Communication in Team Dynamics

Communication in Team Dynamics

University of Phoenix

Communication in Team Dynamics

Teams are becoming a very important aspect in businesses around the world. Since it is so important, understanding team dynamics is crucial in the success of any business. Teams are group of people, usually three or more, which get together and try and solve a problem or complete a task in which everyone on the team is held accountable. The web site for the Professional Practice Curriculum (2006) says to become a team, a group must have: (a) shared responsibility, (b) shared information, (c) unity of purpose, (d) a clearly defined objective, and (e) authority (power). There are many aspects of team dynamics that are important. In any team you will have to deal with team member roles, project planning in teams, conflict resolutions, and team communication, just to name a few. By far it is communication that is the most important ingredient in team dynamics. This paper will talk about the following aspects of team communication: (a) team building, (b) communication type, (c) feedback, (d) getting the message, and (e) media for communications. Communication is the primary aspect of any team and without effective use of it the team is bound to fail.

Team Building

The most effective way corporations found to reduce the communication barriers is to set up team building exercises. Most teams do this when they first get together or when there are communication problems. Some teams take personality tests to match personality types with their traits and this will match them with what type of leader they may become. Other teams play certain games and do different exercises to build trust, loosen up, and have a little fun amongst its team members. Still other teams go on elaborate treasure or scavenger hunts that their corporation sends them on to improve communication. Dr Clue Treasure Hunts (2006), a company specializing in clue-based, company focused scavenger and treasure hunts, has this to say about its treasure hunts:

During your Dr. clue treasure hunt, you'll actively turn teamwork into results--learning new team techniques for reducing errors, increasing production, inspiring innovation and boosting your bottom line. And you'll do this while solving amazing, mind-boggling codes and puzzles on the streets of some of the worlds most fascinating treasure hunt locations. (para 4)

Corporations are spending a lot of money to improve communication and team dynamics.

Team building is a good way for teams to get together and get to know one another and start to communicate effectively.

Communication Type

There are a lot of different kinds of things that are communicated in any given session. Usually, the team starts off with hard data that the team has to process. This is why the team is there. For example, team A must figure out a way to produce 10,000 widgets by next month. The raw data is also sensory data that is going on in the room. It could be a nonverbal smirk as well as an abusive tone of voice. Another aspect that is communicated is the team member's opinions. Each team member needs to voice his or her opinion on how the task is to be complete. At this part of the session it is very important that everybody is able to speak freely about his or her opinion. It is also important to encourage others to speak up and be heard. Thoughts and feeling play an important role in voicing opinions about the raw data. According to a team communication website called Interlink Training and Coaching LLC (2003), thoughts are ones own ideas based on the intake of the hard data and feelings are the emotional response to that data. If team members aren't comfortable enough to express his or her feelings, then they may be left out. It is also important that members are not belittled or made fun of over what they may say. This may prevent members from sharing in the future.

Feedback

The next step of good communication is feedback. Interlink Training and Coaching (2003) says there are many benefits of feedback that include the following: (a) reduces uncertainty, (b) solves problems, (c), builds trust, (d) strengthens relationships, and (e) and improves work quality. Basically, feedback is taking what somebody has said and convey that it is understood and then agreeing to it or offering another option. This is a very important step in decision-making and in the communication process. When giving feedback it is important to be specific and descriptive as possible, be timely, and be honest. It is also important not to be overly critical so as not to discourage future communication sessions. When receiving feedback it is important to be open to what they say, not be defensive, and encourage feedback from everybody. It is easy to get defensive when receiving feedback. It is beneficial to just be as open as possible. The feedback step is very important because this is where the free flow of ideas takes place and where progress really starts to flow.

Getting the Message

The next step is getting the message. This is where the group listens to everything that has been said and tries to resolve the conflicts. According to the Project Team Communication website (2006), supportive listening and comprehensive listening are pivotal