Communication_and_Collaboration_Strategies

Communication and Collaboration Strategy Tonisha P. Jackson Gen200 January 17, 2011 Michael Redzich An effective communication and collaboration strategy, within a group, is important. It will help them to have an understanding of what makes the group work well together. Developing this strategy would require the group to discuss each person’s learning style and personality type. This would be important because the group would want to utilize each person’s strengths, while helping each other to improve on the weaknesses. So how does a group find out the learning styles and personality types' Each person should take a learning style and personality assessment. These assessments will help to narrow down how each person learns and how they respond to people and the world around them. First is the learning style assessment. A learning style is the mind’s particular way of taking in and processing information (Carter, 2007). A learning style assessment helps each person to identify his/her learning style. Multiple Pathways to Learning, based on Professor Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory, is an example of a learning style assessment (Carter, 2007). The group, taking this assessment, may find learning styles such as Logical-Mathematical, Visual-Spatial, and Musical. Beginning with Logical-Mathematical, each style will be looked at in a little more detail. * The Logical-Mathematical person is able to understand logic and problem solving, using math, science, patterns and sequences. They organize material and explain that material sequentially to someone, develop systems and find patterns, write outlines, use charts and graphs, and analyze information. * The Visual-Spatial person is able to perceive and create images using visual art, graphic design, and charts and maps. They draw mind maps, develop chart and graphs, use color in notes, and visualize material. * The musical person is able to create meaningful sound and recognize patterns using music and sensitivity to wound and patterns. They create rhythms out of words, play instrumental music or write raps, and put new material to music they already know. After looking at each style, it appears that they are all connected to patterns, images, and organization. Based on this, an effective way of communicating and collaborating would be to utilize the organization skills and any visual aids. Next is the personality assessment. Now that the group has determined each person’s learning style, they need to find out about the personality types. A personality assessment will help them to identify how they react to people and the world around them. The Personality Spectrum, based on the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI), is an example of a personality assessment (Carter, 2007). The group, taking this assessment, may find personality types such as Giver, Organizer, and Thinker. As with the learning styles, these personality types will be looked at in a little more detail. * The Giver is a person that is honest, adaptable, open, and communicates with others. * The Organizer is a person that is responsible, systematic, loyal, and disciplined. * The Thinker is a person that is analytical, logical, precise, and a problem solver. Effective communication and collaboration among this group would be structured and organized. This would definitely work well for the Organizer and Thinker. The Giver is adaptable, so he/she should be able to manage using this strategy. Most people will be part of group or team at some point in life. The success of that group or team depends on an effective way of communicating and collaborating. This can be accomplished if each person is aware of his/her learning style and personality type. Taking assessments will help the group narrow down the information and capitalize on the strengths of each person. Works Cited Carter, C. B. (2007). Keys to College Studying: Becoming an active thinker. Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA.