B8438 - Effective Communication, Leadership, and Team Building

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student acquires fundamental skills to work in a team, interacting effectively with colleagues and communicating in an effective and context-appropriate manner. In particular, the student: understands the main theoretical models of effective communication, identifying the dynamics that influence communication processes in professional and personal contexts; knows the fundamental models of leadership: knows the socio-psychological processes underlying teams; is able to use effective verbal and non-verbal communication techniques, adapting their communication style according to the context and the audience, in order to improve interaction and team collaboration; knows how to activate psychosocial resources for team management and effectiveness in achieving goals.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course (I.C.) "Fundamentals of the veterinary profession" which aims to provide the student with adequate knowledge of the fundamental principles of veterinary legislation and economics, in both national and international contexts, the concepts of One Health and Circular Health, as well as the role of the veterinarian and national and supranational institutions in safeguarding animal and human health and welfare. Upon completion of the Integrated Course “Fundamentals of the Veterinary Profession”, students understand the principles of effective communication, teamwork, leadership, and ethical dilemmas in the veterinary profession. Additionally, the student gains expertise in information digitalization, big data, and artificial intelligence, as well as in ethics, communication, and teamwork, all of which are essential for personal and professional growth.

The syllabus of the teaching unit B8438 - Effective Communication, Leadership, and Team Building is structured as follows:

Introduction to the course

• Fundamentals of social psychology 
• Classical studies in social influence
• Communicating effectively with clients, and colleagues

Emotions, empathy, and burnout in the veterinary profession

• Burnout and psycho-social well-being in veterinary profession
• Empathic listening and communication 
• Handling difficult emotions (anxiety, grief, frustration)

Interpersonal communication in the veterinary profession 

• Verbal and nonverbal communication
• Active listening and managing conversations with clients and colleagues
• Assertiveness and effective communication in challenging situations
• Giving and receiving feedback among colleagues

Team building, collaboration, and negotiation 

• Teamwork in veterinary practice
• Group dynamics: roles, norms, relationships
• Leadership styles, responsibility, and collaboration competencies
• Diversity and inclusion in groups – diversity management

 

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ).

Required reading/studying materials for the preparation of the exam: teaching slides shown in class and provided on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en).

Supplementary readings for specific insights :

Myers, D. G., Twenge, J. M., Marta, E., Pozzi, M. (2019). Psicologia Sociale (III edizione). McGraw Hill Education. ISBN: 9788838695346 (only chapters 4, 5)

Bastian, B., & Loughnan, S. (2017). Resolving the meat-paradox: A motivational account of morally troublesome behavior and its maintenance. Personality and Social Psychology Review.

Costello, K., & Hodson, G. (2014). Explaining dehumanization among children: the interspecies model of prejudice. The British journal of social psychology, 53(1), 175–197. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12016

Leach, S & Dhont, K (2023) Non-Speciesist Language Conveys Moral Commitments to Animals and Evokes Do-Gooder Derogation. Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations. (2), e9869, https://doi.org/10.5964/phair.9869

Teaching methods

Teaching methods:

• In-person teaching and class discussion
• Structured and guided peer-to-peer or small group discussions
• Role-play activities
• Individual / group assignments on topics covered during the course

Students with disabilities or special needs requiring adaptations, accommodations, and modifications to the examination should express their needs to the teacher at the beginning of the course and/or contact the UNIBO service for students with special needs (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ).

Assessment methods

Integrated course exam

This course unit is part of the Integrated Course (I.C.) Fundamentals of the Veterinary Profession. The examination will be carried out for the entire I.C. and will include all the modules part of the I.C. In order to pass the exam, the student will need to achieve the sufficiency threshold (approx. 60%, i.e., 18/30) in each of the course units. If one or more thresholds are not met, the Candidate will need to repeat the whole exam.

The assessment will be carried out through a written test consisting of questions (with an approximate duration of about 20 minutes).
The exam is considered passed with a minimum score of 18 out of 30.

Teaching tools

Teaching Materials and Learning Support

• Lecture slides integrated with interactive online polls (Wooclap)

• Videos, online resources, and required readings

• Collaborative tools (e.g., digital whiteboard) for group brainstorming activities

All teaching materials are accessible on the Virtuale platform and can be reached via the link provided on the instructor’s webpage.

If students experience difficulty in understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification sessions upon request. Meetings must be scheduled in advance via email.

Office hours

See the website of Edita Fino