So, what is the secret answer to making groups not only want to work but also to enjoy work and collaboration? Though I do not believe there is one specific answer for this, Bennis touches upon a few anecdotes that I believe make groups work better. He states, "great groups work as is possessed. But they also manage to have fun." How wonderful would it be if all teachers in a building worked as if possessed? How many teachers do you know that truly work their hardest? Moreover, how many teachers do you know that collaborate with one another. If great groups manage to have fun while completing a task, perhaps those members would be more likely to work hard.
Bennis also states that "...Some of this playfulness reflects the reality that problem solving is pleasruable. People engaged in successful collaborations are getting an immediate payoff in increased endorphin production....They feel good.....People wanted to work at the Skunk Works not because it was plush or prestigious, but because they loved the work. People in Great Groups would do what they do even if they didn't get paid for it."
Is collaboration encouraged in your school environment? If your answer is no, we aren't pushed to collaborate, perhaps we need to take initiative and create our own groups. Perhaps our own group creation will get us more excited about work. Maybe collaboration with a member from another department can energize you to want to work harder. In the end, perhaps the collaboration can make you a happier individual, not just at work but all around.
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I believe that the best way to create a great group with teachers is finding out who are the teacher leaders. Once you have them established create staff development days that will motivate the teachers. If teachers go into a staff development day knowing that they will get something out of a session, they will be motivated to incorporate what they have learned into their curriculum. Once that occurs, more and more teachers will buy into what is going on in the classroom. Constant motivation and new ideas motivates the teacher to perform to the best of their ability.
Hey Dayna...Beautiful blog...where I work at UCP, we have what is called the FISH philosophy..it is made up of 4 principles that come from a fish market in Seattle Washington. They implemeted this philosophy to get ppl to like where they work and have a good time being there...which most of us do. You can read more about it at http://www.charthouse.com
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