Chapter 4: Building a Collaborative Culture
In Chapter 4 of The Connected Educator, Nussbaum-Beach and Hall emphasize the importance of creating a collaborative culture. These principles resonate deeply with my experience as a computer science major and during my summer internship at the Federal Aviation Association. In the chapter, we are taught to not only focus on the work we go through with our peers but to focus more on creating strong relationships. Something I did during my career that I can do with the chapter was during my internship. One of the biggest strengths I brought to my team was my interpersonal skills. I connected with my team members on a more meaningful level, which helped create a supportive environment where I was able to learn more from them personally.
Putting relationships first, as the authors suggest, is foundational in a collaborative environment. During my internship, I found that prioritizing connections with colleagues went a long way in creating a smoother workflow. For instance, I spent time getting to know my teammates’ perspectives and goals, which made collaborating on projects much more efficient. I was very honest and transparent in how I was feeling with the workload, which helped build trust. In the same way, I see this approach benefiting my future career in software engineering. Software development is rarely a solo endeavor as it requires strong connections and understanding among team members, often under tight deadlines and pressure. Especially when you have to work on the first part of a project and hand off the project to another team member. By building trust and showing genuine interest in others’ ideas, I can create a space where everyone feels valued, a skill that Chapter 4 speaks of as essential in any professional setting.
What practices do you think help build stronger relationships in a team? Also, what are some ways you could build a trusting relationship with your colleagues when working online digitally? As I continue to learn more and more about building relationships to stay connected with my community, I'd love to hear your thoughts on how we can stay connected.
I had a friend who interned with the Federal Aviation Administration, so it was really interesting to hear how that experience connected with the points discussed in this chapter. I agree with you that prioritizing relationships is crucial, as it allows the workplace to run smoothly and helps collaboration and meetings go well. Building relationships also means getting to know your coworkers on an emotional intelligence level, which is essential for understanding who you're working with and how best to interact with them. One practice I use to build stronger relationships within a team is icebreakers. Getting to know someone personally can help foster a deeper connection. And when you’ve built those relationships, it becomes easier to identify who would be the best fit to assist with a project. By learning your colleagues' strengths and skill sets, you’re able to collaborate more effectively and ensure that tasks are completed successfully.
ReplyDeleteI also mentioned in my blog how important collaboration is in careers like yours. It is good to see that you have already tried applying these strategies in your life. Summer internship at the Federal Aviation Association sounds so cool. I hope you enhance these skills further on!
ReplyDeleteIt really resonated with me when you mentioned putting interpersonal relationships first will directly lead to a more positive and efficient workplace environment. It makes sense considering you would really understand your peers on a deeper level. Federal Aviation Association sounds dope!
ReplyDeletePrioritizing connections with colleagues for a better work flow is a very mature perspective that I could learn a lot from. Being able to connect with your peers has proven to be lucrative in my work as well, in that we are able to share lessons and new ideas/techniques to remain fresh and new. Because of this, all of our meetings go smoothly because like you're saying we already have a relationship. What does your ideal team member act/function like in your work environment?
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