In today’s lecture(week 6) we were given insight into the importance of collaboration in both media and the rest of the workforce. Employers are saying teamwork is one of the major things they are looking for in graduates. They need to be innovative, good with communication and technology, but above all else good with collaboration.

There are some good and some bad Experiences which may occur during collaboration/working as a group, which I have listed below

Good:

  • Friendly and helpful people
  • Self-assuring
  • Hard working
  • Inspirational
  • Share ideas/solve problems
  • Rigour
  • Maintains focus/drive- it makes you more responsible
  • Can get projects done quicker
  • Can do bigger projects

Bad:

  • Mean, unassuring
  • Unhelpful
  • The project dies because no one ‘owns’ it
  • You don’t feel comfortable about expressing your opinion
  • You can’t reach a compromise

Other questions were asked and answered such as:

What is collaboration good for?

  • Develops leadership
  • Gain experience in negotiation
  • Learn to resolve conflict
  • Share and deepen your knowledge in the discipline area
  • HAVE FUN

What are some characteristics of positive collaborations?

  • Clear objectives
  • Good communication
  • Consistency
  • Resect
  • Support
  • Responsibility
  • Equitable

To have good collaboration you need to establish an environment of trust, autonomy and clarity. You need to identify and develop an identity and a sense of unity within your group. I found this lecture very comforting in that I enjoy working with others and look forward to learning things from others as well as helping others to reach our goals.