Communication in Teams

Communication is the process of using verbal and nonverbal cues to negotiate a mutually acceptable meaning between two or more people. Process suggests that understanding constantly changes and develops through listening and speaking. To communicate in teams you need to develop an understanding of verbal and nonverbal cues, the ability to be flexible, the ability to negotiate meaning with other team members, the ability to balance inquiry and advocacy, and the ability to understand the environmental boundaries within the team (Hamilton, C. & Parker, C., 1997).

In order to build a communication model that is appropriate for teams, we need to describe what “traditional discussion” and “shared meaning” actually mean. In a traditional discussion people discuss to win; they heave ideas against each other to see whose ideas will be the strongest (Isaacs, 1994). In teams, communicating in this manner is a disaster. Teams need to experience shared vision and meaning in order to be high performing. They must able to establish a dialogue leading to a meaningful understanding of what the team is trying to accomplish. When you share the meaning of a task you possess the ability to move through obstacles more effectively and efficiently.

Senge (1994) terms the more proficient communication skill (where team members find a shared meaning) as skillful conversation. He pictures communication on a continuum beginning with raw debate (traditional discussion or conversation) to polite discussion to skillful discussion and then to dialogue. The difference between skillful discussion and dialogue is subtle. In skillful discussion the intention is to make a decision, identify actions, and act. In dialogue the intent is to explore and think creatively (Senge et. al., 1994).