Chapter 7

Mastering Team Skills

and Interpersonal
Communication

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 Learning Objectives
1. Communicating effectively in teams
2. Communicating collaboratively
3. Making meetings more productive
4. Review online meeting technologies
5. Improving listening skills
6. Improving nonverbal communication
7. Developing business etiquette
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 Communicating
Effectively in Teams

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Advantages of Teams
•Information
•Knowledge
•Solutions
•Diversity
•Performance
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 Disadvantages of Teams

•Hidden Agenda
•Groupthink
•Cost Issues

Chapter 2 -
Groupthink- the willingness of
individual members to set aside
their personal opinions and go
along with the rest of the team
members, even if they are wrong.

Chapter 2 -
 The ability to work effectively in teams is critical in
business. Explain.

• Team environment can boost the confidence of individuals, allowing

them to do their best work.

. Teams make the most of individual talents. Where one member may
be weak, another might be strong and working together they provide
the perfect resource for an organization. The more people work
together, the more they learn and progress well.

• Teams can create better communication and respectful relationships

among employees.

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Traits of Effective Teams

Objective & Purpose Strong Trust

Communication Decision Making

Creativity Resolving Conflict

Overcome Resistance
•Express Understanding

•Raise the Awareness of Resistance

•Evaluate Others’ Objections Fairly

•Hold Arguments for the Right Time

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 Collaborating on
Communication Efforts

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Collaborative Writing
• Selecting Collaborators

• Agreeing on Project Goals

• Taking Time to Bond

• Clarifying Responsibilities

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Collaborative Writing
• Establishing Clear Processes

• Avoiding Group Writing (delegate)

• Ensuring Technical Compatibility

• Checking Overall Progress

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Collaborative Technology

Organized Approach
Content
Management Controlled Access

Flexible Approach
Wiki Systems
Open Access

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 Teams and Workgroups

Collaboration Shared
Platforms Workspaces

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•Teamwork
•Communication
•Collaboration
•Knowledge
•Community

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 Workplace Feedback

•Constructive
•Destructive

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Making Your Meetings
More Productive
Productive Meetings

The Purpose Participants

Time & Venue The Agenda

Chapter 2 -
 Efficient Meetings
• Keep the meeting on track
• Follow agreed-upon rules
• Encourage everyone to participate
• Participate in an active way
• Close the meeting effectively
Meeting Technologies

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Types of Virtual Meetings
•Instant Messaging
•Teleconferencing
•Videoconferencing

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Successful Virtual Meetings

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Improving Listening Skills

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Types of Listening

Content Critical

Empathic Active
The Listening Process
1. Receiving
2. Decoding
3. Remembering
4. Evaluating
5. Responding
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 Barriers to Listening

Interruptions Distractions

Selective Listening Selective Perception

Language/Experience Memory Issues

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Improving Nonverbal
Communication Skills

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Nonverbal Categories
•Facial Expressions
•Gestures and Postures
•Vocal Characteristics

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Nonverbal Categories
•Personal Appearance
•Touching Behavior
•Time and Space

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Developing Your Business
Etiquette

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In the Workplace
Personal Business
Appearance Meetings

Phone Skills Mobile Phones

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Business Etiquette Online
• Behave professionally online
• Avoid personal attacks
• Stay focused on the original topic
• Don’t present opinions as facts
• Use standard spelling and grammar
Business Etiquette Online
• Use up-to-date virus protection
• Use hard-to-break passwords
• Ask permission before chatting
• Control language and emotions
• Avoid multitasking and IM
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Business Etiquette Online
• Never assume privacy
• Avoid “reply all” in email
• Don’t waste other people’s time
• Respect personal boundaries
• Be careful when commenting online
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