To: Donna
Shea, Instructor
From:
Date:
Subject: WR6 Students Helping Students Through Effective
Workgroups
This is an interesting assignment and one that I plan to encourage the Human
Resource Dept. at my place of employment to implement and carry out as a part
of the training and orientation for new employees and raise the competence
level for current employees.
As I work my way through these assignments I can’t help but think how much better,
more efficient and effective treatment center we would be if these ideas and
concepts were put into action.
My first groups of students are level 4 students that have a clear purpose, values,
roles and goals. They have solid communication skills, appreciation for each
other and high moral. These students have become leaders in the field of
chemical dependency and share a passion to help others acquire the same. I will
assign them to assist my second group of students who are at level 1. The level
1 student's are having some anxiety about their roles, lack clarity about their
purpose, have unrealistic expectations and are dependent on authority for
direction and support.
What I will assign the level 4 students to do is assist and direct the level
1 student's in clarifying their roles and goals as drug and alcohol counselors.
Have them orient the level 1 students to the policies and procedures,
confidentially and boundaries when dealing with clients. At the same time
making sure that I explain what I am doing and the reasoning behind it as I
want them to know that they can develop through the stages and become just as competent
and effective as the level 4 students. By doing this I will create a “win win”
situation by increasing my level 4 students ability and strengthening their
foundation and bringing the level 1 students up to the next stage as well.
The third and fourth groups of students are at level 3 and 2. The level 3 students have a growing trust, harmony, a willingness to share responsibility, understand and value their differences and use the language of “we” rather than “I”. Where as the level 2 students are probably at the most crucial stage of development called the “dissatisfaction” stage. Some of their characteristics are as follows: confusion and frustration around roles and goals, feeling of incompetence, confusion and low confidence all combined with a low level of trust.
I believe stage 2 can either make or break a team and the level 3 group would be the perfect candidates to assign the task of assisting the level 2 groups past the “wall”. By the level 3 team having recently been in the level 2 stages would be a great opportunity to build and strengthen their selves and build their confidence into the 4th level of development.
As the level 3 students guide and direct the level 2 students through the frustration or working with clients that are afflicted with the disease of addiction, which can be frustrating even for a seasoned instructor at times, I would offer them high support and low direction. Where as the level 2 students will need both high direction and high support as they make the transition into stage 3.
By following the charts and diagrams offered in the book “The One Minute
Manager Builds High Performance Teams” and developing an action plan to assist
students in assisting other students will only decrease my work load and
increase students learning and interaction. In addition to creating
accountable, responsible and reliable students to carry out similar tasks in
the future.