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Successful Collaboration and Team Dynamics
- 1. Successful Collaboration and Team Dynamics Corey Colosky, Julie HA, Alexis Poore, Tawnya Steeber COM/516 June 8, 2015 Jo-Ann Lynch
- 2. Collaboration is important for group success. “There is no “I” in team” (“There’s No “I” in Team,” n.d). Collaboration is about coming together and growing through ideas and experiences. No teacher will have the same experience, this opens a path for discussion. This also teaches us to be more mindful and respectful of others opinions and ideals. “…adults can share the practical knowledge that comes from their life and work experience” (Learning Team Toolkit, Why Learning Teams?, 2014). Value of Team Collaboration for Academic Success Alexis Poore
- 3. When group members communicate, tasks are able to be completed in a timely manner. This leaves room for editing. As individuals we all have our own strengths In a group, each member should be designated with a task they can excel at. Team projects make members feel valued with their contribution towards the group to achieve their common goal. Value of Team Collaboration for Academic Success Alexis Poore
- 4. Learning Styles Strengthen Team Dynamics The different ways in which people learn. Body language, facial expressions, diagrams, and illustrated text. Verbal lectures, discussions, and collaboration. Moving, doing, and touching. Tawnya Steeber Figure 1: Learning Styles (Google Images).
- 5. Learning Team Charters = Successful Team Collaboration The University of Phoenix Learning Team Charter. Step-by-step plan that helps students build an effective and efficient team. Student communication and collaboration. Tawnya Steeber
- 6. Different Learning Styles Evaluate – Analyze Collaborate Set goals Open forum for conflict resolution Learning Team Charters = Successful Team Collaboration Tawnya Steeber
- 7. Conflict is NOT a bad thing Conflict could be bad if handled the wrong way You must have the correct mindset Handling conflict well could result in: Deeper Learning Deeper Relationships Individual Growth Strategies In Learning From Conflict Corey Colosky
- 8. Be willing to take personal risk Break the “code of silence” Do not be afraid Use it to research deeper to find the truth Listen to the other person Open atmosphere is needed Develop protocols Do not take things personally Strategies In Learning From Conflict Corey Colosky
- 9. Listen Be Courteous Be Clear Crucial Communication Skills Corey Colosky
- 10. Collaboration Productivity Communication Effective Components Necessary for Team Success Julie HA
- 11. Know yourself Set personal goals Motivational Strategies to Increase Productivity Julie HA
- 12. Learning Team Toolkit. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.apollolibrary.com/Library/ltt/toolkit1.aspx -Alexis- There's No "I" in Team. (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.knowyourphrase.com/phrase-meanings/Theres-no-I-in- team.html -Alexis- Figure 1 Learning Styles [Image file]. Retrieved from http://mind.server286.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Learning- Styles.jpg -Tawnya- Learning Team Toolkit. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.apollolibrary.com/Library/ltt/toolkit1.aspx -Tawnya- Yarborough, M.H. (1994). Team building. A new direction for HR. HR. focus, 71(7), retrieved June 3, 2015 from Learning Team toolkit, subheading Team Learning. -Tawnya- References
- 13. Gray, Larry. (2003, May). Bury your opinion, shortchange your team. Harvard Management Update, 8(5), 2. Retrieved June 4, 2015 from web.a.ebscohost.com -Corey- **All pictures except for Tawnya’s referenced picture is from MicroSoft Word Clipart References
Editor's Notes
- When I think of the word team the first word that comes to mind is collaboration. Collaboration is one of the most important values of a team to achieve group success. As individuals we must remember that “there is no “I” in team and that we must trust in the other members in our group. Collaboration also brings growth not just as a group but individually as well, when working with others we are able to learn off of other experiences. We as teachers will never have the same experience as another teacher, for each student and their situations are unique to each child. What we can do is communicate to each other for ideas and try to figure out collectively how the issue could be solved. We must remember when having a group discussion we must be respectful to others opinions, we all have our own point of view on a situation and we must be mindful of each other’s beliefs.
- Another way to achieve success is for all members to be effectively communicating with each other when it comes to projects. If one member is confused about a task they have been assigned, that member should feel comfortable enough to communicate this confusion sooner rather than at the last minute so that there is not a time crunch to finish. A team should be able to take their tasks complete them as soon as possible with a deadline also agreed and established. This way the team has time to collaborate on the end result and make corrections if necessary. Before starting an assignment it is a good idea to establish every one’s strengths. This way each member can be given a task that they can excel at in each assignment. Last, a successfully completed assignment makes each individual member feel valued for their contribution. This way in future assignments each member will want to have pride more in the work they produce for the group to achieve continued success.
- Diverse learning styles will add that extra element that a learning team will need. Each member of the team will add their own special uniqueness because of their learning styles. Different learning styles will add value and expertise to an assignment or project. Without our differences and experiences a team's dynamics could become ineffective.
- When you start your journey with the University of Phoenix (UOP) whether you are a ground student or an online student you will be required to complete a learning team charter. Learning team charters were instituted by UOP so that students would be prepared for the workforce. There are so many instances in the real world where working in a team situation will be required. Classes at the UOP help prepare each student when they will be out in the workforce no matter what their degree is in. Having a charter will keep students accountable for their work and help students get to know each other through collaboration and cooperative learning. Charters are used as support system in which there is a community of like minded people who are striving to achieve their academic goals. The learning team charter will look like this. Names and contact information Ground rules and guidelines ( general expectations for each member) Time management and involvement Fair and even contribution and collaboration Special considerations In the learning team environment students will learn how to evaluate themselves and their teammates and give constructive feedback. Teams will analyze individual and collaborative methods used to implement and complete assignments and projects and learn to set certain criteria and measure progress using time management strategies. Learning teams are essential to the UOP academic program.
- As stated in the Learning Team toolkit “Effective collaboration is a fundamental learning goal.” Neusch stated “The purpose of teams, empowerment and all world-class initiatives is to improve performance, not because it is a new-age thing to do.” (Yarborough, 1994). First, a successful team will bring their unique learning styles to the table and add their expertise and value to the team and the project. Then, team members will look at all the elements of the project, build the expectations of the team and make sure that each member agreeable in the steps taken for the final outcome of the project/assignment. Next, a successful team will have an open forum for conflict resolution. It will be agreed upon before hand how conflict situations will be dealt with and the team will ensure that these rules are followed. Finally, teamwork can be stressful but it can also be fulfilling. Teams must have patience and understanding with each other and ensure each member supports the assignment that they are working to complete.
- Conflict is not a bad thing. In fact, it can lead to much deeper learning than with no conflict at all. But this all depends on how conflict is handled and our mindset when dealing with disagreements. Disagreements will happen, but handling this well could really be a good thing. It has the potential to result in deeper learning, deeper relationships, and growth as an individual. Deeper learning is created because the people in disagreement will have to research to support their points, as well as discuss with each other their point of view. Relationships develop to a deeper level when there is conflict that has been resolved. You learn to respect each other and their opinions, which results in a closer bond. People can grow individually from conflict by learning communication skills, researching skills, interpersonal skills, perseverance, and more.
- In order to learn from conflict, one must be willing to take personal risk, use conflict as a motivation to research deeper to find the truth, and be willing to listen to the other individual. Many times we do not like to put ourselves out there in a group discussion. We are afraid of what others might think of our idea, or fear that we will take the group off task by our contribution. We need to humble ourselves enough to realize that by not contributing we could be hindering the team from its full potential. When everyone in the group has this fear mentality, this could result in what is called the “code of silence.” This means that the norm is to not say anything, and if you say something then you are considered abnormal. This is a very devastating view for the team to have because no or very limited progress will be made. In order to perform at a higher level, this code of silence must be broken. We must also research deeper to find truth if we are to learn from our conflict. This process of research will benefit you as an individual, but also the team as a whole. This benefits because now you have a much fuller understanding of the concept, and now you can share your discoveries with the team. A third way to learn from conflict is to be willing to listen to the other person. In order for this to occur, everyone must feel safe to share their ideas and opinions. If there is not an open atmosphere, then we have once again our “code of silence.” To aid in this open atmosphere, protocols must be developed. This will eliminate any tendency to behave in an unorderly and uncivilized manner towards each other. No matter what is said, you should not attack the person but his ideas. When the other individual starts to disagree with your ideas, you should not take it personally. Once you start taking things personally, that is when things could escalate quickly.
- In order to have an effective learning team, there are a few communication skills that are crucial to have: listening, being courteous, and being clear. Listening is probably one of the most overlooked aspects of communication. However, without listening you could be talking about something completely different than the other individual. There is absolutely no benefit from this and is waste of time. Being courteous to each other means that you are respectful of the other person’s ideas and opinions. You do not have to agree with the individual, but you must be willing to listen and to treat him as a human being. A very famous quote says “no one cares what you know until they know that you care.” A third communication skill is to be clear in what you say and write. If we are not clear, then thing could be misinterpreted, resulting in conflict or a poor outcome from the group.
- Although communication is listed last, it is vital to remember that each team task begins and ends with good communication. If you think of it as a Big Mac, communication is the bun – top, middle, and bottom! Collaboration - For team success to be achieved, members must be able to collaborate and establish roles as well as equitably divide assignments. This involves setting deadlines, expressing expectations, and a full understanding of what the assignment entails. As the team works together, collaboration should become easier as member strengths will begin to take shape. Productivity – Creating timelines and expectations is only the first step. It is the talk that needs to be followed up by action. Breaking down group projects into manageable check in points is necessary. For instance, in this assignment, each member had tasks to complete and a “draft” deadline. This deadline allowed for plenty of time to put together the final draft for all members to review and improve prior to submission. Communication – Again, communication is the main component in reaching team success. Utilizing the Charter will help guide how the team wants to communicate – email, phone, texts, etc. For example, our team has utilized email as the preferred method of communication. This allows us to send messages to the entire group at once and respond to the entire group. Email allows for flexibility of sending messages regardless of time zones and avoids scheduling issues. Although it is difficult to work in a team spread across the Country, establishing strong communication guidelines and routines will make it possible.
- Each of us has his/her personal reason for enrolling in the University of Phoenix to obtain our master’s degree. Know Yourself – Take some time to think about what motivates you. Why are you completing this program? What does obtaining a master’s degree do for you in the future? Once you have the answer, put it in pictures. Personally, I want to complete this program to increase my retirement amount. Also, I am interested in teaching online classes in the future and feel this experience will help tremendously. I can visualize what a difference having this degree will make in my daily life. The initial pay increase will go towards creating financial freedom while the increase in retirement funds will provide a secure future for my family. I can “feel” the relief and visualize trips we will take and time we will be able to spend together. Again, this is personal. You must know yourself to find your motivation. Set Personal Goals – It may seem silly but when I finished the first week of this class I treated myself to a pedicure. I had set a goal to finish on Sunday, and when I did, I rewarded myself. Now granted, I can’t do that every week but it felt good. Goals can be tangible or intangible which again, is very personal. Take the time to create goals to keep you motivated. Maybe a date night after finishing writing a paper or reading a non-academic book if you finish the week’s work early. Write down your short and long term goals and keep them at the forefront of everything you do. My husband and I have been planning to visit Hawaii for the last 28 years. We will be going as soon I receive my master’s degree!