I never really thought the nature of working with others could be identified with "win-win" results. Generally, I try to avoid argumentative conversations, especially when the other person has such a strong opinion that they won't bother to hear what others who disagree have to say. I wouldn't think this as a "lose-win" scenario either, it just isn't worth my time and effort to give my own opinion if they aren't going to try to understand my perspective in return. However, when it comes to subjects that need a decision, that need debate, then I'm all for it. Conversations could get tough, but if it was easy, we wouldn't be trying to resolve a problem or trying to find a solution in the first place.
"Win-win" to me is also the realization that ideas don't have limitations, except for the ones you keep to yourself. We need to be open enough to lead others and open enough to be led. Teachers are not the smartest or the best in everything, there are restraints from lack of experiences and practices. To be better, to have all of us win, we must accept help from our team mates. We see this in sports all the time. The best player is only as good as the team, and the player's influence on the team is just as affective. Therefore, what I would like to do, is find ways to be less defensive to negative comments that are geared directly towards me. Sometimes, even adults say the wrong thing but have good intentions, we're all part of the same team. Yet, familiar it is to think, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," the saying has long been proved wrong and so it is still a battle when things you don't want to hear are said.
Hence, building on patience is one way to be stronger' and by building on confidence we won't always have to prove ourselves. We don't always have to make a statement. We don't need to always have the great ideas. We just need to contribute what we can and not expect to win or lose. This also applies with our interactions with students. We don't have to be right all the time. We don't have to be in control; which, is emphasized in this article I found by Dr. Spencer Kagan called, "What is Win-Win Discipline." With not much collegial collaboration going for a TOC, and instead meeting new students on a daily basis, I need to really slow down, take the time to talk with the students and build positive relationships despite how temporary it may be.
Reference:
Kagan, Spencer. (2002). What is Win-Win Discipline. Wagon Online Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.kaganonline.com/free_articles/dr_spencer_kagan/ASK15.php
"Win-win" to me is also the realization that ideas don't have limitations, except for the ones you keep to yourself. We need to be open enough to lead others and open enough to be led. Teachers are not the smartest or the best in everything, there are restraints from lack of experiences and practices. To be better, to have all of us win, we must accept help from our team mates. We see this in sports all the time. The best player is only as good as the team, and the player's influence on the team is just as affective. Therefore, what I would like to do, is find ways to be less defensive to negative comments that are geared directly towards me. Sometimes, even adults say the wrong thing but have good intentions, we're all part of the same team. Yet, familiar it is to think, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," the saying has long been proved wrong and so it is still a battle when things you don't want to hear are said.
Hence, building on patience is one way to be stronger' and by building on confidence we won't always have to prove ourselves. We don't always have to make a statement. We don't need to always have the great ideas. We just need to contribute what we can and not expect to win or lose. This also applies with our interactions with students. We don't have to be right all the time. We don't have to be in control; which, is emphasized in this article I found by Dr. Spencer Kagan called, "What is Win-Win Discipline." With not much collegial collaboration going for a TOC, and instead meeting new students on a daily basis, I need to really slow down, take the time to talk with the students and build positive relationships despite how temporary it may be.
Reference:
Kagan, Spencer. (2002). What is Win-Win Discipline. Wagon Online Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.kaganonline.com/free_articles/dr_spencer_kagan/ASK15.php