This course was mostly project-based, to be more specific it was group-project-based. As I mentioned in the professional communication page, my group needed to identify a need/problem in the LCB and propose a solution for the problem. We started out researching for a problem through surveys and interviews. Then, by analyzing our data we discovered a common theme which lead to our final problem. Once we had our problem we started working on our proposal. We wrote a first and final draft and finished by creating a presentation for our proposal.
 
I say “we” in the group project description above because I would like to acknowledge that it was a group collaboration. However, I will now focus on my collaboration skills of understanding and working with others.
 
I spent eight weeks collaborating with four other individuals and I have identified my strengths and weaknesses in working with others.
 
Strengths- Bring focus, foster brainstorming ideas, respect others ideas, create a shared vision
 
Weaknesses- procure others insight, overthinking small details
 
I identified these strengths and weaknesses through the feedback I received through my teammates. I identified my strengths through comments such as “Cecilia is good at keeping the team focused…” and my weaknesses though comments such as “[improve] in inviting other group members to speak in group meetings.”
 
Based on my emotional intelligence competency I do a good job of managing my emotions to positively influence others. This makes me approachable to my team members and I create strong trust relationships. It also creates a welcoming atmosphere for sharing ideas. My emotional intelligence in understanding others is still a work in progress. I expect team members to come to meetings with a positive attitude and ready to work. However, I need to be more aware that emotions play an essential role in working with people and I cannot expect negative emotions to be left at home.
 
Because I positively influence others through my emotions I am able to bring the best out of team members. This goes back to my strength of fostering brainstorming ideas I mentioned earlier. I create a comfortable environment for generating ideas. However, when frustration is at its finest amongst all team members bringing out the best in everyone can be a challenge.
 
My strengths and weaknesses together with my emotions played a big role when understanding and collaborating with others. My emotions were reflected on my actions which ultimately determined how I worked with others. I learned that I may be able to manage my own emotions and the way I collaborate with others but I cannot manage other’s emotions or their way of collaborating with others.