Thank You!

This course has taught me so many things about how to communicate with others in both my personal and professional life. Most of all I have learned new perspectives and experiences from all of you! I appreciate everyone for sharing your knowledge and supporting me through your posts and responses.

I wish everyone the best of luck in your professional career!

Adjourning Phase

The hardest group for me to leave was when I worked at a pediatric office. I was so excited to move on to my current job which was a big move in my career. However, the pediatric group was there for me during a very difficult personal point in my life. With the stress of the office, they continuously supported me during the loss of my father. I had built a positive relationship with most of the office and many of them became a friend outside the office. One of the rituals to leaving that took place was a good-bye/congratulations party which gave everyone the chance to take a moment and reflect on our time together. I am glad that this party was held because it was the perfect opportunity to show my gratitude for everyone and to express my thoughts and feelings for our relationship in the future.

I imagine the adjourning phase from the master’s degree program will be a time to congratulate everyone and show gratitude for the shared experience. The adjourning phase is one that is important to acknowledging the accomplishments of the group. It is a moment which offers the sense of closure that can help any person’s ability to move on.

Conflict in Communication

In the past, I have had a disagreement with a cowroker during a staff meeting about a topic that affected the entire staff. While there was not much to the decision of the topic, for some reason, my coworker and I had a moment where our personalities clashed and was on display for the entire staff. Because of my personality, I essentially shut down because felt as though my opinion was being threatened yet I could not express my thoughts clearly. My coworker on the other hand has a stronger way with words and she continued to direct her words toward me through facing me while sitting and turning to me each time she spoke. The situation was very uncomfortable for everyone there and one other coworker even stepped in to try and help resolve the issue by asking us both specifically what we thought. This helped and allowed us to end the discussion however, the disagreement has never been addressed again by myself or my coworker.

From this experience as well as the information in our text this week, there are two strategies that may help me in the future if a conflict in communication arises again. First I would support the discussion by focusing on the issue. By allowing our personal opinions to overcome us, we were not making ground in the disagreement. There came a point where the disagreement too personal and was not focused on the topic which we were there for. The second strategy is to consider the importance of the outcome. This strategy may help to focus the discussion as well as to improve communication by following the philosophy that I tell parents all the time: "Pick your battles".