Team_Dynamics_-_Team_Communication

Do the dynamics of team communication create superior and organized group skills or result in inferior and defensive competition' Many different observations can be gathered for consideration to initiate this response. Communication styles are expressed and performed. Willingness to express and participate in listening creates effective team communication. Planning team roles accomplishes understanding and coordinating to complete the project. Both team challenges and benefits result in dynamic team communication. “Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”(Ewing, 2005) Many people may find that it is intimidating to work as a team. Different levels of knowledge are involved for team communication as well as different backgrounds. Some teammates have the willingness to talk and share information; they have acquired listening skills and understanding skills. Other members of a team may view teamwork as some place to blame for misunderstandings, be defensive in their reactions and even feel like they need to be competitive. The gestures someone may use, the expressions on their face or even the way a person carries themselves is all part of one’s body language. Body language is a type of communication style. An example of how communication styles can be construed as a negative style so quickly by simply folding ones arms which creates a closed feeling. As a team, it is strongly recommended that everyone feel motivated to get their part accomplished. “Experience is a hard teacher because she gives us the test first, the lesson afterward.”(Law, 2006, pg.1) Team planning and coordination are essential to any successful project. Team communication requires all roles to be clearly defined and everyone to understand which duties they are expected to accomplish. Flexibility is also needed from everyone to clearly coordinate responsibilities to accomplish this project. Teammates involved should be cognizant of the hard work and dedicated time involved from everyone to be completed. Teammates who have the willingness to share research information, support teammate ideas and show positive listening skills create an effective communication environment. Techniques such as these indicate that a teammate is involved and will be a positive asset to team projects. Active listening skills involve understanding, asking others opinions as a courtesy before giving one’s own, and most importantly being prepared with a suggestion in lieu of speaking before thinking. Effective communication also involves portraying what seems to be an individual problem as a mutual and honest concern. Communication is the largest part of any project as it can make it or break it. Benefits to team communication certainly come by the dozens. When working in a team, with communication teammates can identify ones weaknesses and strengths while developing relationships. With several people involved on a project, many diverse ideas develop. By distributing the workload amongst team members, a greater responsibility is encumbered. Silently, listening skills are encouraged in the development of working together as a team and the reduction in errors can only be increased. In addition to team benefits of communication, along come challenges. Team challenges are not easily misplaced when groups of people with different backgrounds, personalities, and beliefs are mingled together on the same project. Many reasons why conflicts arise during communicating is lack of listening during a project which results in misunderstandings and inconsistent information. A teammate who misses deadlines, meetings, does not respond to an email in a reasonable amount of time and one who is consistently not prepared usually owns the title of procrastinator. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings about the responsibilities pertaining to the project, confusion and lack of commitment, therefore creating a negative environment. A positive way to approach this situation is to focus on the issue and not the problem. Debates will be the result if a team cannot communicate together. In summary, team communication is essential for groups of people who share a common goal. Many different factors combined together create a successful plan for communicating. Team communication style such as body language, motivation and procrastination; group planning including understanding and coordinating; and effective communication such as the willingness to learn and participate in active listening are all ways that a team must participate for a positive project outcome. Team benefits include reduction in errors and listening skills confirming that more ears are better than one. The benefits outweigh the team challenges which can be resolved as long as everyone has a can-do attitude.