Communication and Collaboration

Communication and Collaboration Strategy James Menephee Gen 200 Due Date: March, 1st, 2010 Instructor: Teresa Diane Baker

Communication and Collaboration

Communication and Collaboration Strategy Before any group of people can form a cohesive team to reach a common goal, each individuals learning style and personality must be taken into account. This should be done not only to maximize the effectiveness of the group, but also to resolve potential conflicts that may arise due to differences. Any time persons are placed together with different experiences, backgrounds, and operating methods, conflicts often occur. Understanding these differences can resolve many of these problems and can galvanize the team into an even tighter group. Learning styles are the different ways individuals perceive, retain, and understand information. (Bishop, Carter, & Lyman, 2002). Three of these learning styles are visual-spatial, verballinguistic, and logical-mathematical. People that favor visual-spatial methods of learning prefer visual concepts, such as charts, illustrations, and graphs over word communications. A strategy for these types of learners is to minimize reading by using summaries, if possible, and to use pictures and illustrations to convey ideas. Those that learn best by the verbal-linguistic method rely on the spoken and written word to convey ideas and concepts. These individuals usually exhibit a mastery of language and serve as good communicators for the team. Because of their ability of self expression, they often make excellent leaders, as well. Logical-mathematical learners absorb information through analysis of the information. They usually have an aptitude for math and science. A strategy for them to be of the greatest benefit to a team is to allow them to disseminate data and statustics. Also because of their tendency to problem solve, they could be use in either operational roles or in conflict management.

Communication and Collaboration

Personality types are commonly defined as the social and psychological traits that make one individual differ from another. (Hudson & Riso, 1996). Three of these personality types are that of the adventurer, the organizer, and the thinker. Adventures are very creative and excel in abstract thinking. A strategy for collaboration for adventurers would be to allow them to think

outside the box during brainstorming team sessions. Also, if there are practical, smaller tasks that must be done to reach a team goal, adventurers are natural go-getters and are selfmotivated. The organizer is often a team leader or facilitator. They are able to see the goal and the steps to reach that goal. They are naturally able to mobilize teams, see which talents individuals have to offer to accomplish goals. A common strategy for communicating with organizers is having teams meetings because they are able to share the vision of the objective, while getting updates on individuals doing their part. Thinkers are known for being very deliberate with the actions they take and ideas given to the group. They may not vocalize ideas as much as the adventurer, but they great analyzers of ideas and team progress. A strategy for communication for thinkers is to get them information, such as meeting agendas or ideas early on. Because they are such analyzers, they are able to see potential problems that may need to be resolved before the team goal can be fully realized.

Communication and Collaboration

References Bishop, J., Carter, C., & Lyman, S. (2002). Keys to College Studying: Becoming a Lifelong Learner. Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River

Hudson, R. & Riso, D.R. (1996). Personality Types: Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery. Mariner Books, Washington, D.C.