ationships and communication in a team deal with the way people communicate with one another. Both words and nonverbal clues can reflect how they feel about working with one another and can build or reduce the teams effectiveness. Good communication gives clear messages, which are conducive to people working productively and harmoniously, without misunderstanding and misinterpretation. As people on the team learn to take other members at face value, they build trust and credibility. To build and maintain a team, its members must be willing and able to communicate with one another in ways that reflects openness, trust, and respect. Generally, sharing information, providing feedback, and encouraging participation among all team members are the three key communication practices used by successful teams. Successful teams insist that team members willingly share timely information about developments occurring throughout the organization, except what is labeled confidential. It is considered bad form to withhold or ration information that could be useful to team members. Information is seen as empowering the group, not any one member. Feedback is serious business. Team members must provide each other with feedback about whether their performance enhances the teams performance or impedes it. Feedback should be given immediately and should be confined to behavior. When people give feedback to others about their emotions or opinions, it should be prefaced with Its my perception thatK or You impress me as feelingK Team members should never assume or label without checking to make sure their perceptions and analyses are correct. No one on a team is immune from receiving feedback. In fact, most people welcome feedback, even when it is critical, because they know it helps them develop more effective behavior. Feedback should not be delivered as a joke, which can contain hidden messages that make fun of someone. Team members should b...
