Collaborative Learning Community

The last 8 weeks was a wonderful experience and I have learned great deal on what it means to be effective in our communication and listening skills. I say all the time you learn something new each day. All my colleagues have been supportive in responding to information as well as giving suggestions and advice on how they effectively communicate or have learned new skills as a result of this class. I like the honesty displayed by all and they were not afraid to say how they feel. I am been supportive by offering any advice asked by others or administering some of the knowledge I have on some issues. I too still learned information that I have already begun to incorporate in my day to day dealings with each and every person I come in contact with. I would like to wish each and every one of you much success as you continue your progress at Walden University.  Please feel free to email me at childrens4802@gmail.com and I will give you my contact information to keep in touch.

Thanks Again from the bottom of my heart

ADJOURNING PHASE

The adjourning stage of the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) food program is winding down and even though pressure was put on a few of us to complete the paperwork that others claimed they did we really felt good. It was a real challenge for us but we survived. This bought the team closer together and it enabled all of us to be more helpful and supportive of one another. Even though the high performing didn’t begin until we were in a jam it was really hard to say good bye. We set aside a day and we all went out to dinner after getting word that the audit went very well. Some of the individuals that never worked together became close and starting working on other projects together and relying on each other more. Many of us keep in contact with each other and we provide support to one another no matter at what cost. 

The group of us that worked together was very clear about what had to be one and the time frame involve. There are many closing rituals I have experienced but the one that I feel is important was to address those who worked on the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) project. I let them know that the project we worked on required leadership, planning and cooperation. This project is something we will have to go through again. What we went through was only the beginning. Each of us here played a major part in getting this work done however we will still need to keep abreast and make sure the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program)  is being done daily and properly. It is our mission to make sure that continues.

In closing, I look forward to standing here and working with each and every one of you upon successful completion of this project. I would like to extend my thanks to each and every one of you. As a token of my appreciation the center will be giving each of you a paid day off on us. Thank You Again.

While working on my master’s degree I imagine that I will adjourn from the groups, colleagues and instructor just about the same. I don’t know about the paid day off but I will show my appreciation for all the help and support I received from everyone.

Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork. At this stage I find that it is important to achieve closure for the group doing so on a positive note. Group members may begin to feel a sense of loss and their motivation may decline when the group's work comes to an end. With that being said I find it is very important to recognize the group members for their accomplishments and celebrate the group's overall success. As a director and leader of my team this is important to the future success of all members.

Reference:

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html

Disagreement and Conflict Strategies

As an educator I try my best not to engage in disagreements and conflicts. I do my best to try and resolve all issues no matter how small or large. The one thing I just recently experienced, that comes to mind is a situation one of the Assistant Directors had. One of our parents who is deaf insist on bringing her children to daycare even though the state had informed the center that until she submits in the necessary paperwork the childcare will stop. The assistant told her she could not leave her children and the parent began to sign at her snapping and displaying anger. The parent basically told the assistant you can’t tell me I can’t leave my children. The assistant director explained to her that if she left her children she would have to pay out of pocket. The parent handed her a piece of paper that stated that because she is death the worker could not contact her by phone but by email only and the email address was on the paper. The parent wanted the assistant director to contact the worker and give her the email address so that the worker and parent could properly communicate. 

Non-Verbal Communication

The assistant director told the parent it was not her responsibility to contact them that as the parent she had to handle the situation. Again the parent began to sign and again very angry snapping at the assistant director. When I came in the assistant director mentioned to me what had happened and she seemed to be very upset by it. I simply asked her what was wrong so that she could explain the story from start to finish. She felt that it was not her responsibility to contact the worker that the parent needs to do so.  After she made me aware of the conversation I explained to her the way she handled that was inappropriate and that could have been resolved in such a way that would have made the situation peaceful for both people the parent and the assistant director.

As mentioned in Chapter 8 Managing Conflict Resolution “what starts out as a complaint or an observation can quickly develop into a nasty conflict or even an investigation” (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 219). My investigation of the situation determined that the matter could have been handled in a different manner. First of all in our business we need to be effective in our communication. Secondly, I look at the fact that this parent is death and so this is the best way for her to communicate with the center and so we need to take the extra step in assisting her. I let the assistant director know that the situation could have been easily resolved by just picking up the phone, contacting the worker and giving her the information (email address) from the parent so that there could be communication between the parent and the worker. That would have taken very little time to do so. 

Friends Resolving Conflicts

One strategy that comes to mind is the cooperative strategy. The assistant director could have proposed a compromise by allowing the children to stay until she was able to communicate with the parent’s worker. This would have been the best outcome for both parties in this relationship. “Strategies that benefit the relationship, serve mutual rather than individual goals, and strive to produce solutions that benefit both parties”( O'Hair & Wiemann,  2012, p. 237). Offering and potentially negotiating alternatives is a useful tactic for cooperative conflict management.  In this situation challenging strategy I would say could have applied to the parent. This promoted the objective of the individual (referring to the parent) who use the challenge rather than the desires of the other person or the relationship.

Communicate

"The dynamic communication techniques of Nonviolent Communication transform potential conflicts into peaceful dialogues. You'll learn simple tools to defuse arguments and create compassionate connections with your family, friends, and other acquaintances” (http://www.cnvc.org/). (Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is based on the principles of nonviolence-- the natural state of compassion when no violence is present in the heart. Nonviolent Communication skills emphasize personal responsibility for our actions and the choices we make when we respond to others, as well as how to contribute to relationships based in cooperation and collaboration. When our communication supports compassionate giving and receiving, happiness replaces violence and grieving!

I find that the needs of both parties play important roles in the long-term success of most relationships, and each deserves respect and consideration. When you can recognize the legitimacy of conflicting needs and become willing to examine them in an environment of compassionate understanding, it opens pathways to creative problem solving, team building, and improved relationships. The way you look, listen, move, and react to another person tells them more about how you’re feeling than words alone ever can.

Developing the ability to understand and use nonverbal communication can help you connect with others, express what you really mean, navigate challenging situations, and build better relationships at home and work.

To all my colleagues I would like your input regarding any specific problems you may have had and how you learned to be more effective communicators when handling conflicts.

References:

 The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (n.d.). The center for nonviolent communication. Retrieved from http://www.cnvc.org/

http://www.cnvc.org/learn/nvc-foundations

Similarities & Differences as a Communicator

Effective Communication

As a director in a childcare facility through training's. I am constantly reminded about how we as leaders and educators are to communicate with staff, children and families. As a communicator I find myself and have been told by others that I communicate very effectively.  I find that when I communicate this way it helps me to understand a person better and understand their situation. This enables me to resolve differences while at the same time building trust and respecting the individual. No matter how simple communication may seem when we try to communicate with others or they try to communicate with us things are misunderstood or misinterpreted. As a result conflicts arise and folks become frustrated in personal as well as professional relationships. When I learn effective communication skills, I find that I can better connect with my spouse, children, families, friends and even the staff I work with. In talking with staff and other people that I come in contact with they like the way I communicate. They stressed that it is important that you listen to what a person has to say and not interrupt which is what I do. I am also empathetic and I concern myself with the emotions of others. I also am balanced and I maintain respect and I never engage in aggression.

This did not surprise me at all because over the years I have learned a great deal and as a result I have implemented new things I learn time and time again. Of course, it takes time and effort to develop effective communication skills and become an effective communicator. I find that you must put a great deal of effort and practice into communicating effectively. The more practice you put in, the more instinctive and spontaneous your communication skills will become.

The insights I have learned are that almost everything anyone wants or needs will depend on others to a great degree. This is true for everyone whether they are directors, teachers, managers, or supervisor. Everyone’s success at getting their wants and needs met will depend largely on how effectively they communicate with others. Being able to communicate effectively is the most important skill a person can learn today. It is more than just the words we speak, but it also involves the way the words are spoken as well as the body language that accompanies it. 

The essence of good communication is to impart a message in a way that the perception of the receiver matches that of the transmitter. In other words, the style and method of our communication is always matched to suit those with whom we are communicating. Another insight is that if you are effective in your communication then your staff will know what to do and what is expected of them. When there is miscommunication then your staff will become disengaged because they are not sure or clear about what they should be doing or what their focus is on.

These two insights will inform my professional work and personal life in that it teaches me how to communicate effectively with others and the positive performance or productivity that can increase or result because of communicating effectively with others. In my personal life I learn that this is just as important as my professional work. It should never change and that communication should take place effectively across the board. Keeping the lines of communication is important and must be effective is you want to accomplish things or get the job done.

Effective Communication is the Key

Communicating with people from different groups and cultures.

Albania Culture

                                                       Spanish Culture and traditions

When communicating with people from different groups and cultures I find myself speaking in a clear voice so they can understand what I am saying. This is a result of the limited communication skills that some have. I try to be very patient too because at times when you are communicating with someone who has an accent it may be difficult to understand and so you may ask them to repeat it. Over the years as a result of working with a diverse background of cultures I listen very carefully and because of being around them for so long of a time I begin to pick up on what they are saying. I work with a person from Albania who is limited in her English and even in the Albania language I understand her. At the same time, it is helping me learn a second language.

The same applies to the Spanish families in our care. I have been able to communicate to them in their language even if it is something small and it makes them feel good just to hear you say hello or good morning in their language. There are times when I have to use hand gestures, or facial expressions, to communicate. I have a parent that is death so in order to communicate with her she had to write things down for me to understand her. This required a great deal of patience on my part. To better communicate with her I went out a purchased a book that would help me with basic sign language and “wow” it helped a great deal and the parent is so pleased. I am still learning sign language.

I find that non-verbal communication is often more important than verbal communication, and good for communication with someone who speaks Spanish or Albanian. Paying close attention to their body language, gestures and demeanor can help in communicating with them. Understanding differences in Spanish culture will help you better understand the people. You will appreciate their openness. The more you learn about the language and the culture, the more you will enjoy the time and communication you have with them. I find an even better way to understand Latin culture is to learn their language Spanish.

The strategies I use in dealing with a death person is to first be patient, be positive and make sure I have plenty of paper and pencils. Another thing that works also is lip-reading. I find it very important to treat them with respect. I have even gone as far as learning some phrases in Albanian.

Overall effective communication is vital for every organization. Communication is required for all business workers in every industry in order to carry out their tasks and duties, and is essential for obtaining the best performance. Being an effective communicator requires effort, observation and good verbal and nonverbal strategies.

Reference:

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

What I have learned about Communication Skills.

                                   Law and Order Special Victims Unit

The show I watched was Law and Order Special Victims Unit with the sound turned off. The characters in the show to me are based on the fact that they have a good working relationship (that is the detectives). I say this because as they were discussing the case there was a great deal of eye to eye contact (in intervals), body language, gestures, and voice tone from all parties. Based on their feelings and expressions when dealing with the criminals and trying to get to the bottom of the case you could see the frustration in their faces. The criminals in the movie avoided making any type of eye contact with the detectives and they kept blinking their eyes which to me says in some cases that they were not being honest about what they was saying and they kept looking down. 

Their tone of voice with each other showed enthusiasm because they caught what they thought was the person guilty of committing that horrible crime. That enthusiasm soon turned into anger when the criminal denied committing the crime. I watched the show again (I taped it) and my assumptions about the characters was correct. The only thing that was incorrect was the constant blinking of the eye by one of the criminals. The blinking is a result of a medical condition. If I had been watching a show I know a more well it is a possibility that my assumptions would have been more correct. It’s hard to say, one never knows for sure.

One thing I learned is that my assumptions regarding communication may not always be what I think it is. For example, the eye contact can be considered as intimidating or confrontational so again you can’t assume it could be totally different. With that being said I need to look for other cues. What this showed me is that nonverbal signals can be misread. It is important that I pay careful attention to verbal as well as nonverbal communication with others. This will help me improve my communication skills and make them more effective. We can always learn something new.

Competent Communication

All Communication must be Effective

The one person that I feel demonstrates competent communication is my instructor who conducts training at our center for the staff. Her communication skills in my book are very effective as well as professional. When conducting trainings she maintains eye contact with all in the class and she is open minded. I like that fact that when you want to speak she listens and is focused on every word that is coming from your mouth. Even if she doesn’t agree with what you are saying her response shows that she appreciates and respects what you are saying. I have learned a great deal from her as a result. For one thing I have learned how to demonstrate empathy from her by trying to understand a situations from someone else’s perspective. She has the ability to connect and understand others and I want to be able to do the same. In one of the training classes two teachers had conflicting views on how to communicate with a parent whose child displays behavior that is very challenging. To be honest with you they both were wrong in how to communicate the information to the parent. Rather than say no you’re both wrong or judging them she turned that situation into a learning experience. She demonstrated how to effectively communicate the information to the parent. The entire class was blown away because they saw how it could be done and done in a way that is effective as well as professional. The demonstration itself was done in a way where the parent would not feel upset or discouraged. We all know that parents do not want to hear that their child has behavior issues. I know her very well and I see how she manages her feelings and this is another thing I have learned from her.

The ability to communicate effectively can help us in attracting new client in the facility, forge new relationships with parents and teachers. We work with children each and every day so as educators we need to be effective in our communication with children. Having effective communication skills means more than just knowing how to talk. Children often need guidance in learning how to interact with one another when speaking. Just like she used role playing we too can use role-playing to teach children how to communicate with peers and adults. It's a fun and engaging way for children to learn. Caregivers have the important role of helping people with a multitude of tasks. Being able to communicate well with each person to whom you provide care is critical for ensuring that they get the care that they need. As a caregiver be sure to find out whether there are any special communication needs for each of your families. Professionalism should be a top of our list as we strive to provide great communication with each and every parent.

 Communication with children must be effective.