As a teacher, I have to be cognizant of the fact that I will come into contact with various people other than students. There will be different administrators, other teachers, support personnel and many parents. Each will have their own personality and their own worldview. To be able to accomodate these different types is a skill that will take practise.(Mamchur, 58) But first, I believe I have to understand my personality to the best of my ability. How does my type influence the way I interact and communicate with others? How is my behaviour affected by the way I perceive the world? By knowing the traits I hold, I can understand on how others may see me.
I believe that colloborating best with others requires patience. Listening carefully to other's thoughts and opinions without interrupting (as I tend to do) will foster mutual understanding, especially if I disagree with the thoughts and opinions being represented or may not understand the point being stated. Learning personalities give their thoughts differently than Feeling ones and I must recognize this. While working on projects I must be patient with those who work at a different pace or wish to complete the project in a different way. Perception personalities will be more flexible with structure than a judging one like myself.
2 comments:
Great questions you pose here!
Good insights. For sure patience and real listening...not just to words, but to nuances of expression in the face, body language....Thanks.
Evening Jag;
this is a very perceptive blog post! It seems you and I are both learning how to interact collaboratively with better awareness of our own personalities (very different as we are!).
I especially like your recognitiong of deep listening. This is key no matter what our personality type and who we are listening to! It's a skill that I too am always trying to improve. I find especially with kids I'm tempted to devote only part of my brain and attention when they are speaking to me. Part of me tries justifying this because there is so much to juggle as a teacher... True though this be, I have realzed lately that it's also an excuse to not value the little speaker as fully as I should.
Thanks again for the reminder!
-Mark
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