Team Communication
Introduction
Team communication is the interaction that takes place between the members of a work group. Effective team communication is vital to the success of the group in playing its role as well as to the morale and work enjoyment of its members.
Advantages of team communication
Advantage 1: Increases productivity
Members are continuously looking for efficiency or productivity gains as a source of competitive advantage. Teams, especially those that are close to the point of delivery can identify what needs to change to boost productivity better than any group of senior managers could ever hope to. Let the team focus on productivity and the organisation gains.
Advantage 2: Improves communication skills
For teams to succeed they need to be able to get their messages across, listen effectively to other points of view and build on ideas. As a result of being on the team, people are getting the opportunity to develop and improve their communication skills.
Advantage 3: Diversity of skills
Some people in work thrive in dealing with the big picture stuff. Others get their kick from getting immersed in the detail. There will be others who thrive on idea generation and others who love to take something from concept to finished article. This diverse range of people skills and working together have the potential to deliver a much better solution than any one individual could ever hope to do.
Advantage 4: Improved problem solving
Think about a time when you had a problem that you needed to solve. You probably get so far and then end up getting stuck because of your own range of experience or knowledge. When you have access to the wider range of skills and knowledge you ultimately solve problems faster and better.
Advantage 5: Process improvement
Few business processes operate in isolation just within one area of the organisation. They tend to cross functions and even geographical boundaries. A team with insights of different parts of the process will clearly be better placed to make successful process improvements.
Advantage 6: Smarter use of resources
When a team has focus on getting a specific result, chances are they will find creative ways of using the resources at their disposal rather than focusing on the constraints.
Disadvantages of team communication
Conflict is one disadvantage of communication. Employees may use communication to disagree and argue with each other and with management. Conflict causes tension among employees and can halt operations, disrupt meetings and prevent task completion. Sources of conflict include employees feeling that their needs are not being met, lack of structure, lack of transparent communication and personality differences. Organizational leaders also use communication to mediate and control conflict to lessen the effects of employee disagreements.
Conclusion
Working together has many benefits, including the possibility to create new friendships, a sense of group accomplishment and distribution of responsibilities. Conversely, teamwork also may cause tension and anxiety among employees because of poor communication. Effective communication can eliminate much of the stress and negative feelings sometimes associated with working nearly as a team. Employer should encourage their employees to communicate with one another clearly when working together. This is especially important for smaller companies, whose employees often must work closely with one another.
Team communication is the interaction that takes place between the members of a work group. Effective team communication is vital to the success of the group in playing its role as well as to the morale and work enjoyment of its members.
Advantages of team communication
Advantage 1: Increases productivity
Members are continuously looking for efficiency or productivity gains as a source of competitive advantage. Teams, especially those that are close to the point of delivery can identify what needs to change to boost productivity better than any group of senior managers could ever hope to. Let the team focus on productivity and the organisation gains.
Advantage 2: Improves communication skills
For teams to succeed they need to be able to get their messages across, listen effectively to other points of view and build on ideas. As a result of being on the team, people are getting the opportunity to develop and improve their communication skills.
Advantage 3: Diversity of skills
Some people in work thrive in dealing with the big picture stuff. Others get their kick from getting immersed in the detail. There will be others who thrive on idea generation and others who love to take something from concept to finished article. This diverse range of people skills and working together have the potential to deliver a much better solution than any one individual could ever hope to do.
Advantage 4: Improved problem solving
Think about a time when you had a problem that you needed to solve. You probably get so far and then end up getting stuck because of your own range of experience or knowledge. When you have access to the wider range of skills and knowledge you ultimately solve problems faster and better.
Advantage 5: Process improvement
Few business processes operate in isolation just within one area of the organisation. They tend to cross functions and even geographical boundaries. A team with insights of different parts of the process will clearly be better placed to make successful process improvements.
Advantage 6: Smarter use of resources
When a team has focus on getting a specific result, chances are they will find creative ways of using the resources at their disposal rather than focusing on the constraints.
Disadvantages of team communication
Conflict is one disadvantage of communication. Employees may use communication to disagree and argue with each other and with management. Conflict causes tension among employees and can halt operations, disrupt meetings and prevent task completion. Sources of conflict include employees feeling that their needs are not being met, lack of structure, lack of transparent communication and personality differences. Organizational leaders also use communication to mediate and control conflict to lessen the effects of employee disagreements.
Conclusion
Working together has many benefits, including the possibility to create new friendships, a sense of group accomplishment and distribution of responsibilities. Conversely, teamwork also may cause tension and anxiety among employees because of poor communication. Effective communication can eliminate much of the stress and negative feelings sometimes associated with working nearly as a team. Employer should encourage their employees to communicate with one another clearly when working together. This is especially important for smaller companies, whose employees often must work closely with one another.
(Career Success For Accountants, 2015)