Post on 05-Jan-2016
Influencing
World Langua
ge
Departments
/ Grade Leve
l
ClustersMargare
t Peterson,
California For
eign Language
Project
Multilingual E
d, San Francis
co Unified Sch
ool
District
A department is a small group.
Three or more people who share a common
task, interact face-to-face, and influence one
anotherFujishin, 2001
A department is part of a system.
We are all connected to one another in ways both large and small. To deny this is to turn your back on one of life’s greatest truths.
Karl Menninger
DYADS
1.No interruptions
2.Equal time to speak
3.Double confidentiality
4.No negative comments about colleagues
Dimensions o
f a group
Group Dimensions
Task Dimension Social Dimension
Stages of group development
Performing
allowing gro
ups to progr
ess
through the
stages of de
velopment
is the
most importa
nt
characterist
ic
ORGANIZATIONAL TRUST
For every thousand people hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one striking at the roots.
Henry David Thoreau
ORGANIZATIONAL TRUST Low trust creates:• Hidden agendas
• Politics
• Interpersonal conflicts
• Interdepartmental rivalries
• Win-lose thinking
• Defensive & protective communication
Low trust slows everything – every decision, every communication, every relationship.
ORGANIZATIONAL TRUST
The ability to establish, grow, extend, and restore trust truly is the key leadership competency of the new global economy.
Myths about Conflict1.Avoid conflict at
all costs
2.Conflict is someone else’s fault
3.All conflict can be resolved
Reality – conflict is necessary
Don’t blame – explore instead
Agree to disagree
Advantages of Conflict
Expanded awarenessImproved participation
Increased productivity
Greater cohesiveness
Developed maturity
Consensus Building
Beliefs / Issues
Put it on the tableShare opinionsListen activelyFind the other’s strengthsLook for common groundTake a break / continue
Consensus Building
Interpersonal
Self check in3rd person checkDecide what you wantCheck in with that personState your boundary using an “I statement”
What did you
just
hear that re
sonated
with you?
Review of the key elements affecting Department Dynamics• We work better when we work together
• Different people have different styles of working
• Groups naturally develop in stages
Review of the key elements affecting Department Dynamics• Trust is the essential ingredient to progress in stages
• Conflict results in growth
• Consensus allows us to build relationships and trust
Scenarios: How do you deal with these situations?You use the target language consistently in your class. Your colleague does not. Consequently, your students have unequal preparation for the next level.
They are considering adding a new language in your school. A colleague is very afraid that she/he will lose students to the new courses.
Counselors place students in inappropriate levels and remove them from your classes for no apparent reason.
What are group norms?
Choose one of the following:
• Draw a picture of a dysfunctional group.
• Write a haiku about how a perfect team interacts
• Write 10 adjectives that describe a “nightmare meeting”
• Choose a short song and re-write the lyrics to tell about a strong, cohesive team of teachers--your department?
Why do we ne
ed Group
Norms?
Group Norms
Read through the following list containing examples of group norms.
In pairs, edit the list as you see fit. Be prepared to share out your edits.
1. We will respect each other’s ideas. 2. We will be critical of ideas and not
people.3. We will share the blame if group
decisions go wrong or if plans are ineffective.
4. We will share the recognition and rewards if group decisions are right or plans work well.
5. We will encourage each other to take part in planning and decision making.
6. We will offer support and assistance to each other.
7. We will listen to each other. 8. We will be willing to discuss our
feelings openly and honestly.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead