Teamwork & Collaboration: Take Two

Last week, you focused on Standard 8, which relates to teamwork.  Since it was only a 3-day week, you really didn’t get a chance to immerse your thoughts in all of the team-oriented tasks you conduct.  That said, you will again focus on collaboration and teamwork at your placements.  To review, Standard 8 states:

8) Collaborate and work productively as a team member: Work effectively as a member of a team and address conflict with sensitivity and respect for diverse points of view. Demonstrate understanding of one’s own impact and build on different perspectives to strengthen joint efforts. Demonstrate leadership where appropriate on collaborative workplace tasks. Effectively employ meeting management strategies, such as use of an agenda, time keeping and meeting facilitation strategies, identifying action items, and scheduling next steps. Work-Place Example: A student works with a diverse team in a warehouse to pull ordered items, package, and ship the items on time. The student alternates between taking the lead and assisting others as the situation demands.

With that said, at your placements, you will again think about the following driving concepts:  

1. Analyze the instances in which you act as a leader and instances in which you follow the lead of others.  
2. Identify how you leverage your strengths with those around you to accomplish your tasks more efficiently.  
3. Finally, make a note of how you deal with minor/major conflicts regarding decision-making and/or distribution of tasks.

Students in the classroom will work on completing your Verizon App Challenge.  There are only a few details to finalize before creating your video, so this week will be a focus on refining and completing the written portion before turning your attention to creating the supporting video. You too will focus on these elements of teamwork:

1. Analyze the instances in which you act as a leader and instances in which you follow the lead of others.  
2. Identify how you leverage your strengths with those around you to accomplish your tasks more efficiently.  
3. Finally, make a note of how you deal with minor/major conflicts regarding decision-making and/or distribution of tasks.

It was pretty tough missing Thursday’s share-out so I’m excited to get back in the classroom with you guys and hear about all the great things that happened during the week.  Keep up the hard work and continue to take pride in everything you do.  I’ll see you tomorrow.