Resource 16: How to raise self-awareness when working in a group |
Activity for
extended individual reflection.
Over the next
week, listen to yourself talking in different contexts such as a seminar
group, with different friends, to someone in authority and with your family.
· Are
you going on too long?
· Are
you embellishing?
· Are
you making little, subtle jabs at people?
· Are
you unconsciously working to express your own importance or superior knowledge
or your lack of stature in the group etc.?
Try to be honest with yourself. We all do these things on occasions but few of us are required to observe ourselves critically. It might help you to keep a log of particularly memorable conversations and jot down how you communicated and what you felt. By observing ourselves (and others) talking we become conscious of both good and bad habits. A log or diary can help you to track your progress and so see how you have 'improved' over the week.
When participating
in group work, whatever you need to say needs only to pass the simple test
of teamwork: Are you saying something that is germane to the team as a
whole? Is it relevant to the group's
· objectives?
· overriding
vision?
· tasks
it has set out for itself?
Remember to be direct, relevant and respectful of others.
You may want
to refer to (R15) for ways of improving communication.