In today’s work world the norm is to collaborate with others and complete tasks by partnering with peers, teams, committees, or work groups. It’s very rare to work in isolation at work, which is why group work is assigned in college classrooms. One of the most important responsibilities we have in college and in life is to learn how to communicate and work with others.

Non-Verbal Communication

When we think about listening, we think about hearing sounds via the ears. However, in order to pick up key points for effective communication and note-taking, it takes more than just hearing. In this case, it takes a “critical ear” to absorb key points. By noticing not only the words spoken, but also the tones, volume and even the speaker’s body language, we can improve our communication skills and take better notes. Being an active listener increases a note-taker’s chances of getting all of the information needed.

Common Non-Verbal Communication

List as many non-verbal, emotional cues as you can by studying the faces in the pictures below.

“Universal Emotions” by Icerko Lýdia is licensed under CC BY 3.0

Active Listening

In addition to noting non-verbal cues, active listening is another key to learning effectively and communicating with professors and fellow students. There are concrete steps we can take to actively listen in order to get the most out of lectures. Active listening is also useful when working with a partner or group. Here are some important ways we can listen more actively:

1. Pay attention: Look at the speaker and clear your mind of your thoughts to focus on what the speaker is saying. Ignore distractions and note the speaker’s body language in addition to what is being said.
2. Show you are listening: Use your body language by nodding your head, smiling, and creating an open posture to let the speaker know you are listening.
3. Provide feedback: Ask questions to clarify what the speaker is saying. Repeat what they say back to them in your own words so you both know you understood. From time to time, summarize what they’re saying.
4. Label your perception of the speaker’s emotions: Instead of telling people how they are feeling, use phrases like “You sound like you’re” or I hear” to process with them how they sound to you.
5. Defer judgment: Avoid interrupting the speaker to offer your side or position and wait until they have finished making a point to ask questions.
6. Use “I” Messages: Using “I” messages lets the speaker know how they are making you feel. “I” messages are helpful in intense conversation because they are not threatening and won’t put the speaker on the defensive.
7. React appropriately: Be honest in your response and sharing your opinion, while treating the speaker the way you would want to be treated.
8. Pause Purposefully: Use silence for time to think or right before or after an important point.

Interdependence

When we explore relationships between people and groups of people, interdependence may well be one of the most meaningful words because it speaks to the importance of connecting with others and maintaining viable relationships. If we think about it, no one makes it through life alone.

Interdependence is defined as the mutual reliance, or mutual dependence, between two or more people or groups. “In an interdependent relationship, participants may be emotionally, economically, ecologically, and/or morally reliant on and responsible to each other.”^[1]

An interdependent relationship is different from dependent and codependent relationships, though. In dependent relationships, some members are dependent while some are not (dependent people believe that they may not be able to achieve goals on their own). In codependent relationships, there is a sense that one must help others achieve their goals before pursuing one’s own. Contrast these relationships with interdependent relationships, in which support and knowledge are shared for the enrichment of all.

Interdependence in College

Interdependence is valuable in college because it contributes to your success as a student. When you feel comfortable with interdependence, for example, you may be more likely to ask a friend to help you with a class project. You may also be more likely to offer that same help to someone else. You may be more inclined to visit a faculty member during office hours, attend the tutoring center for help with a difficult subject, or visit the career or counseling center.

Overall, when you have a sense of interdependence, you cultivate support networks for yourself, and you help others, too. Interdependence is a win-win relationship. The following table illustrates how interdependence can play a role in successful college life:

Most college students will be required to work in groups in various classes, and many workplace tasks are accomplished through committee work. Although not without challenges, collaborating with others is a necessary life skill that has many benefits.

Studying with fellow classmates and/or working with them on projects and class assignments can significantly enhance deep learning. Group work can help teams chunk bigger tasks into more manageable parts and steps. It can also help participants manage their time better. In addition, group work often involves discussion and collaboration, which can improve everyone’s understanding of the material. Another benefit is the opportunity for feedback on ideas and performance. Working in groups always helps members develop stronger communication skills, both for speaking and for listening.

Getting the most out of working in a group, though, requires some special skills. The following video, Group Work, from the University of British Columbia, offers some pointers.

Below is a summary of the key points in the video:

• Know your strengths and learn what others can bring to the table. Consider these strengths when assigning roles or project tasks.
• First meetings are key to setting a good tone. Plan enough time to:
  • Learn people’s goals for the group
  • Learn people’s strengths
  • Assign roles
  • Set up a meeting schedule
  • Review the tools you will need to support your work (Google docs, Wiki page, etc.)
• Be clear about everyone’s goals so that the group has a clear idea of what people expect to get from the group study process. Goals are important to motivation.
• Get everyone working
  • Assign tasks that play to individual strengths
  • Assign a progress-checker role to follow up on progress
  • Use meetings to review progress and provide guidance and support where needed.
  • Choose a good online tool to help you collect and respond to one another’s ideas and questions between meetings.
• Conflict is natural and can be necessary to achieve collaboration. Learn to manage it.
  • Develop effective communication skills.
  • Work toward mutual understanding.
  • Keep group interests at the forefront.
  • Be flexible in looking for solutions.
  • Make sure solutions work for everyone.