Communication_and_Collaboration

he purpose of this paper is to discuss strategies that I have developed for communicating and collaborating effectively within a group of individuals with different learning styles and personality types. I will be identifyiny three different learning styles and developing a strategy for communication and collaboration for each. I will also identify three different personality types and develop a strategy for effective communication and collaboration for those as well. Before I begin, I think it is important to understand the meaning of the words communication and collaboration. The definition of communication is: a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior; (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communication) and the definition of collaboration is: to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor; (http://merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collaboration). I believe that in order for a group of individuals to function successfully as a team, they each must understand one another’s personality and learning styles. The three learning styles I will address today are; bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal and verbal linguistic. The individuals with the bodily-kinesthetic learning style are able to absorb knowledge while moving around versus sitting at a desk. The strategy that I would use for these types of learners would be to encourage them to keep active while studying class material. They could do things like; run on the treadmill, listen to music or walk around their room while studying. The individuals with the interpersonal learning style learn well through interaction with others. The strategy that I would use for these types of learners would be to suggest having discussions about team assignments over the phone, rather than over the computer. The individuals with the verbal linguistic learning style learn through written or spoken materials. The strategy that I would use for these types of learners would be to turn assignments into word games. Next, I will discuss three personality styles; organizer, giver and adventurer. Because the individuals with the organizer personality style often tend to enjoy being in “control” of the situation, I would appoint them as the team leader. Because the individuals with the giver personality style enjoy studying with and helping others, the strategy that I would use would be to have this person as a confidant for the team. Often times, students feel ignorant for asking questions, so they usually don’t. I believe that if there was at least one person who the members of the team felt comfortable with asking, then the team would be at more of an understanding. Because the individuals with the adventurer personality style function better in an environment that is fast paced and hands on, the strategy that I would use would be to come up with a hands on approach to completing assignments. In conclusion, I would like to say, that I do not believe there is any right or wrong personality or learning style nor is there one that is better than the other, and I think it is very important for individuals to understand this. By doing so, I believe it will allow them to function successfully as a team.