 |
"It takes two to
speak the
truth: one
to
speak and
another to
hear"-Thoreau | "I always
prefer to
believe
the
best
of everybody -
it saves
so much
trouble."
--Rudyard
Kipling |
|
Achieving
Effectiveness
Through Team
CommunicationTeams are groups of
individuals who work together to accomplish a task/project. Team
effectiveness is dependent upon team communication. The quality of the
team's work, to a large extent, depends upon the quality of the information
shared. The ability of team members to understand and communicate
information enables them to work together collaboratively. The
Components of Communication
Communication consists of three main parts. The following chart
gives basic instruction for identifying and dealing with these
components.
|
TYPE OF
COMMUNICATION | Sensory
Data | Thoughts | Feelings |
WHAT IT
INCLUDES
| This is information (raw data) you have absorbed through
your senses. It consists of what you have heard and seen, both verbally
and nonverbally. It can include body language, gestures, tone of voice,
actions, etc. | These are your own ideas based upon your
intake of the sensory data around you. It is what you have once you have
processed the sensory data. These are concrete thoughts, and beliefs, not
feelings.
| This is your emotional response to sensory data and your
own thoughts about them. Your feelings may be either rational or
irrational based upon the sensory data. |
HOW TO DEAL
WITH IT
| Describe and be open about what you have seen and heard -
verbal and nonverbal. Supply concrete information about who, what, when,
where and how. | Say what you think - believe, interpret,
expect. This includes the logical, analytical, and rational processes of
weighing data to arrive at a conclusion.
| Try to disclose your emotions directly, without using the
word "feel."
"I'm frustrated...."
"I'm anxious..."
"I'm confident..."
"I'm comfortable."
Recognizing your feelings helps you manage yourself. |
| | Click here to return to top of
page |
| Barriers to Effective Communication
Barriers in team communication result from the inability of team members to
distinguish the difference between various communication channels we use to
speak, such as facts, individual's feelings, personal values and
opinions. |
| A fact
is something that has actually happened or that is really true without any
emotional reference.
Feelings refer to any subjective reaction, pleasurable or unpleasurable,
that a person may have to a situation, sometimes with the absence of
reason.
Values refer to important personal ideals that make people behave the way
they do.
Opinions are a set of beliefs not based on absolute certainty but on what
seems true to one's own mind. |  |
| | Feedback
Feedback is a verbal or nonverbal process in which a team member shares his
or her feelings or perceptions about another team member's behavior,
action, or words. The process of giving and receiving feedback is one of
the most important ways for learning new behaviors and determining the
impact of our behavior on others. Almost all aspects of team communication
involve feedback - giving and receiving information about team-related
experience.
By giving clear and concise feedback, team members and the entire
organization will benefit.
BENEFITS of
feedback
- Feedback reduces uncertainty.
- Feedback solves problems.
- Feedback builds trust.
- Feedback can strengthen relationships.
- Feedback improves work quality.
GUIDELINES for
giving feedback
- Be specific, and give as much as possible.
- Be descriptive, not evaluative.
- Be timely.
- Be honest.
- Be on-going.
GUIDELINES for
receiving feedback
- Be open.
- Do NOT be defensive.
- Encourage feedback from others.
- Honestly weigh and analyze the information.
- Use and apply the feedback!
Understanding the components and barriers of communication, as well as
giving and receiving feedback are essential elements of effective team
communication.
These tips and guidelines will assist team members in developing open
channels of communication where team members can learn and grow from each
other, thereby becoming more effective in the achievement of their shared
goals. Challenge the members of your team with these simple guidelines.
Watch for the amazing results!
|
| Click here to return to top of
page |
InterLink
Training & Coaching LLC
All Rights Reserved ©2000-2009
Phone (602)
421-9927 • Fax (602) 276-0148
E-mail
Linda@InterLinkTC.com
|
|