Reflections on Working Collaboratively

I learned quite a bit about myself and working with others during this course. I knew that we would create a professional looking and sounding public service announcement. After all, we are all in a course of study working towards our Masters degrees. I admit though, that when we started, my attitude had a large portion of, "If the others don't come through, I will do what it takes to make sure what we turn in is a professional product."

And then we began to work together.

I'm not sure when, but it wasn't very long before I realized that each one of us had the same goal in mind: to create, produce, and turn in a professional PSA. And each of us, in moving toward that goal was going to give 100%.

Our group experienced interruptions and difficulties as as any group or professional learning community might -- summer vacations planned before beginning our masters programs, the death of a close friend, Bible studies, church, and family obligations, etc. Yet the members of our group maintained a seamless dance toward our goal. Without a word or complaint, when necessary, each member took an extra turn on the floor, keeping the dance flowing ever forward. As each member finished their outside duties, the others opened a space for their re-entry. All the while, the dance continued without a misstep.

It has truly been an awesome, eye-opening experience. Both into group dynamics and into my own misconceptions of group membership.