and Collaboration.  The activity involved 5 participants who were each given an envelope that contained three pieces of a puzzle.  But, the pieces did not match .  For the activity, the members of the group had to exchange pieces to gather three pieces that would fit together to form a square.  However, according to the directions,  the participants couldn't talk and couldn't take from anyone else.  At first the group still tried individually to put their pieces together.  Then some of the members decided to give others some of their pieces.  As a result one person had a completed puzzle while everyone else still looked on.  Eventually, everyone got the idea and began to freely give their pieces to the others and quickly each person was able to complete their puzzle.  This simple activity had many good lessons.  First, it made us realize the importance of communication.   This activity would have been so much easier had the participants been able to talk to one another.  Second, a lesson about collaboration was learned.  Had the group not shared what they had or did not give up something to others,  no one would have been able to complete their puzzle.  A willingness to give and put the needs of the group ahead of individual needs helped the group make progress and achieve it's goals.  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my colleagues from this course.  I appreciate your willingness to share and collaborate.  I know that I learned more as I read all of your discussions and blogs and got feedback from all of you.  Thank you!   

The Stages of Teams- Adjourning

Teams go through various stages including forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning.  Forming is when a new team comes together and the members are getting to know each other.  The storming stage follows as conflict occurs over roles, relationships and ideas.  Teams who learn how to get past the conflict and work together then enter the norming stage.  During this stage team members put aside individual goals to achieve the goals of the team.  Some teams stop at the norming stage.  However some teams move onto the performing stage where they can problem solve quickly and effectively.  At this stage team members trust each other, they are interdependent and can work without the guidance of the leader.  At the adjourning stage, the team members say good bye to each other as the project ends. 
I have been a part of various teams during my career.  Some teams that I have worked in have never gotten past the storming stage whereas others have functioned at the performing stage.  I believe that adjourning from a group that is performing well together is the toughest group to leave.   One team that was difficult for me to leave was a group of child care providers who I worked with in a consortium.   The group was together for almost 10 years.  During that time the members came to trust each other and work well together.  At the end of the consortium, we had a luncheon as a celebration.   The members still keep in touch years after the end of our group. 
Adjourning is an important stage for teams, because it offers members an opportunity to celebrate successes and say goodbye to each other.  In preparing to finish my degree in the next 6 months, I will be saying goodbye to a group of people that I have experienced this journey with.  Although not a traditional team, we have come to know each other through the weekly discussions and posts.  It will be a wonderful to be able to celebrate the conclusion of our classes and the receipt of our degrees together. 

Dealing with Conflict in Relationships

Handling conflict in life is inevitable.  Whether in work or my personal life there are times when I have had to handle a disagreement.   I currently work with a child care practioner who often sees things very differently than I do.  We share similar goals because we both want her program to do well and we both want what is best for the children and families.  We differ however because I often read rules and regulations very literally whereas she looks at them very liberally, challenging what is allowable and what is not by "reading between the lines".  Currently this practitioner has been asking for my "approval" of something she would like to include in a grant application.  I am not sure of an answer because I have no knowledge or experience that what she is requesting will be allowable.  The provider however wants me to say that I agree.   We have conversations and although we haven't found agreement, we have maintained a working relationship.  Some things that have helped me to manage this type of conflict is that I don't involve my emotions.  Even though I am frustrated at times,  I always maintain my professionalism and talk with this practioner without getting emotional, using the "It's not personal, it's business" approach to the conflict.   Second,  I handle the conflict and don't avoid it- I remain open to discussion.    Third, when I am not certain of an answer to this practioners questions, I ask others in my office to get clarification.  I focus on the facts and avoid getting into a philosophical argument with the practioner. 

To my colleagues who are also taking this current class on communication,  do you deal with situations like this and how do you maintain working relationships when you have a conflict or a misundersstanding?