Building Relationships. Is there a quick fix?

Assessments are always scary whether it’s the longevity of writing an individual essay, or the nail-biting revision timetable in preparation for that make or break exam. Despite this, group assessments take the word ‘pressure’ to a whole new level. You are the master of someone else’s fate and, even more terrifying, they are the master of yours.

Although first year touches upon group work – fifteen percent graded here and another twenty percent there – during second year you are certainly pushed to ‘up the stakes’. You are presented with figures such as fifty or sixty percent, ultimately determining, rather than contributing to those crucial end of year results.

So, how are you able to secure those essential group assessment grades? It’s all about finding the right people for you. Imagine you are a PR practitioner and your first year is a key networking event – it all starts there. It is all about building mutual relationships, finding out who you work well with and who can contribute to what you are trying to achieve. It’s only by interacting with each other or even working with one another that you can truly identify the people who are on your wavelength.

This makes second year easier in terms of group work, right? In theory, I would agree, but in practice you are still taken on that ever-increasing learning curve. Cutlip et al. states “Public Relations is the management function that establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and its publics on whom it’s success and failure depends”, a statement that could not be truer in this situation. I am lucky enough to be working with three girls whom I consider to be both great workers and even greater friends. But is my judgement correct?

Theory suggests yes. Dr. Meredith Belbin provides a key evidence of team role theory, explaining that there must a balance of personalities in order to work effectively from start to finish of a task.  Interestingly, the Belbin test revealed that all four of us were ‘team workers’ but that we all brought an individual trait to the mix. Identified as a ‘completer-finisher’, the test revealed that I had a great capacity to follow through with work to the highest degree of attention. Other members were revealed to be ‘plants’ (the brains of the operation) and ‘co-ordinators’ (the ‘calm and controlled’ members of the group).

Confused? Why not give it a try and find out what your team role will be?

Unfortunately, you can’t hand a questionnaire to everyone you meet. Sure, it would initially save time, but in the long run relationships simply aren’t that black and white. Relationships are built from the quality of time spent together, not just the quantity. Friendships (whether personal or working), just like Public Relations, are there for the long haul. They must be constantly worked on in order to develop not only a good reputation, but also to build up trust. The Belbin test may provide insight into both yours and the work ethics of those around you, but ultimately there is no quick fix. In all honesty though, where would the fun be in that?

Working in teams provides the perfect metaphor for Public Relations, a concept I plan to explore over the next eight weeks as I am asked to work within a group of four, not only to create a brief for an agency but to become one of those agencies ourselves. But let’s save that for another day.

Over and Out!
Rhi  x