{"id":158,"date":"2020-02-26T21:35:49","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T02:35:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/provincialenglishabe\/chapter\/teamwork-and-leadership\/"},"modified":"2022-01-05T18:36:42","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T23:36:42","slug":"teamwork-and-leadership","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/provincialenglishabe\/chapter\/teamwork-and-leadership\/","title":{"raw":"Teamwork and Leadership","rendered":"Teamwork and Leadership"},"content":{"raw":"

Two important aspects of group communication\u2014especially in the business environment\u2014are teamwork and leadership. You will work in a team and at some point may be called on to lead. You may emerge to that role as the group recognizes your specific skill set in relation to the task, or you may be appointed to a position of responsibility for yourself and others. Your communication skills will be your foundation for success as a member and as a leader. Listen and seek to understand both the task and your group members as you become involved with the new effort. Have confidence in yourself and inspire the trust of others. Know that leading and following are both integral aspects of effective teamwork.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Teamwork<\/span><\/h1>\n

Teams<\/span> are a form of a group normally dedicated to production or problem solving. Teams can often achieve higher levels of performance than individuals because of the combined energies and talents of the members. Collaboration can produce motivation and creativity that may not be present in single-contractor projects. Individuals also have a sense of belonging to the group, and the range of views and diversity can energize the process, helping address creative blocks and stalemates. By involving members of the team in decision-making, and calling upon each member\u2019s area of contribution, teams can produce positive results.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_155\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"700\"]\"illustration Figure 45.1[\/caption]\n

Teamwork is not without its challenges. The work itself may prove a challenge as members juggle competing assignments and personal commitments. The work may also be compromised if team members are expected to conform and pressured to go along with a procedure, plan, or product that they themselves have not developed. Groupthink<\/span>, or the tendency to accept the group\u2019s ideas and actions in spite of individual concerns, can also compromise the process and reduce efficiency. Personalities and competition can play a role in a team\u2019s failure to produce.<\/span><\/p>\n

We can recognize that people want to belong to a successful team, and celebrating incremental gain can focus the attention on the project and its goals. Members will be more willing to express thoughts and opinions, and follow through with actions, when they perceive that they are an important part of the team. By failing to include all the team members, valuable insights may be lost in the rush to judgment or production. Making time for planning, and giving each member time to study, reflect, and contribute can allow them to gain valuable insights from each other, and may make them more likely to contribute information that challenges the status quo. Unconventional or \"devil\u2019s advocate\" thinking may prove insightful and serve to challenge the process in a positive way, improving the production of the team. Respect for divergent views can encourage open discussion.<\/span><\/p>\n

John Thill and Courtland Bovee\u00a0(2002) provide a valuable list to consider when setting up a team as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n\n