Wendy Newby - Have I asked the right question?: April 2013

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

And there is so much more......

Dear Colleagues,
Over the past eight weeks plus 62 weeks, I have grown to appreciate the tremendous complexity of what it means to be human: in our physical development from birth, in our cognitive and emotional development, but most importantly in our understanding of what it means to be me-my culture-and the potential I have and each of us has to influence the world in which we live. It has been inspiring to learn from your experiences, to consider contrary opinions and to apply theory to validate what I know. Thank you for taking the time to influence my understanding of the world, and may I demonstrate greater respect for diversity because of the relationships that have been forged through great discussion. Wendy

I can't believe the milestone is so quickly approaching. Congratulations to each of you.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Hard to say Good-bye

The early childhood conference committee departed from the traditional format, venue and menu to present a full day workshop unlike any other for our organization. The committee contained new volunteers, new ideas and an willingness to take risks. Once established and the roles were assigned the team quickly began performing and by the time of the conference everyone was able to relax and enjoy an inspiring and enjoyable day. We were not ready to adjourn the committee immediately after the conference, but waited two weeks to enjoy the exhilaration. To celebrate the committee met together for a nice dinner and reviewed the written evaluations. For the first time in years there were very few complaints about parking and food; furthermore, the new format was extremely well received. The characteristics of the group that made it hard to good-bye are: (1) the event results reinforced efforts to be innovative beyond what we had imagined; (2) individuals from competing stakeholders worked together cooperatively establishing new collaborative relationships; and (3) volunteers, participants and venders all left feeling refreshed and anxiously anticipating the next conference.

When my Early Childhood Master’s program is complete I know I will miss the insights and provocation of the discussion board. I have already been thinking about how I might be able to host a discussion board for my local colleagues. I have always anxiously anticipated the weekly discussions. For a collaborative project to maintain its value and freshness I have learned I have to share the skills and experience. Adjourning is a like a dandelion going to seed and being scattered by the wind. If it simply stayed a yellow flower it could share its power.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Strategies to Resolve Conflict

What strategies could I employ to resolve a conflict situation with a co-worker?

Studying the text this week provided labels for strategies I can use to improve the work relationship with a coworker with whom there is decided tension. O’Hair & Wiemann (2012) identified my current strategy as “communication boundary management” (p. 228); however, the avoidance of communicating beyond surface topics has not improved the status of the relationship. To determine two strategies that will lead to progress and resolve the conflict, I determined I needed to examine the source of the conflict. O’Hair & Wiemann suggest “conflicts arise when the costs of an interpersonal relationship outweigh the rewards” (p. 247). Early in our work relationship I learned that I was being undermined and misrepresented by the co-worker to others in the department, which has led to trust issues. I appreciated the encouragement from The Center for Nonviolent Communication (NVC) (n.d.) that proposes skills that “will help you receive critical and hostile messages without taking them personally, giving in, or losing self-esteem” (p. 1). Therefore my first strategy I have taken from Billikopf (2009), to buffer myself with NVC skills and bring the conflict to the coworker’s attention. “It takes more skill, effort and commitment to face the challenge together with the other person involved in the dispute” (Billikopt, 2009, p. 1). I am worried about the possible outcomes of avoidance, yielding, or no longer caring, and opening myself to the reality of the ways I have contributed to the problem. However, the rewards of effective communication, and a positive relationship make it worth trying to change. To prepare for the conversation The Third Side (n.d.) encourages “Going to the Balcony” (p. 1). First, I need to take time to prepare mentally. Second, I have to be honest with myself about my emotions so they will not disrupt the dialogue. And finally, I must listen to understand. I think the last step will be the hardest, as I must put aside old assumptions and judgments to discover a new perspective.

References

Billikopf, G. (2009, August). Conflict management skills. Retrieved from http://cnr.berkeley.edu/ucce50/ag-labor/7labor/13.htm

O’Hair, D. & Wiemann, M. (2012) Real communication: An introduction (2^nded.). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins

The Third Side. (n.d.). The third side. Retrieved from http://www.thirdside.org/

Personal Childhood Web

Joanie Peterson, my mother, was very engaged in my life from birth. I was the oldest and the only child until I was five. I was loved,my mother spent time with me by including me in whatever activities needed to be done. I remember the old tile floor in the kitchen that had to be waxed regularly. When the wax dried, my mother would give me an old towel to stand on and she would put on music and we would dance the twist until the tiles were buffed. My mother was finishing her bachelor degree in psychology and English during my first three years. I had the opportunity to meet lots of people in a community of shared values. I had time to play uninterrupted and my play was very creative and complex, with hours outside. I was read to and the value of learning was instilled in me early, but not in a competitive way, to be recognized as the best, but in a very personal way. Was I giving the task or the skill my best effort? Her approach to parenting developed intrinsic motivation in me. I am a great team player, motivated and satisfied to make sure the team does well. The measure of achievement is the level to which I tried my best. I can take a risk to take on a new challenge, because I know my mother will always love me. I value personal responsibility.

Rev. Merton Peterson, my father, was finishing seminary and pastoring his first church when I was born. I remember sitting on his lap, watching him type, helping fold bulletins, turning the handle on the old mimeograph machine, and going on home visits with him, when he needed to visit families from the church. We did not have material wealth, but I never felt poor We had enough that we could share. My did believed in me, when there was something I needed to do or learn he always spoke as though I had already mastered the task. I believe he spoke with confidence, because he has prayed for me every day of my life. Being a pastor's child means you learn manners, expectations and hospitality very early. We had lots of company. I loved giving up my bedroom and sleeping in a sleeping bag so the missionaries could have my room when they visited. I would listen to stories of their experiences in different countries and how they would help build homes and schools and grow crops wile they shared that Jesus loved them. I share my family's faith in God and the value that people are more important than things.

My extended family did not live close to me as I was growing up. But my grandmothers and aunt were prolific letter writers. We visited family every holiday, making holidays feel very special. I would listen to the adults share stories about family and friends. I knew that family were there for each other. My great-great grandparents were homesteaders. There was a strong sense of work ethic practiced. There were ranchers and there were farmers. It takes commitment and self determination to make it work. The entire family has to help to get the cattle in or harvest the crops. I remember the first time I was allowed to go on a cattle drive. I was probably seven. The strong connection to aunts, uncles and cousins as we spent the day on horseback gathering the cattle that were scattered among the trees and meadows in the foothills was exhilarating—I belonged, I was given worthwhile work. The farming family was an even stronger influence on my work ethic. When we visited the farm there was always tasks I could participate in: picking fruits and vegetables to can or freeze for my families use and when I got older picking melons or driving a tractor. It was part of being a member of my family. My family values hard work and integrity.

The church community provided a foundation of belonging and strength in conviction. Looking back I can appreciate that those families made sacrifices to make I had what I needed. The children were my friends, we could discuss the roles we were in and decisions we faced from a shared set of values. I never felt alone. As a community we looked out for each other. The community demonstrated living the values they held.

School Environment, Most people cannot imagine going to a school that houses children from kindergarten through senior high in the same building. Still the school community had enough diversity of values that it was a great place to have my values challenged and for me to exercise the decisions to stand true to my values. With only thirteen in my graduate class, but still the roles and functions of any school, there was so much opportunity to try out many different tasks. There were sports, student council officers, music, drama and clubs. I tried it all, because in a school that small everyone needs to get involved to have enough participants. My work ethic and integrity rewarded me with responsibility and opportunities. The most unusual was a flight class to learn to be a pilot, which included flight hours in a small plane. In the state I was raised, schools were the hub of activity for rural communities. Everyone came to all the events. People valued being together.