Functional English
Team Collaboration
Topics
What is Team Work
Collaboration
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Focus
• The advantages and disadvantages of working in
teams
• The characteristics of effective teams
• Key issues of group dynamics
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Collaboration
Working together to solve
complex problems—an essential
skill for workers in nearly every profession.
What is a Team
A team is a unit of two or more people who share a
mission and the responsibility for working to achieve
a common goal.
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Problem-Solving Task Forces Committees
Teams
Assemble to Assemble to Assemble regularly
resolve specific resolve specific to resolve ongoing
issues issues and recurring
issues
Cross-functional Cross-functional Focused teams for
for maximum for maximum strategic planning,
diversity diversity etc.
Disband once goal Disband once goal Formal teams with
is achieved is achieved long life span
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Team members have a shared mission and are
collectively responsible for their work.
Advantages of Teams
• Increased Information and Knowledge
• Increased Diversity of Views
• Increased Acceptance of a Solution
• Higher Performance Levels
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Characteristics of Effective Teams
• Clear sense of purpose
• Open and honest communication
• Consensus-based decision making
• Creativity
• Effective conflict resolution
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Group Dynamics
Group dynamics are the interactions and processes
that take place within a team.
Develop clear norms, informal standards of conduct
that members share and that guide member behavior
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Assuming Team Roles
Dysfunctional: Functional: Team- Functional: Task-
Self-Oriented Maintenance Roles Oriented Roles
Roles
Controlling: Encouraging: Initiating:
Dominating others Drawing out other Getting the team
by exhibiting members by started on a line of
superiority or showing verbal inquiry
authority and nonverbal
support, praise, or
agreement
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Assuming Team Roles
Dysfunctional: Functional: Team- Functional: Task-
Self-Oriented Maintenance Roles Oriented Roles
Roles
Withdrawing: Harmonizing: Information giving
or seeking:
Retiring from the Reconciling
team either by differences among Offering (or
becoming silent or team members seeking)
by refusing to deal through mediation information
with a or by using humor relevant to
particular aspect to relieve tension questions facing
of the team’s work the team
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Assuming Team Roles
Dysfunctional: Functional: Functional: Task-
Self-Oriented Team- Oriented Roles
Roles Maintenance
Roles
Attention seeking: Compromising: Coordinating:
Calling attention to Offering to yield on Showing
oneself and a point in the relationships
demanding interest of among ideas,
recognition from reaching a clarifying issues,
others mutually and summarizing
acceptable what the team has
decision done
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Assuming Team Roles
Dysfunctional: Functional: Team- Functional: Task-
Self-Oriented Roles Maintenance Roles Oriented Roles
Diverting: Procedure setting:
Focusing the
team’s discussion Suggesting
oo topics of decision making
interest to the procedures that
individual rather will move the team
than of those toward a goal
relevant to the task
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Members roles : Three categories
Self-oriented roles:
Motivated to fulfill personal needs - less productive
than other members
“Dream teams” - multiple superstars
Often don’t perform - high-performing individuals can
have trouble putting the team’s needs ahead of their
own Highly skilled and experienced people - difficult
personalities might not contribute (other team
members may avoid interacting with them)
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Team-maintenance roles
to help everyone work well together
Task-oriented roles
to help the team reach its goals
(Far more likely to contribute to team goals are
members who assume)
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Allowing for Team Evolution
Orientation Conflict Brainstorming Emergence Reinforcement
Team Different Team members The team The team re-
members get opinions explore their reaches a establish
to know each and opinions and consensus harmony and
other and perspectiv evaluate on the makes plans to
establish es begin to alternatives chosen put the
roles emerge decision decision into
action
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Overcoming Resistance
Actively Listen
Express Interest
Ask Questions
Move Towards Resolution via Collaboration
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Communicating Effectively in Teams
Overcoming Resistance
• Particular type of conflict - impede progress is
resistance to change
• Resistance is clearly irrational
(people resist any kind of change, whether the
change makes sense or not)
• Sometimes resistance is perfectly logical.
(A change may require someone to relinquish
authority or give up comfortable ways of doing
things)
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Collaboration
To collaborate effectively:
Be flexible and open to other opinions
Focusing on team objectives rather than on
individual priorities
Avoid the “my way is best” attitude
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Collaboration
Guideline for collaboration
Select Collaborators Carefully
Agree on Project Goals
Give the Team Time to Bond
Clarify Individual Responsibilities
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Developing Your Business Etiquette
Etiquette is an essential element of every aspect of
business communication.
Remember:
• Be aware of your effect on others
• Treating everyone with respect
• Keeping in mind that the impressions you leave
behind can have a lasting effect on you and your
company.
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Developing Your Business Etiquette
As the etiquette expert Cindy Post Senning points out:
“The principles of respect, consideration, and honesty
are universal and timeless.”
Business Etiquette in the Workplace
Personal Appearance
Personal Grooming
Phone Skills
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Developing Your Business Etiquette
Work Place Etiquettes
Workplace etiquette includes - behaviors, habits, and
aspects of nonverbal communication
• Pay attention to the style of dress - adjust your
style to match with your work place
• Watch the video
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Developing Your Business Etiquette
• Grooming is as important as attire
• Pay close attention to cleanliness
• Avoid using products with powerful scents, such
as perfumed soaps, colognes, shampoos, and
aftershaves
(many people are bothered by these products, and
some are allergic to them).
• IM and other text-based tools have taken over
many exchanges that used to take place over the
phone, but phone skills are still essential
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Developing Your Business Etiquette
Using Phones in the Workplace
Be Conscious of How Your Voice Sounds
Be Courteous
Convey a Positive, Professional Attitude
End Calls With Courtesy and Clarity
Use Your Outgoing Voicemail Message to Help
Callers
Be Considerate and Clear When Leaving Voicemail
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Developing Your Business Etiquette
Business Etiquette in Social Situations
Etiquette is particularly important when you represent
your company in public.
Meeting Others Business Meals
Representing Your Observing Dining Etiquette
Company
Introducing Yourself Choose Foods that are Easy
to Eat
Introducing Others Avoid Alcohol
Observing Customs – Choose Appropriate Topics
Especially for International for Conversation
Business
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Developing Your Business Etiquette
Business Etiquette Online
Here are some guidelines to follow whenever you
are representing your company while using digital
media:
Avoid Personal Attacks
Stay Focused on the Original Topic
Don’t Present Opinions as Facts
Follow Correct Grammar and Spelling
Use Virus Protection and Keep it Current
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Developing Your Business Etiquette
Business Etiquette Online
Use Secure Passwords
Ask if it is a Good Time to IM Chat
Avoid Profanity and Emoticons
Avoid Multitasking
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THANK YOU
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