Being an effective communicator in a group or team is a vital part of any group project. The idea that “teamwork makes the dream work” is a phrase that always rings in my head when I get put into a new group for a project, and it’s true: teamwork truly does make the dream work. But how effective in our communication does each team member need to be to make the most out of a group project?
One of the most important things that one needs to keep in mind when starting a group project is to set a positive tone for the group. Positivity is a huge factor in the outcome of how people will work together as a team. Setting a positive tone at the beginning of a project will allow group members to communicate without negativity and create transparency within the group. Transparency is essential when part of a group; it allows members to counteract possible ideas that contribute to solutions and freely express their opinions without feeling discernment from other group members.
Encouraging and respecting team members’ ideas is another way to work and communicate with a team effectively. Encouraging team members to share their opinions allows for conversations that can lead to great ideas for a group project. Encouraging conversations within a team can promote that everyone’s opinions are accepted. It allows groups to develop better ideas than if the group had little to no communication.
Overall, to effectively work and communicate with a team, group members should be encouraging and respectful and allow for transparency. All of these things are vital for an effective team.