Manage Team Process

Small Group Dynamics and Team Building

How communication works

While there are many process functions in teams, three stand out as particularly important – maximizing participation, managing influence styles, and handling conflict.  All three of these require a core skill --- listening.  Listening includes giving your undivided attention to others as they speak and not thinking about what you will say when it is your turn to talk.  It is also taking the time to check that you agree that what they said is what you heard.  Paraphrasing their comments, asking clarifying questions, and giving individuals credit for the contributions verbally in the group all demonstrate effective listening skill.  You must be a skilled listener to manage the other three functions.

 Participation.   When participation is low or uneven, you might clarify points that fell through the cracks, reinforce someone's point by asking for more information, or ask silent people to speak. The dialogue process -- where everyone goes around and gets to have their say without interruption (you all listen without commenting) -- often helps to make participation more even.  Planning meetings and sharing agenda items with people beforehand may also increase participation from quiet, introverted, or more deliberate group members. 

 Uneven-unfair influence. When influence is uneven or unfair, you might support or reinforce the "weaker" views, or you might point out dominating-controlling behavior, or you might suggest that the group open the discussion to hear from more people.