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(size:2)[What do I see...]
//Click on anything red to (text-colour:red)[[find out more...|Week 1]]//
(align:"==>")[Mary Scott
Student Code 2307365]
(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:navy)[Collaboration]]]
In my previous profession, collaboration was essential personal behaviour. My collaborative sharing of resources and knowledge, enhanced opportunities and outcomes for children, and was immensely rewarding.
As an emerging writer my writing cannot happen in isolation. The wide-ranging creative industry offers chances to work with others; take on board their opinions and share ideas; making creative collaboration potentially groundbreaking.
Multidiscipline creative collaboration, purely online, is new to me, and accommodating differing schedules could be challenging, however the thought “the wisdom of a smart group is greater than the brainpower of its smartest member” (Tharp 2009) inspires and excites me.
//(text-colour:red)[[my mini manifesto...|Week 1 Manifesto]]//
//(text-colour:red)[[continue my reflective journey...|Week 2]]//
(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:yellow)[Reflection]]]
Reflective practice was a key competency in my past professional life, and I have carried Driscoll’s What? So What? And Now What? model (2007) into my writing career. However, I now see I have been missing asking Why?
The Five Whys Technique reveals that for every effect there are underlying causes (Serrat 2009), and this powerful tool will bring meaning and knowledge to my critical reflections by identifying underlying assumptions, misunderstandings or emotions I may bring to the collaborative process.
My critical reflections must be done regularly and ask often uncomfortable questions, which, if answered honestly, will support my personal growth both as a writer and collaborator.
//(text-colour:red)[[my mini manifesto...|Week 2 Manifesto]]//
//(text-colour:red)[[continue my reflective journey...|Week 3]]//(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:lime)[Dedication]]]
Although apprehensive with the unfamiliar situation I was eager to discover my group’s creative disciplines. Initially I was disappointed because only one member was in my tutor group, however the benefits of sharing learning gained from different tutors soon became apparent.
Having completed a Myers-Briggs type personality test (16Personalities 2024) I know my Logician personality means I struggle with some soft skills especially emotional intelligence and clear communication of my often-complex thoughts.
Good communication is underpinned with emotional intelligence so understanding my emotions; having confidence I will be heard; being opened-minded to ideas which might sound foreign or threatening; are all essential if I am to collaborate effectively (School of Life 2018).
//(text-colour:red)[[my mini manifesto...|Week 3 Manifesto]]//
//(text-colour:red)[[continue my reflective journey...|Week 4]]//(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:fuchsia)[Listening]]]
My senses, especially sight and hearing, generate many writing ideas. But do I just see or hear what I want to?
Observing gestures and facial expressions more closely, adopting Twidale’s slow thinking approach (2022), and listening to communication silences will help me see/hear what is happening beyond words, and their accompanying signals. Discovering these unspoken meanings will enrich my writing process.
Feeling unheard/unseen, that your ideas are not considered, is demotivating and discourages engagement. However, employing active listening which fully considers all communication, and its underlying emotions, builds positive, trusting relationships (Rogers and Farson 1957), which will hopefully underpin our collaboration.
//(text-colour:red)[[my mini manifesto...|Week 4 Manifesto]]//
//(text-colour:red)[[continue my reflective journey...|Week 5]]//(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:cyan)[Discussion]]]
Minimal/no participation by some members is disappointing and frustrating. I adopted a group shaper role and offered encouragement, while taking care not to appear too forceful (Belbin and Brown 2022).
I thrive on discussion and find chat and whiteboard silence to my overtures disheartening. Discussing this with writing colleagues reminded me it was not personal, and a more empathetic approach might be productive. I sent non-judgemental, personal emails offering support and was delighted to receive some response.
Working relationships should be safe, vital and repairable and I can now appreciate how asking Stanier’s Keystone questions (2023) enables collaborative groups to get-to-know, understand and empathise with each other, and helps establish essential foundations of trust.
//(text-colour:red)[[my mini manifesto...|Week 5 Manifesto]]//
//(text-colour:red)[[continue my reflective journey...|Week 6]]//(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:green)[Generation]]]
Our initial, separate and individual, whiteboard posts sparked group discussions. When members were reluctant to abandon their ideas, I adopted a leadership co-ordinator role (Belbin and Brown 2022) ensuring everyone was heard, and all talents were utilised to their fullest creative potential.
Reaching a full consensus often means a watered-down idea; achieving consent is more realistic (Krogerus and Tschappeler 2024); and getting group consent and commitment to develop one, new strong hybrid collaborative idea was a major, exciting milestone.
Straightaway our collaborative whiteboard interactions then increased. Knowing our strengths and that we could work through conflict gave us confidence; we started to exchange information, trust each other, and build collaborative relationships.
//(text-colour:red)[[my mini manifesto...|Week 6 Manifesto]]//
//(text-colour:red)[[continue my reflective journey...|Week 7]]//
(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:grey)[Digestion]]]
Our cameras-off virtual meetings lacked the visual cues intrinsic to fully understand all meanings behind our communications, however the whiteboard now enabled thoughts to be shared, considered and carefully digested. As we focussed on producing quality writing this digital medium provided easily accessible space for contributions from all time-zones.
I began to understand that my creative work is itself not sacred, but my time spent on the project is, because this is what expands my imagination and transforms my practice (Gilbert 2016). I will remember this, especially when working with editors, as it enables me to depersonalise my ideas and accept that they do not always need to be adopted.
//(text-colour:red)[[my mini manifesto...|Week 7 Manifesto]]//
//(text-colour:red)[[continue my reflective journey...|Week 8]]//
(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:navy)[Collation]]]
Collectively we possess the hard skills which our production requires however lack of engagement by some members hinders progress. Unequal levels of participation and decision-making creates unequal relationships, and passive or absent members need addressing before resentment sets in (Hasson 2015).
I employed leadership, organisation and communication soft skills to arrange another meeting; I was empathetic, offered support, and tried to get everyone to contribute something within their ability.
Requesting time-bound specific actions, and being prepared to negotiate and compromise, increased the participation of some members. I learnt that time spent complaining is wasted, it is best to focus on how to get what is needed.
//(text-colour:red)[[my mini manifesto...|Week 8 Manifesto]]//
//(text-colour:red)[[continue my reflective journey...|Week 9]]//(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:yellow)[Building]]]
My preconceptions about collaboration have changed. Unlike my previous working projects where individuals tried to stand out, working collaboratively on creative output is not competative; with our manifesto we’ll all shine together.
I brought existing writing skills, improved listening skills and contributed in other areas including font colour and layout design. After rewatching the Open Practice lectures I can relate to the described feeling of group celebration as our manifesto nears completion.
I now realise I often collaborate with a method and negotiate my practice around my chosen creative medium; for example screen, page, audio, stage or here, Twine.
//(text-colour:red)[[my mini manifesto...|Week 9 Manifesto]]//
//(text-colour:red)[[continue my reflective journey...|Week 10]]//
(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:fuchsia)[Returning]]]
Our manifesto is very different from the one I would have produced alone; it is much stronger because of the different creative visions entwined within; several heads really are better than one.
I have regularly critically reflected on our process, and asking “Why?” prevented me from making assumptions. How I expect others to behave is based on my personal values; remembering that these differ between people will prevent disappointment in future collaborations
I received feedback on my reflections from my writing cohort and provided some group feedback. Helping others and letting others help you forms close and lasting relationships (Krogerus and Tschappeler 2024) and I hope to collaborate further with one group member on a children’s picture book.
//(text-colour:red)[[my mini manifesto...|Week 10 Manifesto]]//
//(text-colour:red)[[continue my reflective journey...|Week 11]]//(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:cyan)[Submission]]]
My creative collaboration learning journey required courage: Courage to critically reflect on my assumptions and skills; courage to commit to collaborative relationships.
Trust is central to successful relationships and having courage to build trust is essential for my future collaborative writing projects: Trust in the systems managing the work; trust in co-collaborators.
Learning what will and will not work has given me strategies for dealing with relationship conflicts, and, through discovering what creative collaboration entails, I understand that project conflicts can spark creativity.
During the process I regret not seeing and celebrating our small wins. When I thought “we can’t do this!”, we were already doing it, albeit in tiny steps, but each step was progress and needed acknowledging.
Strong writing grows from collaborative feedback and my emerging work needs me to collaborate to be successful. Good collaboration revolves around building trusting relationships because we never achieve anything truly alone; we need others to make our dreams possible.
//(text-colour:red)[[my mini manifesto...|Week 11 Manifesto]]//
//(text-colour:red)[[continue my reflective journey...|End]]//
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(size:3)[…a collaborative future]
//I was helped on this journey by (text-colour:red)[[Bibliography]]//Thank you. (text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:grey)[Bibliography]]]
16PERSONALITIES. 2024. ‘Free Personality Test’. 16Personalities [online]. Available at: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test [accessed 6 October 2024].
BELBIN, R. Meredith and Victoria BROWN. 2022. Team Roles at Work. London: Routledge.
DRISCOLL, John. 2007. Practicing Clinical Supervision: A Reflective Approach for Healthcare Professionals. Edinburgh: Elsevier.
GILBERT, Elizabeth. 2016. Big Magic Creative Living Beyond Fear. London: Bloomsbury Paperbacks.
HASSON, Gill. 2015. How to Deal with Difficult People. Chichester: Capstone Publishing Ltd.
KROGERUS, Mikael and Roman TSCHAPPELER. 2024. The Collaboration Book: 41 Ideas for Working Better Together. Profile.
OPEN PRACTICE. ‘Conversation between Katie Evans, Gabriela Matuszyk and Nina Carter’ [lecture]. CLBO210 for BA Creative Writing [accessed 5 December 2024]. Falmouth: Falmouth University.
ROGERS, Carl R. and Richard E. FARSON. 1957. Active listening. Chicago, IL: Industrial Relations Center of the University of Chicago.
SCHOOL OF LIFE. 2018. The Emotionally Intelligent Office: 20 Key Emotional skills for the workplace. London: The School of Life.
SERRAT, Olivier. 2017. ‘The Five Whys Technique’. Knowledge solutions: Tools, methods, and approaches to drive organizational performance. 307-310.
STANIER, Michael Bungay. 2023. How to Work with (Almost) Anyone: Five Questions for Building the Best Possible Relationships. Page Two.
THARP, Twyla. 2009. The Collaborative Habit: Life Lessons for Working Together. Simon & Schuster.
TWIDALE, Sam. 2022. ‘Slow Thinking’. CCCBLAB Cultural Research and Innovation [online]. Available at: https://lab.cccb.org/en/slow-thinking/ [accessed 15 October 2024].
//Would you like to read my reflections again? (text-colour:red)[[yes|Start]] or (text-colour:red)[[no|Thank you]]//1. (text-colour:red)[''T'']he first step is often the hardest
//(text-colour:red)[[return to my reflections|Week 1]]//
1. (text-colour:red)[''T'']he first step is often the hardest
2. Kn(text-colour:red)[''O'']wing why gets to the heart of what is going on
3. Soft skills=success
//(text-colour:red)[[return to my reflections|Week 3]]//1. (text-colour:red)[''T'']he first step is often the hardest
2. Kn(text-colour:red)[''O'']wing why gets to the heart of what is going on
//(text-colour:red)[[return to my reflections|Week 2]]//1. (text-colour:red)[''T'']he first step is often the hardest
2. Kn(text-colour:red)[''O'']wing why gets to the heart of what is going on
3. Soft skills=success
4. (text-colour:red)[''R'']eally listen, listen to everything
5. K(text-colour:red)[''E'']ystone questions
//(text-colour:red)[[return to my reflections|Week 5]]//1. (text-colour:red)[''T'']he first step is often the hardest
2. Kn(text-colour:red)[''O'']wing why gets to the heart of what is going on
3. Soft skills=success
4. (text-colour:red)[''R'']eally listen, listen to everything
//(text-colour:red)[[return to my reflections|Week 4]]//1. (text-colour:red)[''T'']he first step is often the hardest
2. Kn(text-colour:red)[''O'']wing why gets to the heart of what is going on
3. Soft skills=success
4. (text-colour:red)[''R'']eally listen, listen to everything
5. K(text-colour:red)[''E'']ystone questions
6. (text-colour:red)[''M'']eetings matter
7. (text-colour:red)[''E'']very communication has subtext
8. I often learn (text-colour:red)[''M'']ore from the negative
9. (text-colour:red)[''B'']enefits come from collaboration
10. F(text-colour:red)[''E'']edback makes me stronger
//(text-colour:red)[[return to my reflections|Week 10]]//1. (text-colour:red)[''T'']he first step is often the hardest
2. Kn(text-colour:red)[''O'']wing why gets to the heart of what is going on
3. Soft skills=success
4. (text-colour:red)[''R'']eally listen, listen to everything
5. K(text-colour:red)[''E'']ystone questions
6. (text-colour:red)[''M'']eetings matter
7. (text-colour:red)[''E'']very communication has subtext
8. I often learn (text-colour:red)[''M'']ore from the negative
9. (text-colour:red)[''B'']enefits come from collaboration
//(text-colour:red)[[return to my reflections|Week 9]]//1. (text-colour:red)[''T'']he first step is often the hardest
2. Kn(text-colour:red)[''O'']wing why gets to the heart of what is going on
3. Soft skills=success
4. (text-colour:red)[''R'']eally listen, listen to everything
5. K(text-colour:red)[''E'']ystone questions
6. (text-colour:red)[''M'']eetings matter
7. (text-colour:red)[''E'']very communication has subtext
//(text-colour:red)[[return to my reflections|Week 7]]//1. (text-colour:red)[''T'']he first step is often the hardest
2. Kn(text-colour:red)[''O'']wing why gets to the heart of what is going on
3. Soft skills=success
4. (text-colour:red)[''R'']eally listen, listen to everything
5. K(text-colour:red)[''E'']ystone questions
6. (text-colour:red)[''M'']eetings matter
7. (text-colour:red)[''E'']very communication has subtext
8. I often learn (text-colour:red)[''M'']ore from the negative
//(text-colour:red)[[return to my reflections|Week 8]]//1. (text-colour:red)[''T'']he first step is often the hardest
2. Kn(text-colour:red)[''O'']wing why gets to the heart of what is going on
3. Soft skills=success
4. (text-colour:red)[''R'']eally listen, listen to everything
5. K(text-colour:red)[''E'']ystone questions
6. (text-colour:red)[''M'']eetings matter
//(text-colour:red)[[return to my reflections|Week 6]]//(text-style:"expand")[(size:2)[(text-colour:cyan)[My Mini Manifesto]]]
1. (text-colour:red)[''T'']he first step is often the hardest
2. Kn(text-colour:red)[''O'']wing why gets to the heart of what is going on
3. Soft skills=success
4. (text-colour:red)[''R'']eally listen, listen to everything
5. K(text-colour:red)[''E'']ystone questions
6. (text-colour:red)[''M'']eetings matter
7. (text-colour:red)[''E'']very communication has subtext
8. I often learn (text-colour:red)[''M'']ore from the negative
9. (text-colour:red)[''B'']enefits come from collaboration
10. F(text-colour:red)[''E'']edback makes me stronger
11. (text-colour:red)[''R'']elationships need trust
//(text-colour:red)[[return to my reflections|Week 11]]//
↶↷
What do I see...
Click on anything red to find out more...
Mary Scott
Student Code 2307365