Team working and communication in academies

learning skills

1. FYA008-0 Skills for work and personal development

2. https://youtu.be/WqZoTIzwUUs

3. What are we doing today?

4. Recap

5. Effective communication skills when working in a team ‘Good communication is a 2-way process which requires effective listening and speaking ’ (Cottrell, 2019:178). What do we need to do to be an effective listener?: Be respectful and aware Focus attention on the speaker Consider their feelings Be encouraging Note down key points spoken Note how what the speaker is saying is relevant to you Note down positive comments about what is being said Ask questions Body language – smile, nod, lean forward when listening to someone, raise your hand if you wish to speak.

6. Effective speaking skills when working in a team Contribute and allow others to contribute too Ensure everyone has the opportunity to speak up Be prepared – know what you need to/are going to say Get to know your group in advance (if possible) – it helps to feel comfortable. Plan who is going to say what and when If you find it difficult start small even if you simply say yes or no to an idea or something someone else has said. Voices and accents are sometimes difficult to hear – focus on the content rather than the accent/voice. Body language – smile, don’t slouch. Silence: Is there an awkward silence? Has the conversation stagnated, have the group reached a stalemate? Or is the speaker simply allowing time for the audience to digest or reflect on the points they have made?

7. Pause: Take 10 minutes and answer the following questions:

8. Silence Resolving awkward silences in your team: Ask the group if they need clarity on anything that the group does not understand Break the tasks down into smaller more manageable chunks. Break large groups into smaller groups Allocate one small task to each small group Brainstorming the issue What does silence mean? Silence can mean different things to different people/in different cultures. For example, it can mean shock, awe, a way to avoid conflict, trying to find the right words. or it can mean respect – leaving space for someone to answer a question or simply allowing others time to digest a point that is being made

9. Pause

10. Failure to communicate in your group/team can lead to Issues in the workplace Not listening to others Not being respectful of cultural differences Awkwardness, lack of awareness of issues Unfair treatment Not acknowledging others/ignoring others Disagreement Subjective topics discussed can lead to disagreements, frustration, tears, distress, silence and even discrimination Discrimination can involve ethnicity, gender, appearance, age, disability and so on (Drew & Bingham 2010; Cottrell, 2019). All of these issues and more will impact on your ability to work effectively in a team or group. So how can we overcome these issues?

11. As a Higher Education student you belong to a community of individuals from diverse backgrounds and diverse cultures. You are expected to work with other students and to work collaboratively with them and your tutors (take a look at the Unit Information Form on BREO and see what it states about collaborative working). In the world of employment you will also be expected to work in a multicultural environment. You will need to show the skills and abilities that you have developed in working with people from other cultures in an effective and sensitive way. This is your opportunity to show your: knowledge of other cultures, experience of mixing with others (interpersonal skills) , attitudes towards others, understanding of intercultural matters and behaviours that allow you to communicate and interact with others (See Cottrell, 2019).

12. pause Spend the next 10 minutes thinking about what you could do to ensure that your team works and communicates well together.

13. How can you work effectively in a team and communicate well? Both Drew & Bingham (2010) & Cottrell (2019) suggest that we should be: self aware – What are your own cultural expectations, values and beliefs. For example if you are meeting a Japanese client they may bow to you but should you offer to shake their hand or bow back or neither? aware of the needs and sensitivities of others in your group– for example as the team manager would you arrange your group meeting around a member of your team who prays at specific times during the day? Or would you go ahead with a meeting without the individual? inclusive – be open to the views of others, understand and adapt your own ideas, beliefs. Share your perspective but look for common ground with those who differ Identify differences and do not force your ideas/beliefs/values on others. Be supportive – be aware of the feelings of others Be welcoming, helpful and constructive. Have clear boundaries agreed early on Have a clear agenda for meetings and regular progress checks Make decisions together as a group Communicate any issues early on and find solutions together Admit when you have made a mistake

14. pause Take 10 minutes to answer the following question: Why is it important to work effectively in a team and communicate well? Jot down as many answers as you can.

15. Why is this important? According to Cottrell (2019) and Drew and Bingham (2010) Understanding how to work effectively in a group and communicating well helps us to: Deal with difficult situations, challenges, and difficult people. Develop networks of contacts Builds on effective teamwork and communication Ensures everyone is treated fairly and justly. Everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential and feel listened to, Provides respect – for example how you communicate with your boss will be different to how you communicate with your friends and family – professionalism. It can help you to avoid making assumptions (both correct and incorrect assumptions) You can share your experiences and learn from others’ experiences You can be sensitive to language differences/different accents

16. As the workforce is becoming more global you will need to demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of international relations, connections, interactions, and communications. Employers want employees who are able to work within a diverse environment with a diverse client base with a diverse set of employees who may have different opinions, beliefs, morals and values to you. You will need to demonstrate your ability and willingness to work in a culturally diverse environment.

17. By building on all of the skills and abilities we have discussed today you can add Cultural Competency to your growing list of skills.

18. What have we learnt today? Revisited what we have learned in Skills for Higher Education regarding team working. Examples of effective communication skills when working in a team. Identified issues in the workplace that are caused by a failure to communicate. How you can work effectively in a team and communicate well. Why this is important for future employability.

19. References Cottrell, S. (2019) The Study Skills Handbook, 5 th Edition, London: Red Globe Press. Drew, S. & Bingham, R. (2010) The Guide to Learning and Study Skills for Higher Education and at Work, Surrey: Gower Publishing Limited. Tuckman (1965) Developmental sequence in small groups, Psychological Bulletin, 63 (2):384-399. Moore et al (2010) The Ultimate Study Skills Handbook, Berkshire: Open University Press.