Likes Challenges Results To take charge Strengths

When working with a 'Dominance' personality you should:

be on time

stay on task

be direct

And avoid:

rambling or repeating yourself

Influence

When working with an 'Influence' personality you should:

be open to their playfulness

recognise their achievements

encourage their spontaneity

And avoid:

too much routine

Steadiness

When working with a 'Steadiness' personality you should:

prioritise work

be consistent

set deadlines

And avoid:

sudden changes in work structure

Compliance

When working with a 'Compliance' personality you should:

give clear instructions

set achievable tasks

be precise

And avoid:

skimping on details

Text Captions: When things go wrong

In group work situations, you’re likely to encounter many different challenges. Understanding different communication styles can help resolve any difficulties that arise.

How would you deal with difficulties in a team situation? Select the correct answer for each of the scenarios from the options provided on the following screens. Click the forward arrow to continue.

Text Captions: Working in Teams

When things go wrong

Q1

Would you...

Interrupt and talk louder than her?

Correct. It is important that everyone in the team has the opportunity to make decisions. You need to acknowledge Mai while letting others have their say. Acting inappropriately yourself will only make the situation worse.

Text Captions: Working in Teams

When things go wrong

Q2

Would you...

Announce the ending time at the start of the next meeting and ask if anyone has a scheduling conflict?

Correct. Opening the next meeting with a discussion about schedules is a good way to address this concern. It highlights the agreed ground rules and calls attention to the fact that team members should be available for the whole meeting.

Text Captions: Working in Teams

When things go wrong

Q3

Would you...

When one of them is next contributing to the team discussion, start a side conversation of your own?

Correct. Although it may be difficult, the best thing to do is to ask them as politely as possible to postpone their conversation. To function effectively team members need to be able to respect each other and work together on the team goals.

Text Captions: Working in Teams

When things go wrong

Q4

Would you...

Establish a 'round the table' protocol at meetings where each team member has a chance to speak in turn?

Correct. Addressing the issue publicly in a confronting way is not constructive, nor does it help the team to effectively communicate. Establishing a way for each team member to contribute is a good approach.

Text Captions:

When things go wrong

Follow these 4 steps to anticipate and resolve problems. Click on each step to learn more.

This 4 step approach has been adapted from:

Fisher, K., Tayner, S., & Belgard, W. (1995). Tips for teams: A ready reference for solving common team problems. New York: McGraw-Hill.

1. Acknowledge the problem

2. Understand the issues

3. Agree on a solution

4. Make an action plan

Gain some common ground on the problem.

Try to understand the problem from different angles.

Be open to other team members’ interpretation of the issues involved.

Be respectful of different perspectives, observations, and points of view.

Acknowledge that a problem exists and needs to be dealt with.

Raise the potential problem at a team meeting.

Ask team members if they are experiencing the same problem.

Your ultimate goal is to collaborate in reaching a solution that satisfies everyone's needs.

Suggest solutions, but be prepared to listen to other ideas too.

Attack the issue, not each other.

Focus on the problem and its cause, rather than others’ behaviours.

Agree to the actions each team member will need to take to resolve the problem.

Put the plan into action, and continue discussing any issues that occur._

The problem will only be fully resolved if everyone's needs are met, and there is an agreed way forward.

Which of these habits are good or bad? Drag across to see if you are correct!

GOOD HABITS

Anticipate and resolve problems

Remain calm

Express your feelings and concerns

Address problems as they arise

Be ready for compromise

Actively listen to what others are saying

Deal with one problem at a time

Try to take others’ perspectives

Don’t interrupt

Be specific about what is bothering you

BAD HABITS

Withdraw or avoid the problem

Criticise

Become defensive

Fight to win

Place blame

Deny responsibility

Keep score

Focus on the person, not the problem

Refuse to collaborate

Text Captions: Receiving feedback on your work

Click on each part of the diagram to find out more about each technique for receiving feedback.

Ask

Acknowledge

Action plan

Thank you

When requesting feedback, let the person know why you are requesting it. Try to be specific in your request.

Listen to what they are saying without interrupting. Show your interest through body language and verbal clues (nodding, saying 'yes').

Develop an action plan for improvement. Discussing the issue with someone may give you a new perspective.

Express your appreciation. It is sometimes just as difficult to give feedback as it is to hear it.

Show the person that you have been actively listening by summarising or paraphrasing their words. Ask for specific examples of what isn’t working so that you can find ways to improve.

Text Captions: Giving feedback to others

Giving peer feedback is a way of making a valuable contribution to another person’s learning. Click on the boxes to see some tips for giving helpful feedback:

TIP

accomplishments, and link these to the team’s goals.

Be honest and constructive in your evaluation. Provide a balance between positive and negative feedback.

Use specific examples. Avoid generalising words such as “always/never”.

Don’t use personal, nasty or overly emotive language.

Text Captions: Using feedback to improve

Click on the arrows to learn about each step.

Action

Set aside time to review all the information and data you have gathered from evaluation, feedback, and reflection. Compare the feedback you have received from peers, tutors, and lecturers with your self-reflections.

Although it is uncomfortable receiving negative feedback, it does contain a lot of useful data that is intended to be helpful. Use positive feedback as an indicator of what to continue doing next time, rather than simply shrugging it off.

Plan how you will improve by coming up with specific goals and objectives based on the feedback you received.

Focus on your goals and objectives. It won't be easy but don't give up! Accepting and turning evaluation, feedback, and reflection into action will help you develop, improve, and grow at UWA.

Text Captions: Well done, you have completed this module!