| |
 |
Book Home > Table of Contents > Chapter Outline > Page 9
Chapter 2: Communicating in Teams: Collaboration, Listening, Nonverbal, and Meeting Skills
|
|
|
 |
Summary of Learning Objectives
Add/Edit Comments
|
|
|
|
| 1. | Highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using teams. Teams
can achieve a higher level of performance than individuals because of
the combined intelligence and energy of the group. Motivation and
creativity flourish in team settings. Moreover, individuals tend to
perform better because they achieve a sense of purpose by belonging to
a group. Teams also bring more input and a greater diversity of views,
which tends to result in better decisions. And because team members
participate in the decision process, they are committed to seeing the
results succeed. Teams are not without disadvantages, however. If
poorly managed, teams can be a waste of everyone's time. If members are
pressured to conform, they may develop groupthink, which can lead to
poor-quality decisions and ill-advised actions; some members may let
their private motives get in the way. Others may not contribute their
fair share, so certain tasks may not be completed. |
Add/Edit Comments
|
|
|
|
| 2. | Identify the characteristics of effective teams.
Effective team members interact openly and recognize the value that
others bring to the group. Members are willing to exchange information,
examine issues, and work though conflicts. They focus on the greater
good of the team instead of personal agendas. As a group, they
understand what is expected of them, stick to the task at hand, and
reach decisions by consensus after open, honest debate. All members are
encouraged to think creatively and participate. They listen to and
value feedback from others, and they don't feel threatened by taking an
unpopular stance. |
Add/Edit Comments
|
|
|
|
| 3. | Discuss the tasks involved in preparing effective team messages, and list nine guidelines for improvement.
Effective team messages require team members to be flexible and
open-minded so that they can focus on the team's objectives rather than
their own. Team members need to get organized, select a leader, and
clarify goals. They must agree on the purpose of their project and on
who their audience is. Members must plan how the document will be
organized and formatted, and they must choose a writing style. To
prepare effective messages, team members can use guidelines such as the
following: (1) select team members wisely, (2) select a responsible
leader, (3) promote cooperation, (4) clarify goals, (5) elicit
commitment, (6) clarify responsibilities, (7) instill prompt action,
(8) apply technology, and (9) ensure technological compatibility. |
Add/Edit Comments
|
|
|
|
| 4. | Describe the listening process, and list three barriers that interfere with this process.
The listening process involves five activities: (1) receiving
(physically hearing the message), (2) interpreting (assigning meaning
to what you hear), (3) remembering (storing the message for future
reference), (4) evaluating (thinking about the message), and (5)
responding (reacting to the message, taking action, or giving
feedback). Three barriers can interfere with the listening process.
Prejudgment involves holding assumptions, right or wrong, sometimes
even distorting messages if they don't conform with what you want to
hear. Self-centeredness involves people monopolizing a conversation
with their own experience rather than listening to what someone else
has to say. And, finally, selective listening (or out-listening)
involves letting your mind wander away from the speaker and not paying
close attention. |
Add/Edit Comments
|
|
|
|
| 5. | Clarify the importance of nonverbal communication, and briefly describe six categories of nonverbal expression. Nonverbal
communication is important because actions speak louder than words.
Body language is more difficult to control than words and may reveal a
person's true feelings, motivation, or character. Because of this,
people believe nonverbal signals over words. In addition, nonverbal
communication is more efficient; with a wave of your hand or a wink,
you can streamline your thoughts and do so without much thought. Types
of nonverbal expression include facial expression, gesture and posture,
vocal characteristics, personal appearance, touching behavior, and use
of time and space. |
Add/Edit Comments
|
|
|
|
| 6. | Explain how you can improve meeting productivity through preparation, leadership, and participation.
When preparing to have a meeting, be sure that your purpose cannot be
accomplished better by some other means (e-mail, phone calls, etc.).
Plan effectively by deciding on your purpose, selecting participants
who really need to be there, choosing a location and time that are
conducive to your goals, and developing an agenda that is specific and
thorough. Conduct productive meetings by guiding, mediating, and
summarizing. Pace the discussion, and encourage everyone to
participate. Before the end, summarize conclusions and review who has
agreed to do what by what deadline. Follow up with minutes that show
recommended actions, schedules, and responsibilities. As a participant
in any meeting, do everything you can to contribute to the smooth
interaction of attendees as well as to the subject. |
Add/Edit Comments
|
| |
|
go to page:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
<< previous
|
next >>
|
| |
|
|
