Farewell and Good Luck

To all my colleagues,
As we near the end of our communication course I just wanted to thank everyone for their support, and ideas.  I have enjoyed reading your blogs and getting to know some of you personally.  We have had vivid discussions, shared frustrations, and we've shared our journeys together. It has been a pleasure for me to get to know you and wish you nothing but the best on your wonderful journeys.  Good luck.

johanaviles1@yahoo.com

Team Building and Collaboration

Sometimes dealing with groups is very difficult and other times it is a pure delight.  Friendships are built and professional relationships established.  Some of these aspects make it hard to say good-bye.  I think the hardest teams to leave are the ones with clearly established norms.  I think when you establish a routine with a group of people and you work together towards a common goal it is difficult to adjourn. Some of the closing rituals I have participated in were certificate or celebration ceremonies.  Some closing rituals have been dinner out.  I have no idea how we will adjourn from the colleagues I have worked with in this program.  I guess a lot of well-wishing will take place.  It would be cool if a group skype could be done. 

Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management

I'm sure that the conflict I will present will be shared by many.  As a stay at home mom, my husband and I are at odds about household chores.  For example, he believes that if I am the person at home, then all household duties fall to me.  I believe that if we live in the same household, then household duties should be shared.  It becomes frustrating, when he will not even load the dishwasher.

I am trying to take everything i am learning and trying to apply it.  It is easier said than done especially when I think I am right and he is wrong.   First, I learned I need to compromise more.  Maybe I need to negotiate with my husband certain duties.  Maybe we just need to be better connected so we can give and receive mutually.

Any advice on how to effectively communicate my desire for equitable distribution of chores?

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Communication

For your blog this week, think about the similarities and differences between how you evaluated yourself as a communicator and how others evaluated you. What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why? What other insights about communication did you gain this week? Choose at least two to share with others through your blog and consider how each might inform your professional work and personal life.


Well, I found these tests very interesting and the results for some aspects shocking.  My husband and best friend  found that I was a better communicator than I thought I was.  My best friend thought I was a better listener than I thought I was.    I found that interesting.  I don't know if it had to do with gender, or age, (my hubby is younger than I), or the fact that my friend has known me longer.  I was shocked at some of the questions on the exam because I would never think to offend someone because they didn't agree with my way of doing things or my opinion.  

Some things I learned are that others perceive us differently for many reasons. It is our job to try to give the perception we desire.