Adjourning

I do find it difficult to adjourn from a high-performing group with clear established norms.  One of the hardest groups I had to leave included the colleagues I made during obtaining my bacholor's degree.  Since we were in a cohort we had taken all of the same courses together from the first course.  Completing our bacholor's degree took two and a half years.  Over this period of time we were able to get to know one another on a personal and professional level.  We shared ideas, views, concerns, and resources with one another.  We also supported one another and helped each other.  It was hard to leave this group because we would be ending our journey together and moving on to our own individual journeys.  Our closing ritual included us all getting together and celebrating our success.  We also all get together for lunch at least twice a year.  I have also became close friends with a few my colleagues from this group.  We keep in contact frequently on a personal and professional basis. 

I feel that adjourning from my colleagues I have made while I was working on my master's will also be difficult and sad.  It will be the end of our journey together and we will all be moving on to our own individual journeys.  Having our blogs will help us stay in touch and continue to support and share ideas. 

Adjourning is an essential stage of team development.  Adjourning allows team members to celebrate their success and provides an opportunity for team members to say their good-byes and wish each other luck on all future efforts (Abudi, 2010).

References

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved on February 16, 2013, from: http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html

Conflict Resolution Strategies

There are multiple strategies that could be used to resolve conflict.  Two strategies that I feel would be most effective for me to resolve conflict effectively are The Third Side (n.d) and Conflict Resolution Network (n.d.).  The Third Side provides a technique to help you see the larger perspective.  I would use the Third Side because it allows me to seek understanding of both perspectives, encourages a process of cooperative negotiation, and supports a solution that meets the needs of both individuals and the community.  I would use the Conflict Resolution Network's 12 skills to resolve conflict because it offers many strategies to use.  Skill 3 would be the best strategy for me to have used last week when I had a conflict with my boyfriend.  This strategy reminds you not to defend yourself, deal with the speakers emotions, and acknowledge their side.  I feel that using this strategy will foster our relationship. 

Resources
Conflict Resolution Network. (n.d.) CR kit. Retrieved on February 8, 2013, from: http://www.crnhq.org/pages.php?ID=12#skill_3

The Third Side. (n.d.) The third side. Retrieved on February 8, 2013, from:
http://www.thirdside.org/thirdside.cfm

Communication Evaluation

After completing and evaluating the three communication assessments I feel that I have gained a deeper understanding of who I am as a communicator.   The one thing that surprised me the most was how accurate the assessments were based on my perception of myself.  I found the outcome very interesting because it made me reflect on who I was and why I am me. 

This week I gained many new insights about communication.  Two new insights that I would like to share are 1) how perceptions effect how one communicates and 2) to become an effective communicate with others you must know yourself as a communicator.  Everyone perceives everything different! We are unique beings! We have our own communication styles!