Where do I start? Kudos to Aimee for being very well prepared in presenting information to the class! She did a great job of encouraging discussion of the topics amongst our classmates. I found the discussions very interesting as people shared their work and team experiences with the class. There was also the fresh perspective from those who have not really been out in the working world yet, a perspective I don’t hear too often, and one I may have had many moons ago. Time and experience have definitely changed that perspective! Sharing information in class was something I definitely enjoyed, even though I did more listening than speaking.
“Fish� was a great way to send off the class, in that it inspired people to have more fun at work and to take pride in what they do. Work is a given for almost all of us, and I think the tools recommended in “Fish� can go a long way in creating a better work environment. These principles are ones that I may have learned in the past, but it was a good reminder to me that positive changes can yield positive results, and “ruts� are only as temporary as you make them (most of the time).
�The Tipping Point� was a great perspective on group dynamics and was encouraging in showing how individuals can make a big difference in life! I enjoyed reading this, as well as the Goleman and Fujishin books, and I think that the reading materials were all excellent in providing insight into teamwork, group interaction, self-analysis and leadership. There was a good balance of reading materials, written assignments, class activities and presentations. Many of my other classes have relied too heavily on one or the other, and the work becomes tedious. Way to mix it up, Aimee!
I am taking from this course some very useful information on team, group and leadership concepts. Although some of it I already knew through experience, it was good reinforcement for me. I learned some new things as well, and I think covering the aspects of prominent leaders in our WebQuest presentations was inspirational. I consider myself a leader at times, when I choose to play the role. This class has re-emphasized for me the important fact that there is always room for improvement, and that input is necessary from all members of a team in order for the team to be successful. Hopefully the self-analyses will help people to get to know themselves better, and help them recognize their strengths and weaknesses. This has worked for me over the years, and I definitely advocate this practice. There is always room for improvement, and you should always shoot for the stars. After all, we all have things that we can leave behind when we depart from this life. In the meantime, enjoy the journey, learn, share, and love the life!
Hi Bob - Thanks for your kind words. The class definitely benefitted from your work experiences. Thank you for all your insight and perspectives.
I'm glad the assignments and books all added something for you. If you think of anything that could be tweaked or if you find material that may be more beneficial to the course, please let me know. As you may know, I'm always open to suggestions - in fact, I encourage them.
I sure will take your advice "enjoy the journey, learn, share, and love the life" to heart. Although I stray from the path now and then (and we all do), I always seem to find my way back. Please keep in touch as you move into a career in technical communication, and let me know how I can assist you in your journey. Take care.
Posted by: Aimee at December 12, 2005 8:46 PM