This week our lesson focused on the group process. We did a team activity were one person was blind-folded and the other person had to talk them through a obstacle course. I liked this activity because it can be as easy or as hard the group members make it. It's a simple concept, one person can't see, the other person can. All it takes is two member who can communicate clearly, decisively, and with trust. If you can't be clear, decisive, and have trust in your partner then it's not going to be a very productive exercise. The same concepts of group teamwork from this exercise could be applied to the relationship we'll have with our other Hixson section leader, when communication will be so imperative to create lesson plans, prepare for class activities, and deliver lessons.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Week 6
During this week's class we took a survey to find out what our dominant conflict management styles are, and the results showed that my dominant style is avoiding, followed by collaborating. At first I wasn't sure if I answered the questions truthfully as to how I actually approach conflict, but after a second look at the questions I knew this was my dominant style. My initial reaction to realizing my dominant style is avoiding was an overall negative feeling. When I hear the word avoid it makes me think of somebody who can't handle conflict, or doesn't have the courage to stand up for what they believe in.
When I went on to read the survey's description of the avoiding style things really stated to come full circle, and allowed me to understand why this is my dominant style of conflict management. First of all I don't enjoy conflict, the fact that somebody doesn't agree with me doesn't always make me want to jump up and prove a point. This is especially true for the little things in every day life, that I view as minor details to the big picture. If the damage from addressing the conflict outweighs the potential benefits of resolving the conflict, then I've got better things to do with my time and energy. If there's an issue that I'm passionate about then I usually shift from avoiding to collaborating or competing, depending on the severity and importance of the conflict.
Overall I really enjoyed Mike and Carly's lesson, and it helped me realize that although each person may have a different dominant conflict style, the dominant style alone isn't what determines how effective a person is as a conflict manager. The best conflict managers utilize all five of the styles we discussed; avoiding, accommodating, competing, collaborating, and compromising. The key is for an effective conflict manager is the ability to understand and apply the style that is most appropriate for each individual conflict they face. By understanding this I feel very confident that my conflict management style is avoiding, so that I can focus on what is important to me, pick my battles, and when the battles come shift to the most appropriate conflict management style.
When I went on to read the survey's description of the avoiding style things really stated to come full circle, and allowed me to understand why this is my dominant style of conflict management. First of all I don't enjoy conflict, the fact that somebody doesn't agree with me doesn't always make me want to jump up and prove a point. This is especially true for the little things in every day life, that I view as minor details to the big picture. If the damage from addressing the conflict outweighs the potential benefits of resolving the conflict, then I've got better things to do with my time and energy. If there's an issue that I'm passionate about then I usually shift from avoiding to collaborating or competing, depending on the severity and importance of the conflict.
Overall I really enjoyed Mike and Carly's lesson, and it helped me realize that although each person may have a different dominant conflict style, the dominant style alone isn't what determines how effective a person is as a conflict manager. The best conflict managers utilize all five of the styles we discussed; avoiding, accommodating, competing, collaborating, and compromising. The key is for an effective conflict manager is the ability to understand and apply the style that is most appropriate for each individual conflict they face. By understanding this I feel very confident that my conflict management style is avoiding, so that I can focus on what is important to me, pick my battles, and when the battles come shift to the most appropriate conflict management style.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Week 5
This week in class we discussed the difference between advice, and interpersonal communication. I really liked the topic because I can for see a lot of use for both advice and interpersonal communication with our role as peer mentors, and Wednesday's class helped me to better distinguish between the two.
As a mentor I expect to answer a lot of questions with advice in order to make the smoothest transition for my Hixson students, but if there's as opportunity for interpersonal communication I'll try my best to make sure the students are ultimately making their own decisions, because making your own decisions for yourself is part of growing up. The students are the ones who have to live with the results of their decisions, not me. If I can offer some personal insight that can help one of my students come to their best informed decision, then by all means I'll give my two cents worth.
Overall this week's topic for me was simple to understand, but ultimately very important. Effective peer mentors understand when to use interpersonal communication for a student to come to their own decision, and when it's most appropriate to simply give advice. Dylan and Lauren did a real nice and effective job with this topic, and it seemed like everybody walked out of class Wednesday feeling confident and comfortable with the lesson.
As a mentor I expect to answer a lot of questions with advice in order to make the smoothest transition for my Hixson students, but if there's as opportunity for interpersonal communication I'll try my best to make sure the students are ultimately making their own decisions, because making your own decisions for yourself is part of growing up. The students are the ones who have to live with the results of their decisions, not me. If I can offer some personal insight that can help one of my students come to their best informed decision, then by all means I'll give my two cents worth.
Overall this week's topic for me was simple to understand, but ultimately very important. Effective peer mentors understand when to use interpersonal communication for a student to come to their own decision, and when it's most appropriate to simply give advice. Dylan and Lauren did a real nice and effective job with this topic, and it seemed like everybody walked out of class Wednesday feeling confident and comfortable with the lesson.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Week 4
I thought this week's discussion about diversity and working with people from different backgrounds was very productive, and important as we move on to next fall and will be facilitating groups of individuals that will likely come from very diverse backgrounds.
What I feel I have the most to gain from this fall from my experience being a Hixson section leader is just simply the experience of working with around 10 different individuals, who all have different attributes. I think there's a lot of value for a leader to be exposed to as many personality types as possible in a professional setting, to better understand how to be the most productive despite differences.
Something I talked with Carly about during the lecture that I didn't share with the class but think really rings true is that if you want to be more accepting to others from different backgrounds, the first step is engaging in conversation. It's so easy now a days to be in your own little world, and to stay within your comfort zone via ipod, cell phone, tablet, or computer. How often do you see strangers talking on the bus, doctors office waiting room, or in line for Panda Express? Usually people from our generation don't want to make small talk, they'd rather check in with their friends on Facebook, play Angry Birds, or have their headphones in. In order for our generation to start becoming more accepting to people from different backgrounds there actually needs to be some one on one engagement, and I feel like we're loosing that. Also don't be afraid to look somebody in the eyes, shake their hand, and tell them your name.
From the reading I really liked the idea that we need to accept that fact that we're not all perfect, nobody is, and once we can accept that we can understand that the way we live our lives isn't the "right" way to live, but just one of many different ways. Accept the fact that sometimes people will do things not necessarily the exact same way as you would, but as long as the job gets done that's really what matters.
What I feel I have the most to gain from this fall from my experience being a Hixson section leader is just simply the experience of working with around 10 different individuals, who all have different attributes. I think there's a lot of value for a leader to be exposed to as many personality types as possible in a professional setting, to better understand how to be the most productive despite differences.
Something I talked with Carly about during the lecture that I didn't share with the class but think really rings true is that if you want to be more accepting to others from different backgrounds, the first step is engaging in conversation. It's so easy now a days to be in your own little world, and to stay within your comfort zone via ipod, cell phone, tablet, or computer. How often do you see strangers talking on the bus, doctors office waiting room, or in line for Panda Express? Usually people from our generation don't want to make small talk, they'd rather check in with their friends on Facebook, play Angry Birds, or have their headphones in. In order for our generation to start becoming more accepting to people from different backgrounds there actually needs to be some one on one engagement, and I feel like we're loosing that. Also don't be afraid to look somebody in the eyes, shake their hand, and tell them your name.
From the reading I really liked the idea that we need to accept that fact that we're not all perfect, nobody is, and once we can accept that we can understand that the way we live our lives isn't the "right" way to live, but just one of many different ways. Accept the fact that sometimes people will do things not necessarily the exact same way as you would, but as long as the job gets done that's really what matters.
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