Collaboration and Team Dynamics

JENNIFER VALERY, ALEXANDER SCOTT, AND MONIQUE LOPEZ

COMM/516

NOVEMBER 10, 2014

RICH MERLO

COLLABORATION AND TEAM DYNAMICS

SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION AND TEAM DYNAMICS: TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED

• Collaborative skills equal success in the workforce

• Teamwork promotes creativity and diversity

• Learning to appreciate diversity and solving conflict

• Work quality increases and more is accomplished in a group

STRATEGIES FOR USING CONFLICT RESOLUTION AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING

Conflict is usually thought of as negative

Keep a positive mindset

Use every challenge as a learning opportunity

STRATEGIES FOR USING CONFLICT RESOLUTION AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING (CONTINUED)

Here are some ways to learn from conflict resolution:

• View conflict as positive

• Expect conflict to happen

• Learn the five strategies for conflict management found in the learning team tool kit

• Communicate your feelings and expectations regarding the conflict

• Actively listen to other team members concerns

LEARNING STYLES TO STRENGTHEN THE TEAM DYNAMIC

Div

ersi

ty Recognizing the diverse

learning styles

Op

po

rtu

nit

y Use uniqueness as opportunities to learn from

others

Stre

ngt

hen

Their strength can be your

weakness

LEARNING STYLES TO STRENGTHEN THE TEAM DYNAMIC (CONTINUED)

The purpose of team learning is to grow as a team and individually.

The Team Learning Tool Kit says, “learning styles should not be allowed to become straightjackets”.

We all need to learn to function outside of our comfort zones.

CRUCIAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR AN EFFECTIVE LEARNING TEAM

• It takes two to communicate

• Learning requires communication

• Teamwork requires communication

• Learning as a group can improve understanding

• Teammates are resources

Effective Communication Promotes Effective Learning

CRUCIAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR AN EFFECTIVE LEARNING TEAM

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

• Acknowledge the opposing opinion as valid, especially when you disagree

• Hear everyone and make them feel heard

• Accept a compromise

REMEMBER TO SPEAK

• Just listening is not communication

• Don’t ever be afraid to disagree

• You are a valuable resource

USING THE LEARNING TEAM CHARTER

• Define your expectations.

A CONTRACT FOR FAIR WORK

• What are some common sources of confusion? How might you avoid them?

ANSWER QUESTIONS BEFORE THEY BECOME PROBLEMS

• Know who, what, and when. How doesn’t hurt either.

RECORD THE PLAN

• Ask questions. Find out when and how you can get together.

KNOW YOUR TEAM

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR TEAM

• How do you define “fair work”?

• Where have you seen this before?

• How would you explain your teammate’s idea?

• What do my teammate’s think?

SOME TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION

EFFECTIVE COMPONENTS NECESSARY FOR TEAM SUCCESS

• Team members must feel like they can work towards completing the team goal while accomplishing personal goals. Team members are willing to work toward a goal if their personal needs have been met (Bateman & Snell, 2003).

Individual and Team Goals

• “refers to how attractive the team is to its members, how motivated members are to remain in the team, and the degree to which team members influence one another” (Bateman & Snell, 2003, pp. 424-449).

Cohesiveness

• When goals are accomplished, team members are more likely to feel motivated by their team’s success.

Success and Motivation

HOW DO TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL SUCCESSES DIFFER?

INDIVIDUAL TEAM

Goals Successful and quality team performance

Cohesiveness amongst team members

Motivation to succeed

Goals Personal development and success

Equal contribution to teamwork

Accomplishment and reward

HOW DOES COHESIVENESS CREATE A SUCCESSFUL TEAM?

Cohesiveness:

“refers to how attractive the team is to its members, how motivated members are to remain in the team, and the degree to which team members influence one another” (Bateman & Snell, 2003, pp. 424-449).

When teams get along, the harmonious environment promotes productivity.

When teammates communicate well and recognize diversity within groups, they are more willing to learn from one another and continue to produce quality work.

It is also possible for cohesive teams to use their bond to help leaders keep everyone on track. They begin to feel accountable for the entire group’s success.

MOTIVATIONAL STRATEGIES TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITYACCOUNTABILITY MOTIVATION PRODUCTIVITY

IS TRUST AS IMPORTANT AS MOTIVATION TO SUCCEED?

-teammates trust one another to complete their shares of the

assignment.

-leaders trust that team members will stay on task and ask for help and

notify them of any complications.

-team members trust leaders to keep projects organized and other

members motivated to stay on task.

-the team is built on the confidence in individual and group productivity,

remaining motivated, and succeeding in completion of tasks.

Success

REFERENCES

• Bateman, T. S., & Snell, S. (2003). Management: The New Competitive Landscape (6th ed.). : The McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

• University of Phoenix. (2004). Learning Team Toolkit. Available on the University of Phoenix student/faculty website: http://ecampus.phoenix.edu (11/09/14)