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Chapter 4Working with Others

The first meetingAccept that you will need time to form yourselves into a fully-functioning group – effective performance may only come after working through stages of uncertainty towards general agreement on how to work together.Structure the agenda to follow a cycle of opening, developing and closing phases.Someone will be needed to chair the group.Arrange a date for next meeting.

Information theory model of communicationThe model has 3 basic components:

A sender or source of an encoded message.A medium or channel of transmission.A receiver which decodes the message

How does this model workThe sender(source) wants someone else(receiver) to know or do something.This information can only be conveyed to the receiver as some type of message.The message is encoded by the sender(source). It is structured into a form of code.The message is transmitted through the particular channel.The message passes from the sender to the receiver.

How does this model workThe receiver attempts to decode the message by deciphering the code that runs through the words, action or gesture that were sent by the source.The message has reached its destination when the receiver attributes meaning to it and acts accordingly.

The constructivist model of communication

It sees people as constructing mental models which they use to understand and make sense of the world.Six steps to empathy

Assume differenceknow selfSuspend selfAllow guided judgmentAllow empathetic experienceRe-establish self

Guidelines for active listeningGive people your attentionBe ready to paraphraseUse questions if you do not understand.Acknowledge the other persons feelings.Encourage if the other person appears uncertain.Do not react or respond in other ways until it is clear that the other person has finished.

Communicating assertivelyAssertive behavior means standing up for yourself, but in ways which respect the rights of others.Scripting an assertive response

PrepareIdentify the problem and state how you feel and your wants.Respect the other person.

Limits to assertivenessThey take no account of structural and political imbalances in organization or society at large.Dominant or powerful groups may interpret assertion from members of other groups as aggressive even if no hostility or offence is intended.Individuals may be encouraged to take on responsibility for righting wrongs that are outside their control.

Limits to assertivenessAssertiveness can ignore collective virtues such as the solidarity of working for a cause.Some cultures have more respect for tact than honesty and may expect deference on both sides.

Negotiating A successful negotiator tries to find a win-win solution in which both sides benefit.4 things that assist negotiation

Separate the people from the problem.Focus on interest not positionsGenerate options for mutual gainAgree criteria for solutions

Behavior that affect negotiationsSkilled negotiators avoid the following negative behavior:IrritatorsDefense/attack spiralsArgument dilutionBehavior chainsCounter proposal

Behavior that affect negotiationsSkilled negotiators demonstrate the following positive behavior:Test understanding and summarizeFlag or signalAsk lots of questionsExplain how they feelReview their performance

Dealing with difficultiesIf your negotiation seems to be failing because someone else is being difficult:Do not reactLook at the situation from the other persons viewpoint.Do not reject – reframeMake it easy to say ‘yes’Make it hard to say ‘no’

Giving and receiving feedbackGive praise where it is deserved.Be positive about yourself.Give compliments.

Participating in a computer-mediated discussion or conference

Advantages:You can send a message at whatever time suits you. Message will be delivered almost instantly.It is easier to participate.

Rules for computer-mediated discussion or conferencesProtocol

Think about the purpose of your intended message.Use email to communicated speedilyUse computer-mediated conferences to communicate publicly with conference members.Be strict about message content.Use appropriate reply button.Support and encourage others.

Development of computer-mediated learning.

Access and motivationComputer-mediated socializationInformation exchangeKnowledge constructionDevelopment

Organizing computer-mediated group work

The group will need to do five thingsGenerate a list which links individuals with tasks and responsibilities.Schedule the tasksAgree on what will be collectively acceptable as the outcomeWorkout a process for the taskWorkout a process for working together

Practical tips for computer-mediated group working

RolesMaking contributionDealing with non-contributionTolerance and supportProfessionalismIndividual effortPlan B!Study the softwareUse your judgment

Brainstorming Two principles apply to the process:

The operation between being creative and being judgment.Quantity breeds quality.

These principles leads to 4 practical rules:No criticismFreewheelThe more ideas, the betterHitch-hike

Clustering ideasIt is a way of grouping different ideas so that the different groups, or clusters, exhibit themes or generalization. It is a way of handling many ideas that may have resulted from brainstorming process.

Buzz group and snowballingBuzz groups are used to provide a change of pace and activity in order to aid thinking or to encourage consolidation after a discussion group.Snowballing is a development from buzz groups and is used to refine thinking and develop ideas further. Each pair is asked to join another pair and a further round of discussion ensues, each pair contributing points from their initial discussion.

Round robinsWhen a group gets stuck or needs a fresh input of ideas to tackle a problem or to establish a way to proceed, a round robin may help.

Giving presentationsSteps in preparing a presentationPlanAudienceTeamworkPrepare