Over the next few Saturdays we are going to take a look at different teamwork skills in focus. Exceptional teams don't usually emerge as exceptional. They develop over time skills in different areas.
The first area we are going to look at is Listening. In a team context listening is of utmost importance - it's listening on mutliple levels. Listening to what the other team member is saying, and also listening for how it connects with your work. Listening is also hearing the emotional and requests behind the words. When teams are in conflict, there is usually a request behind each complaint that exists.
In listening we want to listen o n multiple levels:
1. To the words that are being shared. This in fact only comprises about 8% of the message.
2. To the tone, pace and pitch of the statement - what do you notice about the energy and impact of how the words are being spoken? This comprises more than 30% of the message.
3. To the body language. What do you notice about the person's gestures? How they are standing? What does their body language say about how open or closed they are? Body language comprises about 55% of the message when we are in face to face settings.
One of the challenges with team communication today is that so much is done by instant messaging or text in which we have no tone or body language to help make sense of what the words really mean. The impact of this means that words and the way they are interpreted are heavily influenced by the levels of trust and connection that exist within the team. You may be interested in checking out these two posts for boosting trust and connection in your virtual teams:
Teams365 #258: Create Connection within Your Virtual Team. Read it here.
Teams365 #610: Four Ways to Build trust in your team.
There are some past posts I've written on listening, which is also a paramount skill in coaching. Take a look at these past posts related to listening:
Teams365 #914: The Foundations of TeamWork - Listening - Read it here
Teams365 #192: Listening And Coaching as A Leader. Read it here
Have a great Saturday,
Jennifer
The first area we are going to look at is Listening. In a team context listening is of utmost importance - it's listening on mutliple levels. Listening to what the other team member is saying, and also listening for how it connects with your work. Listening is also hearing the emotional and requests behind the words. When teams are in conflict, there is usually a request behind each complaint that exists.
In listening we want to listen o n multiple levels:
1. To the words that are being shared. This in fact only comprises about 8% of the message.
2. To the tone, pace and pitch of the statement - what do you notice about the energy and impact of how the words are being spoken? This comprises more than 30% of the message.
3. To the body language. What do you notice about the person's gestures? How they are standing? What does their body language say about how open or closed they are? Body language comprises about 55% of the message when we are in face to face settings.
One of the challenges with team communication today is that so much is done by instant messaging or text in which we have no tone or body language to help make sense of what the words really mean. The impact of this means that words and the way they are interpreted are heavily influenced by the levels of trust and connection that exist within the team. You may be interested in checking out these two posts for boosting trust and connection in your virtual teams:
Teams365 #258: Create Connection within Your Virtual Team. Read it here.
Teams365 #610: Four Ways to Build trust in your team.
There are some past posts I've written on listening, which is also a paramount skill in coaching. Take a look at these past posts related to listening:
Teams365 #914: The Foundations of TeamWork - Listening - Read it here
Teams365 #192: Listening And Coaching as A Leader. Read it here
Have a great Saturday,
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Contact us to set up a time to discuss leadership, teamwork and coaching needs for your team or organization
(416)996-8326
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Contact us to set up a time to discuss leadership, teamwork and coaching needs for your team or organization
(416)996-8326
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