Exhibit:          Megan

 

Benchmark:   Teamwork/Communication

 

Skill:               TC102: Seek to understand different points of view and TC103: Anticipate the impact of actions or word on others.

 

A relationship takes more communication than anything else.  You have to always be considerate of your significant other because everything you do and say affects them.  You need to understand where they are coming from no matter how hard it is.  In the end you are a team and you always have to work together to live happily in sync.

 

I have been in a relationship for almost two years now and in all honesty it has not been the easiest thing, but my girlfriend Megan and I have always tried to openly communicate with one another so that we can be as happy and functional as possible.  Now we are in Megan's second year at the University of Michigan and we are both really busy, which means we do not always see each other as much as we should.  This would put a strain on anyone's relationship, and we are no different but through open communication and an understanding of one another.  To make this relationship work we both have to (TC102) Seek to understand different points of view.  Megan works extremely hard and is busy 90% of the time which leaves very little time for us, but I understand that she has to work this hard; she wants to earn the best grades she can and become a master in her field of study, to secure a job in her career field.  I accept her being busy all of the time because I realize how important to her all of it is.  This being said there are times where I have gotten frustrated, but I would never say anything because I know how much it would hurt her if I did not accept her busy life.  I understand that she works hard so I (TC103) anticipated the impact of my actions or word on her and I brought it up in a way that would not upset her, as opposed to talking out of frustration, and we openly communicated about it and we have reached a place where we are both content with where we are at in our relationship. 

 

Just because you see something in a certain light that doesn't mean that everyone else does and you have to take into consideration everyone else to really have an understanding.  We all have to be considerate to others, so we all have to watch what we do and say a lot of the time.  In my career as an Art Director the client has a vision and it is my job to se it from their point of view and make exactly what they want, because that is what they paid for and deserve.  As the leader of the team I have to always give only constructive criticism so that my team will continue to produce a good product but at the same time I will not offend someone and cause problems in the workspace.  Right now, as a young adult, I have a lot of relationships and to keep them healthy I have to always consider that person’s feelings in what I do or say, and to keep communications open I have to always understand their point of view.