Recommendations of which approach to apply with strategies on how the leader can implement them to maximize their outcomes.

Respond to two peers’ initial posts with recommendations of which approach to apply with strategies on how the leader can implement them to maximize their outcomes.

Student post down below:

Based on approaches on community collaboration found in the literature, what are two that appeal to you?

In this week’s literature we explored approaches on community collaboration. One phrase that stuck out to me that I think organizations that collaborate should keep in mind is, “The hope for collaboration is to integrate one another’s interests into solutions that will strengthen relationships, foster understanding, and cultivate trust (Heath & Isbell, 2017).”

One approach to community collaboration that appeals to me is appreciative inquiry. It is a style of innovation that promotes originality within a group of people who are coming together to create a project. The second approach is brainstorming. “Brainstorming is part of the vocabulary that composes a praxis of collaborative solution-generation (Heath & Isbell, 2017).”

Which approach do you feel most comfortable with based on your skills, your abilities, and your values?

I feel most comfortable with appreciative inquiry (AI) and brainstorming because I’m the type of person who likes to listen to other people point of view. I like to try to understand where another person is coming from. When you sit down with a group of people who may have different views; it is important to be able to listen and understand what each person/group is trying to achieve. I think that AI and brainstorming can go hand in hand. They both require groups of people putting their ideas on the table. Every idea can’t be used but having an understanding of another person’s idea would definitely make everyone in the group feel like they have a voice and that their opinion is valued. “Instead of paying attention to a problem and thus highlighting it, AI focuses on what works, assuming that an organization (or a collaboration) is “a solution to be embraced.” This ethic is vital to understanding those who hold different perspectives; it directs us toward each other’s strengths and contributions. It reminds us of the power of our language and questions as we move toward resolutions (Heath & Isbell, 2017).”

Which approach seems to be the best fit for the community problem that your new initiative is to address?

I think that brainstorming and appreciative inquiry would best fit the community problem if used together. The collaborative groups each brings something different to the table that will help bring the project together. An issue had already been defined, so there is no need to talk about the issue at hand, but solutions to making the program work. This can be done through brainstorming and appreciative inquiry. “This involves community members learning from each other through descriptive, explanatory, and praxis dialogues utilizing their social networks of ties and communities of practice. This practice of community development enables a community to address its problems and needs (development IN the community) and to enhance community members’ relationships, togetherness, enthusiasm, and self-worth (development OF community) (Mtika & Kistler, 2017).” One group of stakeholders that could assist with brainstorming for the mentoring project could be teachers of the students who are in the underserved communities.