Gratitude and Farewell.... For now Wk8

As I prepare to move on into another course, I would like to take a minute to thank you all,my colleagues, for all of the support. We have came a long way, and for most of us we are almost at the finish line. I wish you the best in your fields and specializations of choice. Lets all remember what we learned from this course, and continue to make a difference in our communities. We made it!


Respectfully,

Ashley Wilkins-Miller

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work......wk6

"This week you read about the five stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Consider the adjourning phase for several of the groups in which you have been involved. Think about which aspects of the groups made for the hardest good-bye. Are high-performing groups hardest to leave? Groups with the clearest established norms? Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? Why? What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced? How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master's degree in this program? Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?"


When I think about the groups that I was in that was hard to leave, I think about the key things that grew our bond. Most of which was because we built a personal tie to one another. We understood each other, and we respected one another. There was one group that I did not like, but we worked well together, and honestly I wanted a great grade. So, I sucked up my emotional feelings and pushed through. For the groups that I participated in and found it hard to leave we would usually do something to commemorate our time together. Whether we had dinner, a party, or some kind of outing. Working with an online community is a bit different. We have not met personally, and honestly for me I have to physically meet someone to form a tie with them. Adjourning is an essential part of teamwork, because it places a conclusion to the experience. It gives the team members closure on a chapter in their lives.

Conflict Resolution Week 5

For Week 5, we discussed conflict resolution. We were asked

"Think about any disagreements, or conflicts, you have recently experienced or are currently experiencing at work with a supervisor or colleague, or someone in your personal life. Share at least two strategies you have learned about that might help you manage or resolve the conflict more productively, and why these strategies might be effective. For example, could you suggest a compromise? Could you look for a broader range of solutions to your disagreement? Could you use some of the principles of nonviolent communication or the 3 R's to better help you resolve this conflict?

Also, if appropriate, ask your colleagues for their input and advice regarding, if not specific problems, how they have learned to be more effective communicators as it relates to conflict resolution skills."


I would suggest that you take on a viewpoint of "how does this conflict affect the other person". When you do that, you will automatically have more understanding view point. I have also learned that each conflict is different, and must be treated as such. A compromise is not effective in a conflict that is about morals, or religious beliefs (in some cases. I have learned to not be so emotional when in the middle of a conflict, because it clouds judgement, creates impulsive descisions, and makes the person selfish. I could most likely use all of the skills learned this week, but the key is to know when to use certain ones.

Communication Skills vs Perception WK4

Hello all. This week we were asked

"For your blog this week, think about the similarities and differences between how you evaluated yourself as a communicator and how others evaluated you. What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why? What other insights about communication did you gain this week? Choose at least two to share with others through your blog and consider how each might inform your professional work and personal life."


My mother's perception of my comunication skills.'

" I believe that you have great communication skills. You are a great speaker, and you are attentive to others opinion. You do, at times talk over some people, but I do not believe that it is on purpose. You are a passionate person. I believe that it is purely excitement."



My teacher's perception of my communication skills.

" You have a way with words. You can get your point across without raising your voice. You care about others, and it shows when you speak with them."


My perception.....

I believe that I have some great communication skills, but I also have a lot to learn. As my mother stated, I do at times speak over people when i am extremely excited.



I have learned that true communication is a two way street. Listening is just as important, if not more, than speaking. I have learned that communication is not fully reliant on words, but on body language as well. Knowing this will prepare me for so many opportunities.