Settle for Nothing Less Than Group Success!

Since my first day as an actual accepted Public Relations major all I have heard is how IMPOSSIBLE the Adpr950 Public Relations Campaigns course would be. Well, I am here as living proof to show you that I made it through alive...barely, but alive to say the least.

I admit there were times I really didn't think I would actually get to this point, but with the help and support of an awesome campaigns team, and Dr. Russell as our amazing and understanding professor we did it.

It truly was a team effort, and that is why I think most people find the course to be so challenging. Here are a few of my own suggestions for learning to work successfully in any group setting:

1. Be a FRIEND! Yes I know we can't get along with everyone, but it makes it so much easier to be open and willing to get to know people instead of shutting people out from the beginning. Just because you're completing a job or assignment doesn't mean you have to be serious business 24/7. The balance is knowing when to have fun, and when to act straight.
2. Step Up To The Challenge and LEAD! Being a leader is always rewarding in itself, but most people shy away because of either insecurity or laziness. As pr professionals it is our JOB to take the lead and assume our role as information and technological innovators and communicators to the world!
3. FLEXIBILITY is key. It is important to acknowledge the purpose of group work, which is finding ways to strategically balance the strengths and weaknesses of every member in order to achieve ultimate success with the task at hand. Everyone excels in different areas, but sometimes our abilities overlap, which can sometimes cause a conflict of interests. A way to avoid the conflict and get set on the task is to always be flexible and willing to challenge yourself to take on areas of the project which you may not readily pick on your own terms but are assigned to by default of group. Remember, a willingness to take on anything at anytime including staying extra hours to get it just right, or picking up the slack for a group member during a hard time shows your extra dedication to not only the assignment, but also the group dynamic. Having the ability to shift yourself into many different roles gives the impression that you are a confident hard-working dedicated professional who is willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
4. Be Respectable, Reliable and Realistic. Respectable group members afford every other member the amount of respect that they deserve as both individuals and as a part of the team. Everyone brings something different to the table, and it is our duty as professionals and good-natured people to take all ideas, thoughts and views into consideration when making decisions affecting the whole group. Also, it's a pretty good bet that if you conduct yourself in a respectable and amicable manner others will do the same. Reliability is also vital for achieving group success. Do your part and don't be late. I know first hand, because I've been there, that is incredibly hard to deal with missing group members. Everyone must be consistently present and do their part. Although, it is very important to remember to be Realistic when dealing with groups. No one is perfect and we shouldn't expect them to be. Things come up and people become ill, but that is why we have the group dynamic to temporarily help fill in the missing gaps. Along the same lines you should be realistic when assigning and agreeing to the amount and content of the workload you take on within the group. Group members should be honest with each other and only take on what they can handle at the time, otherwise the work as whole ends up suffering.

And last but not least....

5. Settle for nothing less than SUCCESS! Keep the lines of communication between group members wide-open from the start so that the group can clearly establish project and personal goals and objectives, as well as the means for achieving ultimate success. Encouraging others and praising them for jobs well-done keeps the positive energy flowing, which usually produces the best end result.

Sometimes working with others in group assignments can be quite frustrating depending on the degree of dedication of the other members; but I believe that if we strive for success and guide ourselves with the principles I listed above, then no matter what we know we have done our individual duty and can only encourage the others to take notice and do the same!