Kelly, I can appreciate your situation! It sounds like you really care about people in general. So what do you think you can do to build more confidence in working with teams where you have a different idea?
Dr. Jean Norris
I would have to say that my type of team member largely depends on the team that I am on. If I am on a team that is working on something that I know very well and feel comfortable with then I would have to say that I am a shaper. I would like to work on being able to give people more honest feedback. I've always found it hard to tell something politely why I am not a fan of their ideas.
Daniel, You sound like a real team player! Thank you for sharing!
Dr. Jean Norris
I am definitely a shaper/coordinator. I enjoy challenging the norm, leading discussions and pushing people to think outside the box along with me. I also like to delegate tasks and roles to effectively utilize my team mates and also try to make sure to pick up the slack in any weakness that we have.
Wilmer, Delegating is not easy for a lot people, so you are not alone. It's important, as you said, to be aware of your settings and know which role you play in each. Great job.
Dr. Jean Norris
I think I am a mix of roles. I thrive on completing a task hence a completer or finisher. I love seeing my checklist be depleted. I also enjoy getting things done and am rather organized and disciplined about my tasks-Implementer. On the other hand I can take a team worker approach to things as well and support others 100% and I hate to see people not get along. If I can help it to not be so I will do it. In a bigger setting, I can tend to be uncommitted in vocalizing my opinion, yet in other situations I can be very vocal and get things done. I guess it depends on where I am at. I do find it hard to delegate most times and prefer to get things done than just talk about it. My best solution for who I am is to assess the situation where I am at. Basically, know my role in the group that I am in for the moment. Some groups, I am to be the team player and nothing more, while others I am to be the Implementer/Completer, and in yet others I may be called on to be the coordinator. This last one is the hardest for me, so it appears as if I will have to continue working on my delegation skills.
Heather, Interesting! What is your team role when a leader has already been identified?
Dr. Jean Norris
My preferred role is the team leader, and I will naturally gravitate to that role if there is not someone already in that role. I am very flexible and can take on most roles depending on what is needed.
Chelsea,
So it sounds like you practice flexibility in your style. Is that correct?
Dr. Jean Norris
I think I change as the projects, and students change.
Thelma, Great awareness! What are the steps you will take to work on your approach with your team members?
Dr. Jean Norris
I am the shaper. Very extroverted and like to shake things up when they become stale. I need to work on my approach with other teammenbers because they sometimes take my challenge of a situation wrong and it becomes argumentative.
Emily,
Great awareness! Thank you for sharing.
Dr. Jean Norris
Given all of the characteristics of each type of team member I would say that I am a mix between a team worker, a shaper, and a resource investigator. Not only am I very enthusiastic and outgoing but I also take a role in helping other team members get along with each other as well as constantly shaking things up.
Christopher,
So true! Thank you for sharing.
Dr. Jean Norris
I find myself to be more of a thought - plant person. I try to bring in new ideas and think outside of the box. If we do the same thing all the time we get the same results plus change will keep it interesting to other employees.
I'll bet there are a few teams that would love your completer/finisher skills! How do you think your role impacts the team?
Dr. Jean Norris
I would consider myself to be the completer finisher. I need to see everythigh through and that it is done correctly.
Cinthia,
This is such a great opportunity, isn't it? The ability to align what people prefer and put it into practice each and every day. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. Jean Norris
Is important when people enjoy to assist in helping find resolutions to problems. Specifically when you work with students and we can put into practice the ability to communicate and assist them.
