How to Improve Communication Through Team-Building

Conflict Moves Teams Forward

Develop teamwork synergy through the facilitation of ideas, the exploration of those ideas, and follow-through to ensure all ideas are completely explored. Companies build and depend upon high performance project management teams to manage projects from inception to completion making communication critical among team members to reach targeted goals.

Instructions

Communication Builds High Performance Teams

1. Break the ice. Socialize politely with team members, refraining from conflict as roles are formed. Get to know each other and begin to work together to draw up target goals for your project. End the first meeting by reaffirming each member's value to the team.

2. Define team member roles during subsequent meetings, realizing that roles refine as teams progress. Be unafraid to use conflict to advance team objectives. Conflict enhances creativity, opening new lines of communication. Staid groups fail when ideas aren't generated and acted upon. Check team progress toward goals frequently, re-evaluating and redesigning member roles and communication processes if goals are not being met.

3. Move your team forward to project completion by facilitating active listening, questioning, and providing feedback. Don't allow 'social loafing,' allowing inactive, non-functional team members to be carried by active team members. Find ways to bring all team members into the fold by delegating specific jobs and deadlines. Be cohesive.

4. Adjourn your team after all goals are met. Reward team members for a job well-done and follow-up with them for feedback.

Tips & Warnings

• Forming your team rarely takes more than one meeting.

• Set expectations and parameters early.

• Most teams fail during step two--the storming phase where conflict resolution and cohesiveness are tested.

References

• Professional-Technical Education: Blueprint for a Dynamic Team
• MindTools: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing