A team, whether made up of three or 30 people, is an interdependent group that is collectively committed to shared goals. Businesses and organizations rely on effective communication between and within teams for everything from daily functioning to long-term planning. In fact, the effectiveness of team communication within an organization can greatly impact the overall health and success of the organization. Strong communication practices, likewise, shape your experiences as a team member, as well as your team's overall effectiveness and productivity.
Nonverbal Behavior
One key element of effective team communication is that of nonverbal behavior. Any aspect of a message that does not involve the use of language is considered nonverbal communication or behavior, such as facial, vocal and physical expressions, as well as personal appearance. In a team, your nonverbal communication can add to or detract from the credibility and trustworthiness of your verbal message. Ways to exercise effective nonverbal behavior within a team include engaging in appropriate eye contact, using expressive facial responses, practicing strong posture, wearing appropriate attire, moderating vocal expressions and using appropriate gestures and physical reactions.
Interactive Listening
Effective communication of a team could not occur without the practice of interactive listening. Interactive listening involves asking purposeful questions that are designed to improve the communication process, such as questions encouraging elaboration and ones expressing empathy. Effective listeners also engage in appropriate eye contact and other nonverbal communication practices. Dan O'Hair, Gustav W. Friedrich and Lynda Dee Dixon, in "Strategic Communication in Business and the Professions," explain that "understanding, agreement, empathy, and emotional responses can be displayed effectively by means of nonverbal cues." These nonverbal cues sometimes may be as simple as a smile and a nod of the head.
Informative Feedback
Informative feedback also serves an important role in effective communication within teams. Feedback encompasses any response, verbal or nonverbal, to the message of another person. When feedback is informative, it helps group members to understand the development and the current status of a message or a task. Isa N. Engleberg and Dianna R. Wynn, in "Working in Groups," explain that informative feedback both "encourages groups and provides evidence of their progress." Informative feedback, through specific and descriptive responses, can help to improve the effectiveness of the group and to increase the satisfaction of its members.
Conflict Resolution
Teams with effective communication practices engage in conflict resolution as well. Conflict, as O'Hair, Friedrich and Dixon explain, "results when people view other people---[those] on whom they depend---as the reason they cannot attain their goals." Conflict may develop over differences in goals, loyalties or ideals, or may reflect misunderstanding and miscommunication. Whatever the cause, recognizing and handling conflict takes patience and commitment both to the needs of the individual as well as of the team. Effective resolution of a conflict involves interactive listening and informative feedback, as well as collaborative problem-solving and goal-setting.
References
- "Working in Groups"; Isa N. Engleberg and Dianna R. Wynn; 2007
- "Strategic Communication in Business and the Professions"; Dan O'Hair, Gustav W. Friedrich, and Lynda Dee Dixon; 2005
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