Experiencing Conflict

An issue I wanted to address is one that seems to affect every workplace.  This issue involves co-workers who constantly find something to complain about with their boss.  These individuals generally do nothing about their complaints but tell everybody but the person they are complaining about.  For me, when I am on the receiving end of someone’s complaint about another I feel uncomfortable listening to someone talking negatively.  There are strategies I can take use to help manage or resolve this conflict.  According to The Conflict Resolution Network (n.d.), I can empathize with these individuals by asking them questions about their complaints and even inquire what they are doing about it with their boss and how and/or in what ways they think I can by learning about the issues they have with another.  Another strategy I can use is to ask the individuals to think about their expected outcome, such as a win-win outcome or a compromise.  I would also encourage these individuals to talk directly to the source of their complaints.  We may even have monthly meetings set aside to address any issues or concerns from staff and involve the staff on ways to resolve issues and the types of resources/services they suggest.  Overall, my goal would be to support individuals in not going to others about a problem they are not involved, but rather go directly to the person involved in the conflict. 

 

For my particular issue, I used this assignment to ask the very people who were going to others and complaining about another on giving advice to solve work-related problems.  I also asked them about what they also found to likely be ineffective ways in solving problem related to work. I found it interesting that everyone felt it was most important to go directly to the source about their problems, but also confessed they often felt intimidated to do so because often times it was their boss.  I then suggested we ask the boss about monthly meetings to share what worked with patients and our jobs as well as what did not work so well and input on ways to make it work better so we can be more productive for the boss. 

Evaluation of Self as a Communicator

     After reflecting on the similarities and differences between how I evaluated myself as a communicator and how others evaluated me.  I was surprised the most by how others were highly confident in my ability to speak effectively with others.  I am much more critical of myself in feeling the need to do better and striving to do so.  I learned that others view me as having low anxiety when communicating orally.  I also learned that others viewed me as being action-oriented, one who has a strong focus on acting on resolving issues and getting things done.  However, the assessment test I took showed I scored higher in being people-oriented and should be careful of being too trustworthy.  I think after reviewing and reflecting on the results from these assessments, I have learned that having a balance in my communication style and skills is key to my professional and personal life.  Too much skill and style can come across as too aggressive and not enough can come across as too passive and easily manipulated.  I also believe balance come in the form of knowing how to communicate with various people, venues, and circumstances.  Overall, I think honing communication skills and styles takes ongoing time and commitment in being effective with most individuals. 

Communicating with Different Groups and Cultures

Week 3:  Communicating with Different Groups and Cultures

 

Yes, I do find myself communicating with different groups and cultures.  I do this because no two people are the same.  I communicate to meet the needs of the situation and not because individuals are necessarily from different groups and cultures.  If I communicated per group or culture, then I believe I would be making assumptions about people based on their group and culture and individuals are more than being “lumped” into stereotypes. 

 

There are ways I can communicate more effectively with people.  One way is to know myself, which can be done through ongoing self-reflection such as my own beliefs, personality, and traits before I can make any changes to benefit my communication skills.  I may also be more other-oriented by trying to be more cognizant of what others are feeling in order to help them meet their wants and needs.  I may also ask questions and hone my listening skills to learn more about others and how I might support them and show they are valued. 

Communication through "New Girl"

I chose to watch an episode of “New Girl” because I have never watched it before and have heard it is often funny.  In the episode I watched, I would say the four people have close relationships and two of them even appear to be a steady couple.  With the sound off, it appeared the three men and woman seem to get along very well, for the most part.  They expressed various nonverbal feelings and behaviors.  I observed knowing looks, smiles and looks of concerns, especially with the couple.  I also observed eye to eye contacts and eyes that avoided eye contact.  I also saw two of the men talking and then looking back at the couple and lower their heads to talk while still discreetly looking back at the couple, as if they were trying to keep a secret from them.  I also saw one of individuals eating her cereal slowly and looking down and then putting both hands in her head as if she were very sad.  And another man petting his cat with a serious look on his face and then another scene having his cat in a carrier at a pet store looking concerned as if his cat were sick.

 

After watching the same episode again, this time with the volume on.  Most of the assumptions I made were accurate, while some were not so accurate.  While it appeared everyone in the episode got along well, I discovered one man did not want the couple dating and tried to sabotage their relationship and when the other coupled discovered this, they were more annoyed with the man named, Schmidt.  I was right about the woman being sad, as she was having some issues with her boyfriend.  I was also right about the two men wanting to keep a secret from the couple, as it was Schmidt talking about how to break the couple up with his other roommate.  As for the roommate with the cat, well his cat was not sick, as I had thought, he was getting ready to have his cat neutered and wanted his cat to experience being with another cat before he had his cat ‘fixed.’ So, of course, my assumptions would have been more correct had I been watching this show well all along.  My insights about communication have been reinforced by doing this activity, because just like making assumptions about a show in its third season and how everyone’s relationships are with others, is the same with getting to know families and their children and thinking we know more about them than what we do based on our assumptions and little time spent with them.  This activity show just how important effective communication is in getting the whole picture and not making assumptions, but getting the facts. 

Week 1 Blog Assignment

Week 1:  Blog Assignment


For this assignment, I chose to use the doctor I work for to demonstrate competent communication within a particular context.  The context is within specialty dentistry involving the doctor and a discouraged patient.  The doctor showed competence with a patient who wanted and expected unrealistic results for a recommended procedure on his gum tissue.  The doctor took extra time with the patient to thoroughly explain to the patient why his expectations simply could not be met and showed him examples of similar cases to his and their outcomes and why it would not be possible.  The doctor also validated the patients concerns and agreed it would be nice to have that outcome but unfortunately, given the current state of the patient’s mouth, it would not be possible but that everything would be done to ensure the outcome would be satisfying.  The doctor’s behavior of being a good listener to the patient until the patient was finished talking, keeping direct eye contact and nodding with the patient, having his body slightly bent towards the patient, and validating the patient’s wants and concisely explaining the rationale for a realistic outcome.  This behavior was effective because the patient received the message and was content with it as he made the appointment to have the surgery and would accept the outcome the doctor informed him would be more likely.  I would like to model some of my own communication behaviors after this doctor because he was sincere and understood the patient’s desires by taking the time to listen to the patient and explaining the more realistic outcome in a way the patient understood and was willing to accept.  Overall, the doctor respected the patient and the patient ended up respecting the doctor, which produced a positive outcome for both. 

Professional Hopes and Goals

Week 8:  Professional Hopes and Goals

 

Considering my understanding of diversity, I hope to learn more about others and have a better understanding of their own view of themselves.  My goal is to dispel any assumptions or biases I may have of others and to be a better listener in order to meet the needs of others to learn their wants and needs.  I think it is very important to personally and professionally make it a life-long goal to continue to learn about people and how they view themselves.  In doing so, I would be better equipped in meeting their needs as well as establishing an effective partnership with families and children.  I also feel an equitable teacher makes an honest effort to continually reflect on his/her own personal beliefs and to dispel any biases or assumptions made about others, even if the aforementioned is met with good intentions.  I appreciate my colleagues support in sharing their personal stories of struggles with –isms and ways they have overcome their own biases and discrimination issues.  I also appreciate their value and respect of my own culture and diversity.  Thank you, everyone!  I hope your journeys are long and fruitful!   

Welcoming Families from Around the World

Week 7:  Welcoming Families from Around the World

1.  The name of my family’s country I chose:  Malawi, formerly known as Nyasaland, located in

      Southeastern Africa. 

2.  Five ways to be culturally responsive to my family:

      A.   Get to know more about the country’s economy and education

      B.  Have translators to help me with the primary language spoken: Chichewa, of which over 57% of

            the population speaks.

     C.  Learn more about the country’s culture

     D.  Learn more about the demographics of the country

     E.  Find out ways I can support the families and children of whom I will be working within the

           Community. 

     These preparations will work towards benefitting my family in many ways.  By learning more about this country’s economy I would learn that this country is one of the least developed countries and has a struggling economy dependent of foreign aid.  In addition, I would also learn that this country entitles its people to at least five years of primary education by its government and an effort has been made to improve literacy skills, access to more educational materials, and programs to feed children.  I would also be aware of the need for translator because 12% of the population speak English and I would need to communicate verbally if the family did not speak English and try to learn some of their primary language.  I would also learn that this country has a rich culture in dance and soccer.  This information is useful in possibly engaging the family to teach me about their dance and play soccer with them.  I would also know this country has a population of 15 million people.  Approximately 68, 000 deaths per year from AID/HIV with a life expectancy of around 50 years old and a high infant mortality rate due to high risk of infectious diseases, poor gender equality, and maternal mortality.  This information can be used to educate the family to promote better health conditions and education.  Overall, I think it is important to work with families and children by not only learning about their country, but to also ask them what they want and need for their children and to find ways in which I can support them through my knowledge and other services and resources.