Communication Skills

Communication is a major role in organizations and especially in teams. If a team doesn't have communication, how are they suppose to meet due dates and complete goals. I have always had positive communication skills in whatever job or team I've been a part of. For this project our group has had great communication. By meeting multiple times a week, our group is constantly communicating outside of class. We make it work by making it easy to get a hold of one another.

Communication was one of the strong personality traits during my self-assessment. Communication has always been important to me throughout my life. In order to be a great team member for this project, I always communicate with my group, whether it's via email, phone calls, or text messages. We live in a fast pace world, where technology has made it easier to communicate with one another.

Jesse Filo

motivation - kayleigh

Motivation has always been the make or break point in a group project. The worst group projects, with disorganized results, almost always stem from lack of motivation and conflicting group goals. This hasn't been the case during this project, as everyone is working together to achieve our goals. This is due to the motivation we have to complete this project, and to complete it successfully.

Being at HALO, physically interacting with the chlidren was ultimate motivation. It proved that we were making a difference, and the project isn't just on paper anymore. We are motivated to continue our success and continue seeing the results we have achieved.

Motivation

Motivation has played a huge role in our project. Motivation has been very positive in each team member every week so far. As we get together each week to talk about what were going to do at the homeless shelter, we are all motivated to think of the best ideas, and create the best agenda. Motivation has allowed us to come up with each theme every week as we go to the homeless shelter. Motivation has helped every member greatly each week. We are all motivated to help the children were working with, and we all want to get the best footage.

As the project continues, motivation will play a huge role during production. We will be motivated to use many different types of media in our production to make the best video. For this whole project we were all motivated to set goals, and make the best project possible.

-Jesse Filo-

Perceptions and decision making

I have never really liked to do group work on school projects. It almost always ends up being a last minute effort to whip something together. usually nobody steps up to lead the group. when i heard that in Organizations we have a major group project i perceived a bunch of people in my group not wanting to be there. once our groups were formed I realized that this project was one that was defiantly not going to be whipped together. It seems that everyone in my group has at least one point in their life where they have had to pull a group together and lead. my perceptions greatly changed on that first day when we delegated tasks throughout the group. I think our group is special in that we all know what needs to be done and that we can count on one another to all meet at the end goal. decision making in our group has been very easy because my fellow group members are all very willing to dedicate their time and pitch in.

I'm hopeful that the children we are helping at the HALO organization will learn from our group the importance of teamwork and perceiving one another as equals.

Perceptions and Decision Making

I had a positive perception of this multi-media project when we first learned about it, because this project is different than the typical business projects we usually do in college. Instead of making a PowerPoint presentation and doing a speech, we get to go out in the real world and make a video. When I was first put in my group I had a perception about every member in it. Just by meeting them and talking for a couple of minutes I made a general impression about each of them. They all left me with positive impressions, which I made from a noticeable characteristic each of them had. This is called the halo effect. Throughout this project I have had a positive perception on what were going to complete.

We have had to make many decisions during this project. Our group has done very well while making decisions. While brainstorming every member has taken in everyone’s opinions and we’ve made all our decisions smoothly together. Even when we had our first field day, we had to think on our toes, and as a group we successfully made the right decisions to have a positive experience.

As this project continues my perception keeps becoming more and more positive. I am excited to go out and volunteer more, and to make more positive decisions together.

-Jesse Filo-

Perceptions and Decision Making - Kayleigh

I have mixed perceptions about group projects, especially when it comes to school work. I usually like to lead the project, and be in total control. When I first joined this group, Rebecca clearly seemed to have the best upfront qualities to become the project leader. I had a Business Writing class with Rebecca last semester, and I perceived her as an organized, take-charge leader. My perceptions were correct as she brings those qualities and more to this project. I was also happy to see my group all had the same general goals and outlooks for this project, and it was easier to work together.

Based on our ability to see a common goal, we have had an easy time making major decisions during this process. Our project has many different aspects, and we need to agree on everything in order to execute properly and professionally. The bottom line meaning we have to compromise and work together. Most decisions are unanimous, and if someone has a discrepancy, his or her point is clearly made - and then reflected to the others.

I feel our group has an easy time making decisions for our project, as we perceive each other as equals. I do not feel that any member is unable to do their work completely or inadequately. We really came together as a group today during our first trip to HALO.

Perceptions and Decision Making - Rebecca

When we began this project, I had a fear of working with groups - I didn't like the idea of depending on other people to get a grade for a class. Once the project started, I learned that my perceptions of the individuals in my group were not what they should have been. In stead of believing that I would be in a failing group like my past groups, I learned that once people opened up we all had a similar personality structure - attitudes and ideas.

Because of the personalities in the group, the decision making process has generally been pretty straight forward. We have been able to collaborate as a group and come to a conclusion that everyone agrees with. We take more of a rational decision-making route, mainly because there are a lot of things we would have Enjoyed doing with this project, but there are only certain things that we can actually reasonably accomplish. So we have been able to analyze situations and give each other valid ideas to accomplish multiple tasks with the greatest success.

With working with the children, we have been able to chose between a variety of activities and chose between whether or not something is related to the lesson we intend to teach.

Personality Traits

I would have to agree with the other people in the group and say that the main thing that the majority of us have contributed is our extroversion.

I have learned from experience (of attending 3 different college campuses) that it can be challenging to approach a new group of people and expect them to deliver on a project that you're all graded on.

I think that my most dominant personality trait would have to be my extroversion. As mentioned in the first blog, I am a very type-A individual. I don't have a fear of talking in front of people or taking initiative, and I love to have conversations with people I haven't met before. This has positively impacted the group project in that we have been able to all brainstorm a group of ideas and find the pros and cons of ideas without taking offense to someones constructive comments. If an idea didn't seem manageable, someone was able to step forward and say so, and no offense was taken by the other person/people in the group. Because we are all so open to getting ideas from other people in the group, we have been able to use this trait to expand our knowledge in other areas, and ask questions we didn't know the answers to.

I also think that agreeableness has been a huge part of the project. We have had positive experience thus far with all of the people in the group stepping out of the "norm" and taking a leader role in some form or another. If there is something that needs to be done and someone asks another person, there has not been one incident where that person has responded with a "No.". This is so great because there is so much to be done to accomplish a project like this one, and the best and most efficient way to accomplish it is to be agreeable and take initiative.

The most prominent impact I believe this has had on the group is that we have been able to build a relationship under the circumstance that we share a common goal and interest. We want to help people. I think that that is what is going to make us most successful.

personality traits - kayleigh

I was able see qualities and attitudes I see in myself reinforced by participating in the self-assessment surveys and by writing the self-assessment paper. These excercises are also beneficial as I sit here and write this blog, and comment on my three strongest personality traits that have proved to be a positive role in this project.

First, I'm a very outgoing (extraverted) person. I fully express myself in words and dialogue, and I find it easy to connect with others. I feel more productive when others are around me. I'm a very sociable person and feel that has made a positive difference when interacting with my group members. Second, I am an assertive individual, and I see that as a positive trait. I feel it is important to speak my mind and to let my group know my thoughts and ideas. I feel having many different voices and opinions can create a very diverse, and very productive final product.

Lastly, I feel that I'm a very trustworthy person, and I hope my group members know they can depend on me for anything. Even with my crazy work schedule, if I can't make it to a group meeting, I will try to e-mail Rebecca my thoughts and suggestions to start discussion with the other group members, until I can make the meeting in person. My group can trust me in the fact I will do everything I say I will.

These qualities, combined with my group members strong qualities, will be beneficial for this project.

Personality Traits

My dominant personality traits have allowed me to have a positive role in my group. I am an extrovert which means, I am social, talkative, and an assertive person. This has allowed me to know and get along with my group members. This has had a positive affect during the project because, I share my input and ideas, and I’m not afraid to ask my fellow members questions. By being talkative I have got to know my team members on a more personal level. This has created a positive impact on this project because it helps our team be comfortable around each other, and get down to business. I am a dependable person, so I am always there for my group. I respond and communicate with my group members right away, and will accomplish any assignment. Overall my personality, and my fellow group member’s personalities have meshed, which has made this project a positive experience.

I am excited for us to work with the children at the HALO center. Our personalities will affect the way we work with the kids, and I know that all of our personalities will have a positive effect on the children we work with.

-Jesse Filo-

Attitudes

My attitude toward this project has greatly changed. When we were first assigned this project I really disliked the idea of having to go our and volunteer my time to something. Once I fell into my group I realized that we are really doing a positive thing and now I am extremely excited about this opportunity to volunteer. Each member of Helping Them Help Themselves is very devoted to making sure this project is a success. Everyone is bringing positive attitudes and making a genuine effort to make a difference in someone’s life. The communication between our group members thus far has been excellent. Everyone brings their own ideas and contributes making great use of every time we meet up. We have been working closely with the HALO organization and they are very excited to have us coming out to help.

Attitudes - Rebecca Grupp

Good attitudes in our group have definitely made the project extremely successful thus far. Our group as a whole is very good with communication, open mindedness, and openness to ideas which have helped us to get the best possible ideas out on the table. We have been able to proactively participate as a unit with the HALO foundation and maximize the amount of people we can positively impact.
When we began the project, none of us really knew who anyone else was; we just came together because of a common interest - the interest in helping children. Surprisingly, each person had similar personality traits, making their attitudes somewhat parallel. We have been able to see how each person handles situations emotionally. Everyone is earnest to help. Looking at the situations of the underprivileged children (from statistics, and the excitement of others when we ask what we can do to help) and comparing them to our own situations really brought us closer in the sense that compassion for them is so great. Based on this, all of our behaviors have changed accordingly. You can see the obvious change in everyone’s behavior in their willingness to reach out and be a part of someone else’s life. Taking the time to recognize someone else’s needs.

-Rebecca Grupp

attitude blog - Kayleigh

I have a favorable attitude towards the project, and above all, a positive attitude for my team and our progress thus far. My attitude is positive, as I feel our group is well-organized and on the right track. Staying dedicated and keeping up with our tasks for the project will lead to a favorable outcome in the near future. This is based on my cognitive component of my attitude, as I believe we will have a successful overall project. The affective component of my attitude, deals with how I feel towards my group members and the project itself. We have constantly kept in contact and have kept our project organized to the last detail. This leads to an overall trust in each and every group member, which is ultimately favorable in any group project. I also feel that I will be making a difference by carrying out our project, which also relates to the affective part of my attitude. Lastly, as I feel dedicated and excited about our events, I’m looking forward to physically carrying them out. It will be rewarding to see our hard work and planning executed. I also am willing to put in the needed effort to make sure the project is a success.
With the initial weeks quickly going by, our group is starting to execute the project within the next few days. I can only hope to improve on my already positive attitude once I feel like I made a difference.

-Kayleigh

Attitudes

Attitudes have been greatly involved in this multi-media project. By being part of a group, a person needs to work together with the other members to make a successful project. As a team member of Helping Them Help Themselves (H2T2) I feel that we have a strong, organized, hardworking team. We have persistent, communicative, and creative members who are willing to do their end of the work: because of this, I like my team. This is my attitude about this project. I have a positive attitude toward this project, because I enjoy my team and the work we are accomplishing. Underlying my attitude is my cognition, which is my opinion or belief segment of my attitude. My cognition of this project is that I work well with my team, and we have accomplished everything we needed to so far. Therefore, I feel this is an adequate project. This affects me by making me like my team members, and wanting to successfully complete this project. My behavior is that I’m going to show up for every team meeting, attend every event, help with the video, and help accomplish this project.

-Jesse Filo-

Re-Do of Entry One

Oops! As an avid personal blogger, I registered our group under a livejournal.com account, and missed the specific directions, thus here we are on blogger.com instead! And below is our first entry imported from our old blog.
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Hey everyone!
First and foremost, I think the group members of "Helping Them Help Themselves" (or H2T2, for short) want to introduce ourselves. I'm Kayleigh - and I'll be the primary blogger for our group in Organizations 330-405, discussion 606 @ 8:00 a.m. (Early, we know!) Rebecca, Jesse, Scott, and Dan are the other team members.

If I had to describe my group members (after these 2 weeks) I'd say:
Rebecca is our fearless, type-A (in a good way!) project leader and organizer
Jesse is full of ideas & always ready to execute
Scott is our "tech-ie" and is supportive
and Dan is the new kid on the block, willing to dive right into the project with us.
And, as for me?...I'd say I'm the creative one, but with realistic expectations.To further understand our team name ('helping them help themselves'), we have to get down to the details of our project idea. We all have a passion for helping others, so we decided to donate our time to a cause, instead of just planning one large fundraiser. Another concept we all agreed on, was the ability we have, as young adults, to make an impact on a child's life.

Long story short, Rebecca has close ties with an organization that supervises children (ages 4+) after school, because their parents cannot afford child care services. We decided as a group to go meet with these children numerous times over the semester and become a part of their lives. During these visits, our group wanted to teach the children important values and life lessons - but all with a fun twist!

Ideas included:
-an "olympics" day, that teaches the children the importance of physical activity as well as setting - and succeeding - personal goals
-"kids in the kitchen", where we teach children healthy snacks that they can make with their friends and family
...and many more! We can't give away all our ideas just yet. The bottom line: H2t2 is getting excited to start this project!