I speak U listen, U speak I listen

Overall our communication is fairly well. I don't see any problems with it. Even though some of the teammates don't respond as quickly as others do, but we can still count on them. Its mostly about trust, even if I sent an email out, and that person doesn't get to read it or does, but I get no response back, I just trust them that it'll come through, and if not, we in trouble. But as our group go in a whole, we don't really have any flaws. Sure I hardly know about what my teammates like or don't like, but that's not the matter here. What matters is working as a team and communicating well. We don't have time to chit chat, because everyone wants to get this done so, that's what I like. Less time playing more time work. I do say this group was my best group out of all the group projects I had to do in college. Maybe its the effect of the organization behavior classes that cause all the students to act as a team, unlike other group projects I have in the past, no communication what so ever. So I do give some credits to the class that's why our group is far and communicating well overall.

communication skills

I think I have done a really great job communicating to my team. I frequently email the team members about updated information, team meetings, and discuss certain ideas. Communication was very important in the creation of our project because we had to figure out what we wanted to do and have everyone agree on it. As a leader, I had to make sure everyone was on task and fulfilling their roles. This required an immense amount of communication.

In the middle of the process of the project, I later found out that communicating over emails were a little time consuming and not taking into account real time. Sometimes, one of the team members would not respond fast enough or in time to carry the project forward . Therefore, I decided to collect everyone's phone numbers and use the method of texting. This was a very effective way to communicate when we were trying to set up meeting time. Everyone could respond in real time and faster. Also, simple yes or no questions to team members were easier to do this way.

Physically communicating was pretty successful for our team. Likewise, our team communication such as expressing our views and opinions or concerns, was the same. Everyone was open and did not feel pressure to withhold any concerns or ideas for the project. For example, when someone voiced their idea or concern, they wait until the other person is finished explaining their view. Everyone is respectful and courteous of each other. We have not run into conflicts or problems with each other so far.

Motivation in a Postive Way

As the leader of the group I feel it is extremely important to motivate the team. So far I have been complimenting the team when ever I get a chance. I try to consistently acknowledge what they have been contributing to the project. Simple things such as showing up to scheduled meetings or expressing an idea are important to take into account. Little gestures such as these can help bring the team up as a whole and encourage participation. When you are doing so much all the time and don't really notice the differences, it is a good feeling to hear from someone else that you are doing good. It helps bring a positive confirmation on your part.

Motivation

Well, most of the motivation I get is from the group itself. Without them I will probably not doing the stuff I have done. Its my team mates that keep their end of the deal, that's what motivates me to finish my share. That is also why our group has gotten so far ahead of schedule. And I would honestly say that helping clean-up or giving out awareness on e-waste also motivates me. Its just the grade or project that I have to do, I actually find e-waste quite amusing. An its also for a good deed.

Perceptions and Decision Making

Perceptions and decision making were two important aspects of our group communication towards a common goal. Throughout the course of our group project, decision making has played a key role. Our first decision making task was to simply chose a project and with group communication and decision making, we were able to do so. Throughout the course of our group work, I developed perceptions about the project. These perceptions helped me to formulate ideas to better improve on our project and better contribute with the group.

Perception and Decision Making

When we first started this project, I was really unsure about e-waste and I felt like it really was a big deal. Now after working on this, and actually volunteering at the e-waste event I feel like my perception on e-waste has changed. At the event I didn't imagine how much stuff and junk people we throwing out. This is only the people who bothered to show up and this is only the greater Milwaukee area. Now I can imagine this on a world wide scale and see how harmful and how much space e-waste can take up in landfills. This is my greatest outlook on the project so far.

Perception and Decision Making

At first my perception about e-waste was nothing, but after doing some research and seeing how important recycling e-waste is, my perception is change about e-waste and I care more about it. Also, my teammate play a big role on changing my perception on e-waste if it wasn't for them to assign task and jobs, I would just go on doing the project without caring, and the actual volunteer that our team did was had the most impact on my perception on e-waste. About the decision making for our group, I believe that we carry everything out in order and had barely had any mistake. Which makes our project moves faster and smoother. What we have left to do now is mainly the editing of our video. I predict that later in the few weeks to come, we can carry out task and jobs to finish off the project in time due.

Perceptions and Decisions

So far my perceptions have been consist meaning what I perceived about my group and the project did not deviate much from what was actual. Taking on this project idea the team had, I knew it was going to be a challenge. It has been challenging with scheduling meetings with everyone and assigning appropriate tasks but we our constant communication and team work we have made it possible. Looking at the project as a challenge brought a positive motivation and hard work that will bring a sense of accomplishment.

The way our team have been making decisions were based on votes most of the time. I would ask a question or bring up certain ideas for the team to vote upon on and express what they think. So far, it has worked but the only thing that may be a drawback is that it does take time to make the decision using this method. There are times when a decision was made without the consent of a team member but those were minor ones that was due to limited time. In the good light though, our team as a whole has made good and quick decisions with the interests of everyone with this project which is why we are always on schedule and is now in our video editing mode.

Perceptions and Decision Making

My perception of this project has been positive because I feel that this is a very important topic. I feel that it is important to raise awareness of electronic waste and how it affects us negatively both now and in the future. I didn't really know much about e-waste before this project, but now I perceive it as something important in my life. Perception helped my group experience in a positive way by showing me that it is important to the rest of my group, which in turn motivated me more. My decision-making has also had a positive impact on this project because using rational decision-making has allowed our group to move quickly through the steps required in this project. We optimized our time by having specific jobs for each group member every week. We also used decision-making to decide how we proceeded through the production and content of our video.

Extroverted and Conscientious

My dominant personality traits are extroverted, agreeableness, emotionally stable and conscientious. I think that these traits have made a positive impact on your project and group. For example, my extroverted side pushes for a more outgoing project activity such as promoting and spreading awareness of e-waste to the campus; not just people I know. I went out and interviewed the volunteer coordinator for our event which required me to communicate in person and use my verbal and eye contact skills. As a leader, I have to manage our team's schedule and make sure we are on the same page which is why my willingness to agree and stable emotions help bring the group to a common ground and direction. Being calm and open to my team mate's ideas will broaden our project and sustain trust within our group. My conscientious side is my assertive side. This helps play a huge role in being a team player and leader. I helped keep everyone to be on task with consistent communication and I initiate the additional steps we need to take to move forward. Overall, it our team has achieved most of our goals we have set and remained ahead of our deadlines because of the similar yet minor different personalities we all have.

My Personality

My personality consist of agreeableness. I am very agreeable towards what the group decides to do. When our team assigns task for each member or gives order such as meeting times or a certain deadline for each task, I don't complain and just go with it. I find it much easier to communicate with my team members when you don't have to say anything, to me allows less confusion, because in our group, there are members who acts as the leaders. I rather just agree with them, so it wont delay the project or goals. Agreeableness to me means simple and plain. I'm open to new ideas, and I wont reject them, if the group decides to do it, but if it was just me i would decline it. I rather not struggle in projects or task that seems too impossible to do, but if the groups decides to do them, i would go with it. This way everyone is on good terms and doesn't slow down the project or goals of our team. More importantly, if our groups wants to do something i will agree on it, but if just one person decides to, I won't because then its not teamwork.

Personality Traits

I think that my personality traits have influenced this project in a positive way because I am an extrovert. This trait allows me to communicate freely with my group and contribute my ideas. I also learned on my assessment that people see me as trustworthy. This is beneficial during this project because my group can trust me. If I say that I will post a blog entry or do research, my group knows that I will complete the task. I also found that I scored very high in compromising which is obviously beneficial in this project because I can help resolve problems within the group.

Attitudes

When thinking about attitudes and this "change the world project" I feel that it is very important to have a positive attitude. Not only should you have a positive attitude in any group projects, but especially when you and your group are attempting to change the world to a certain extent. In order for a group to function well with each other everyone must be positive and know their role in the group. In our groups case I feel that everyone helped contribute and had very positive attitudes towards this project. At first we could not select an idea and we were not all on the same page, however everyone stayed positive and we can to a solution. Since deciding on a topic our group has had nothing but positive attitudes and I believe that this is the reason we were able to work so efficiently with each other to get a great start on this project.

Positive Attitude

It's important to have a positive attitude when working with a lot of people. You can reach goals more efficiently and really test the potential of success within the group. Our team has a positive mindset and focuses on the outcome of the project. With this, we will be able to do well. Our project emphasizes on a global issue, electronic waste.

We believe that e-waste is harmful to the environment. In some way it will potentionally and universally affect our Earth's health and ours. With that said, we feel disoriented and unpleased with the negative outcomes of e-waste. We intend to help educate and spread awareness of e-waste to our fellow students at UWM, friends and family so that we can all make a difference; not just our group. E-waste is a new issue that many people aren't aware of because they don't hear about it and they don't see or deal with it directly such as air pollution or trash where they can see it. Therefore, it's important that The Green Team take the iniative to address this global concern and make it known to people. With a positive attitude and a passive/aggressive approach we can gain momentum and join in the fight against e-waste.

Attitudes

My attitude toward this project is that I like it. There are underlying reasons that I like it, and those include the fact that I am interested in protecting the environment and keeping it clean. The cognitive component of my attitude is that we are polluting the earth with electronic and other types of waste. This was positive for me because it fit with the project idea. The affective component of this attitude is that I want (and am motivated) to do something to help reduce the amount of e-waste. The positive aspect of my motivation is just that, my motivation to participate in group meetings, discussions, and tasks. The behavioral component of my attitude is explained by my participation in the group, spreading awareness of e-waste, and my active searching for e-waste in my home and the home of my family. The positive aspect of my behavioral component is that we will have more e-waste to bring to the cleanup day our group is attending.

My attitude has had a positive impact in our group because I am very motivated to do something proactive to reduce this problem. I think it is important that we follow through with this idea because e-waste is detrimental to the environment and to the health of future generations.

Group Attitudes

At first, I had a negative impact on our group because we were deciding on which project to do. I figure my teammates felt the same. But after we pick on one project which is e-waste, I can say that my attitudes towards the group and this project have change. I feel like things are going smoothly, hopefully we can maintain a positive attitude towards this project. Since the group have such good communications with each other the project doesn't bothers me much as before and I feel happier about doing it. With other classes and such, hopefully we don't change our attitudes on this project halfway through.

Updates

What is E- Waste?

E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life." Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic products. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled.

E-Waste in Milwaukee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBGQ40Nh9qE

Places where e-waste can be thrown out, beside UWM’s location.

City of Cudahy Recycling curbside pickup. 414/769-2225
City of Franklin Recycling curbside pickup. 414/425-7500
City of Glendale Recycling curbside pickup. 414/228-1745
City of Milwaukee Recycling curbside pickup. 414/286-8282
City of Saint Francis Recycling curbside pickup. 414/768-8075
City of South Milwaukee Recycling curbside pickup. 414/768-8075
City of West Allis Recycling curbside pickup. 414/256-8290
Village of Bayside Recycling curbside pickup. 414/351-8811
Village of Fox Point Recycling curbside pickup. 414/351-8900
Village of Greendale Recycling curbside pickup only. 414/679-0860
Village of Hales Corners Recycling curbside pickup. 414/367-6040
Village of River Hills Recycling curbside pickup. 414/352-8213
Village of Shorewood Recycling curbside pickup. 414/847-2650
Village of West Milwaukee Recycling curbside pickup. 414/645-6238
Village of Whitefish Bay Recycling curbside pickup. 414/962-6690

thanks to Earth Healing Initiative for the video

The First Meeting

Today the whole team made an effort to meet up and discuss some issues on our project. We finalized the big first steps and distributed specific tasks to each person. My job this week is to confirm our team's involvement with the organization, Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful. I will be contacting the volunteer coordinator to discuss with her in depth about the event and certain ideas our team have come up with.

This week's tasks

This week I will be composing, printing, and posting fliers about where students can leave their old cell phones to prevent e-waste from entering landfills. Haroon and I will also be composing a survey about e-waste to distribute to students on campus.

Team Green

This is the blog for Team Green. Post here with group updates and whatnot.