Page 272 - Keys To Community College Success

Know how to collaborate
Collaboration means working effectively with others to achieve a common goal. It is
built on trust, which can only be achieved through the following:
■ Honesty. Team members tell one another the truth, not just what each wants to
hear, so they can work together to solve problems and overcome obstacles.
■ Openness. Team members risk saying what is on their minds and share informa-
tion because they understand the reward of productivity depends on it.
■ Consistency. Each team member works and interacts in a consistent manner, and
team members consistently do what they say they will do.
■ Respect. Team members see one another as vital parts of the team and speak, listen,
and behave respectfully toward one another.
Know how to lead
You may be called upon to lead your team, as well as participate in it. Being a leader is
a risk, but the reward for effective leadership is getting things done. Here are some tips
for being an effective leader:
■ Communicate clearly so your team understands what you are trying to accomplish
and why, and how they fit into your vision.
■ Set goals for yourself and your team so everyone knows what to do and when.
■ Be clear on the skills and talents you have and those that others have so you know
how to best contribute and how to delegate the right tasks to others.
■ Manage your own time and help others stay on track so your team completes tasks
on time.
■ Follow through—finish what you start.

Effective team meetings
To ensure you accomplish your goals during a meeting, follow good meeting etiquette:
■ Show up on time. If you cannot avoid being late, call, text, or email to let people
know. Then apologize briefly when you arrive.
■ Be prepared. Make sure you have all necessary materials. Do a “tech check”
ahead of time to make sure your equipment is working (computer, software, and
video projector).
■ Use an agenda and take notes. Communicate the goal of the meeting, the items
that will be covered, and how long it will last. Then stick to that agenda and have
someone take notes.
■ Listen and don’t interrupt. Listen to what the person is saying instead of planning
your response or interrupting. When it’s your turn, you will appreciate not being
interrupted.
■ Practice civility. No matter how angry or frustrated you feel, do not get overly
emotional. Also, if you have an issue with someone, talk to him or her privately
after the meeting.
■ Avoid distractions. If you text or take phone calls during a meeting, you will seem
rude and may miss important information. Give your full attention to the meeting
and your teammates.
■ Meet virtually. If you encounter scheduling conflicts, keep in mind that you can use
virtual meeting technology to communicate when your group cannot gather in person.

Make an Effective Presentation
9 Some courses require individual students or teams of students to give a presentation at
CHAPTER 234 some point in the term. Many people dread this event, but if you think of a presenta-

tion as a friendly conversation with a group of people, it may be less stressful. Building