The beauty of the Pursuit of Happiness is that no matter who you are, where you live, what you know, when you were born, or who you love, you can be happy. True happiness is above the five W’s and so are you. Learn how to find happiness in the good and bad times of life. Believe it. Read it. Be happy.
Joe Douglas
– Editor-in-Chief –
From birth to the end of junior high, children practice dependence. Mommy and daddy provide for them. In high school, they learned independence. They buy their own things and practice personal responsibility.
This isn’t high school anymore.
Interdependence is the next line in the evolution. Working together is the new lesson. It’s one of the most practical fundamentals that any student will ever learn.
College-level projects may have made most students aware of interdependence.
Each person must take responsibility for their own part of the project. Dividing up responsibilities among group members is the most basic element of interdependence.
The next level of interdependence is a combination of two traits: trust and integrity. People who learn to trust others to do their respective jobs and are accountable for their own actions will find working within a group much easier.
The greatest element of interdependence is communication. This means talking to one another on a regular basis, updating each other on current projects, and asking for help. This is the final tier of interdependence because it puts all of the previous elements to use simultaneously.
Talking to one another regularly is “communicating for rapport.” Discussing casual topics like work, television and friends will lead to a better understanding of other people. A positive rapport is also a great way to network for potential job opportunities. Divvy up responsibilities so it’s not always a solo, or independent, process.
Updating group members, teammates or partners on the status of a project or assignment is “communicating for report.” Giving up-to-date information on the status of a particular responsibility helps coordinate duties in case something falls behind or falls through. Frequent communication helps everyone come to a mutual understanding of the entire group’s progress, reduction of paranoia, and increased group morale.
There can be too little and too much communication, though. Too little communication leaves everyone in the dark, creating confusion and frustration. Too much communication can be annoying and come across as showing lack of trust. As the deadline approaches or the importance of the project increases, increasing communication up to three, even four times per week may be necessary. Find the right balance.
Sometimes the most difficult part of communication is “communicating for help.”
Asking for help can be the most challenging motion. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. Not asking for help puts everyone behind and leads to distrust. This is where independence gets people into trouble. Asking for help is a sign of integrity; it’s being accountable and fulfilling promises, even if it takes a helping hand.
It’s time to declare interdependence. Grow up, learn to depend on one another, and practice integrity. It’s not about having other people do all the work or doing all the work alone. Share responsibilities, be accountable, and ask for help, and happiness will be one step closer.
