Monday, October 09, 2006

0007: Things I want to remember

One element we try to develop with researchers is an ability to look at a situation from a range of perspectives. A good manager for example can understand how different employees will view change and can therefore factor that into his / her approach. As employees we tend to see things only from our own point of view. Try to put a situation in the centre of a circle and then stand in different positions around the circle to see it from a different perspective. A = my take on it, B = My bosses take on it, C = the customer / pupils view on it, D = the supplier / parents view on it.

What we are trying to achieve in this module is for you to consider your role, strengths and weaknesses as you see it but also from other perspectives too. As an identical twin I am used to looking at my sister and seeing myself...very disconcerting at first because you really see all the negatives as well as the positives! Certain things may well shock you at first..but seeing yourself through someone else's eyes can bring huge strength, just don't take anything personally. See it as an opportunity to move forward because you understand yourself far better than you thought you did.

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When looking at a day in your working life you are probably not doing anything you don't normally do.

"When you look back on any given day you don’t just think about what happened you think about its impact, about how you felt. You distill the new experience through past experience!

– you wonder why X said Y and if it was hurtful, informative, a smoke screen etc.? You wonder if you should have done something differently and why. You wonder if what you did/said was effective and did X really understand what you were trying to say/do? You might even consider what you learned from a particular incident.

Thus we want you to not only record but also to reflect - seeking learning."

REFLECTION [in capitals for emphasis] plays an important part in this degree. You may be busy pulling together aspects of a busy day....but STOP...THINK....REFLECT...on those roles and responsibilities.

What impacts on you...who influences you...who do you influence...why is that system used?

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