Influencing

World Langua

ge

Departments

/ Grade Leve

l

ClustersMargare

t Peterson,

California For

eign Language

Project

Multilingual E

d, San Francis

co Unified Sch

ool

District

A department is a small group.

Three or more people who share a common

task, interact face-to-face, and influence one

anotherFujishin, 2001

A department is part of a system.

We are all connected to one another in ways both large and small. To deny this is to turn your back on one of life’s greatest truths.

Karl Menninger

DYADS

1.No interruptions

2.Equal time to speak

3.Double confidentiality

4.No negative comments about colleagues

Dimensions o

f a group

Group Dimensions

Task Dimension Social Dimension

Stages of group development

Performing

allowing gro

ups to progr

ess

through the

stages of de

velopment

is the

most importa

nt

characterist

ic

ORGANIZATIONAL TRUST

For every thousand people hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one striking at the roots.

Henry David Thoreau

ORGANIZATIONAL TRUST Low trust creates:• Hidden agendas

• Politics

• Interpersonal conflicts

• Interdepartmental rivalries

• Win-lose thinking

• Defensive & protective communication

Low trust slows everything – every decision, every communication, every relationship.

ORGANIZATIONAL TRUST

The ability to establish, grow, extend, and restore trust truly is the key leadership competency of the new global economy.

Myths about Conflict1.Avoid conflict at

all costs

2.Conflict is someone else’s fault

3.All conflict can be resolved

Reality – conflict is necessary

Don’t blame – explore instead

Agree to disagree

Advantages of Conflict

Expanded awarenessImproved participation

Increased productivity

Greater cohesiveness

Developed maturity

Consensus Building

Beliefs / Issues

Put it on the tableShare opinionsListen activelyFind the other’s strengthsLook for common groundTake a break / continue

Consensus Building

Interpersonal

Self check in3rd person checkDecide what you wantCheck in with that personState your boundary using an “I statement”

What did you

just

hear that re

sonated

with you?

Review of the key elements affecting Department Dynamics• We work better when we work together

• Different people have different styles of working

• Groups naturally develop in stages

Review of the key elements affecting Department Dynamics• Trust is the essential ingredient to progress in stages

• Conflict results in growth

• Consensus allows us to build relationships and trust

Scenarios: How do you deal with these situations?You use the target language consistently in your class. Your colleague does not. Consequently, your students have unequal preparation for the next level.

They are considering adding a new language in your school. A colleague is very afraid that she/he will lose students to the new courses.

Counselors place students in inappropriate levels and remove them from your classes for no apparent reason.

What are group norms?

Choose one of the following:

• Draw a picture of a dysfunctional group.

• Write a haiku about how a perfect team interacts

• Write 10 adjectives that describe a “nightmare meeting”

• Choose a short song and re-write the lyrics to tell about a strong, cohesive team of teachers--your department?

Why do we ne

ed Group

Norms?

Group Norms

Read through the following list containing examples of group norms.

In pairs, edit the list as you see fit. Be prepared to share out your edits.

1. We will respect each other’s ideas. 2. We will be critical of ideas and not

people.3. We will share the blame if group

decisions go wrong or if plans are ineffective.

4. We will share the recognition and rewards if group decisions are right or plans work well.

5. We will encourage each other to take part in planning and decision making.

6. We will offer support and assistance to each other.

7. We will listen to each other. 8. We will be willing to discuss our

feelings openly and honestly.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead