Final Blog Post

I would like to say thank you to all of the classmates that have shared thier wisdom and oponions about the proper ways to become a better communicator. I have learned the importance of understanding that communication comes in many forms and we have to be aware that body language can speak for itself. I will continue to be positive and speak with parents in a pofessional and open manner. I would often refer to the methods of communicating if problems arise.

To everyone: I wish you much success in your future endevors. !!!

Erica Watson

Non-Verbal Cues- Week 2 Assignment

The television show that I decided to watch was House. I normally do not watch this show because it has definitely made a dramatic change in the last few years. One additional thing is that the characters have change as well as their job titles. It was refreshing to watch the show without the sound however I did get lost due to the fact that I couldn’t hear anything. The beginning of the show started with a serious yet fast pace scene that resulted in a child falling out during a soccer game. While watching the show without sound. I noticed that the characters seem to fight and argue a lot while saving people’s lives. This was very obvious even without sound. I also felt that the lead character in the show really had feelings for his co-worker due to the fact that he walked differently and acted differently around her.

After about 30 minutes I decided to turn on the sound and begin to watch the show with sound. I noticed that the people were discussing the problems and issues of the clients. I feel that the characters had a funny way of showing their appreciation and love for the other people on the show. I feel that the nonverbal ways that the characters acted gave a sense of unity and friendship.

I feel that this activity gave me insight into the ways that people communicate without using verbal cues. I think that many people need to try this activity in any form. It will give people an insight into the ways that people act without speaking.

Team Building

While thinking about the adjourning phase of the groups that I have worked with in the past, I have to focus my attention on the importance of working in a positive manner with all of the people in my group. The aspect of the groups that made for the hardest good bye would have to be the forming and storming part. Due the fact that each member of the group had a different problem or issue, I found it hard to end the activity. I believe that the groups that are high-performing are hardest to leave. I feel that a good group is so hard to find and keep. I would have loved to keep together my group in that class and continue work in this class.

I wish that I had experienced working a more positive group during my first group/team project at Walden University. I feel that if I would have had a positive experience I would have engrossed the opportunity in the future. Working on my master’s degree and taking similar courses had gave me the opportunity to learn more about the positive methods of teaching and working in a team. It has shown me how to think outside of the box and work with a different variety of people in the filed of education. I am so thankful for this program.

I think that adjourning is an essential part of teamwork because this is a method of concluding or ending a project. It is the most important part of the teamwork process.

Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management

I have a positive work environment and I love my job, however, I have recently ran into a speed bump. Due to the economy, my non-profit organization is experiencing funding challenges. Due to these challenges, we are requiring that teachers take pay cuts and still continue to do the same amount of work in the center, if not more. I feel that this has created a harsh, yet tolerable situation. Georgia is one of the cities with the highest unemployment rate and I am happy to have a job.

I am the person that collects the fees and I am required to ask and request families to pay their fees in a timely fashion. With this in mind, I often have to take a stand and require that families pay their fees or withdraw their child. This is one of the hardest things to do in my job. I recently had a conflict with a parent that felt our fees were too high and she could not afford the program. She is receiving assistance however, she needs more assistance. Even though I felt her pain, I still had to require that she paid her fees no matter what.

With this situation in mind, I would use the win-win method to solve this conflict. I would also use mapping method. I feel that these methods would help us to come up with a plan of action and write down a plan. We could use this as the payment plan to assist with paying her fees, without withdrawing her child. Even though I came up with a payment plan the parent was required to pay the same fee amounts.

Classmates if you were in my situation, what would you do differently?

Erica

My Evaluation of my communication skills.

I often view the ways that people look at me. It is important to know that people feel that I am an effective communicator and I help solve problems. I feel that my boss is a great communicator. I try to mimic the ways that she works with staff and handle certain issues and challenges. When my boss evaluated me, she stated that I need to acquire firmer leadership skills and stand my ground. I feel that this is helpful information that will help me in my professional and personal life.

I personally feel that I am a people person, and I am aware that I need to work on leading people to move in the right way. This is one major skill that I am currently working on. In order to gain these skills, I created three goals that will assist me through this journey. The three goals that I created are:

1. Be firm and stand your ground when desiring to influence others to accept my point of view. Do not back down.
2. Continue to be respectful to others and their view points. Argue fairly by arguing the facts instead of opinions and gossip.
3. Be confident in my decision making. Become comfortable with discussing topics and concepts that I may not be familiar with.

I feel that these goals will help me to stay focus and strive for my goal.