Lecturer: Gareth Jones Class 18: Teams. Teams ◦ What are teams? ◦ Types of teams ◦ Conflict resolution ◦ Team strategies 27/10/2015Business Communication

Lecturer: Gareth JonesLecturer: Gareth JonesClass 18: TeamsClass 18: Teams

Teams◦What are teams?◦ Types of teams◦Conflict resolution◦ Team strategies

20/04/23Business Communication (BUS-101) 2

A good team is better than the sum of its parts: 1 + 1 = 3


Formal teams◦Permanent committees

Informal◦ Task forces and problem-solving teams


Advantages◦ Increased information ◦Broad knowledge base◦Diversity of views◦Acceptance of solutions◦Performance levels


Disadvantages◦Peer pressure (strong among young people)◦Hidden agendas◦ Free riders (lazy members)◦High costs


Good team communication◦Select members carefully◦Agree on project goals◦ Take time to bond◦ Clarify individual responsibilities


Good team communication◦ Set clear processes◦ Select tools and techniques◦ Check progress often


Team Dynamic◦ This are the interactions and processes that happen to

make and keep a good team


Team Dynamic◦ Individual roles (what each member does)◦ Team rules (what is allowed)◦ Team Identity (what kind of a team are we)


Team Decision Making◦When a team needs to solve a problem, or perform a

task they usually go through 5 phases


Team Decision Making◦Orientation (learn about problem or task◦Conflict (Members may disagree about how to approach

the task)


Team Decision Making◦Brainstorm (as a group, think of ways to do the task)◦Emergence (the best way is suggested by a team

member)


Team Decision Making◦Reinforcement (other team members agree on this

solution)


Conflict in teams◦When team members disagree, it may be for one or

more of the following reasons


Conflict in teams◦Not enough resources◦No clear team roles◦Poor communication◦Power struggles◦Differing goals


Conflict in teams◦Conflict can be divided into two categories: destructive

(bad) and constructive (good)


Constructive Conflict◦Exposes problems◦Gets all members involved◦Generates new ideas


Destructive Conflict◦Wastes energy◦Destroys team spirit◦Divides the team against each other


Resolving conflict◦When there is conflict, it must be dealt with in one of the

following ways:


Resolving conflict◦Communication (team members should talk to each

other)◦Openness (team members should be honest with each

other. Say exactly what they want.


Resolving conflict◦ Flexibility (adapt to different team members. Change

your ideas)◦Alliance (smaller teams may form within the big team)


Overcoming Team Resistance◦No team can exist without some resistance, but there are

ways to effectively overcome it


Overcoming Team Resistance◦Be understanding◦ Let team members know if you are worried◦Don’t be personal


Effective Teams◦A good and effective team will have the following

qualities:


Effective Teams◦Clear purpose◦Creative thinking◦ Focused efforts


Effective Teams◦Open communication◦Agreement on decisions◦Conflict resolution


Team Meetings◦A key to good teamwork is having regular meetings to

make sure all members are doing what they need to do


Team Meetings◦ To have a good meeting, we must decide on the

following factors:


Purpose – Why are we having this meeting? Participants – Who is needed for this meeting?


Agenda – What will be discussed in this meeting? In what order?

Location – Where is the meeting taking place?


Meetings will be in the consult/join style Either way, to stay on track, an effective meeting will

have one leader


An effective meeting will follow the following rules:


Stay focused – remember what the meeting is about. Don’t talk about other things

Follow the rules – don’t do things that will hurt the team


Promote participation – make sure all team members are involved

Participate actively – answer all questions. Bring up any issues you want talked about


Close effectively – Decide on what needs to be done before the next meeting by each member


The key to a good meeting is good listening. Many barriers exist that hurt our listening


Listening Barriers◦Different opinions◦Bad reactions◦Selective listening (hear what you want to hear)


Listening Barriers◦Physical distractions◦Poor note taking◦Self involvement (only interested in your own ideas)


Effective listening◦ In order to get the most out of meetings, we must listen

effectively


Effective listening◦Minimise physical distractions◦Give your opinion on other’s ideas◦ Take notes


This concludes the business communications course Make sure you are well prepared for your examination!

GOOD LUCK!


Documents

Lecturer: Gareth Jones Class 18: Teams. Teams ◦ What are teams? ◦ Types of teams ◦ Conflict resolution ◦ Team strategies 27/10/2015Business Communication