Chapter 11: Group Communication
Learning Objectives
1. Define teamwork in professional settings.
2. Compare and contrast positive and negative team roles and behaviours in the workplace.
3. Discuss group strategies for solving problems.
4. Demonstrate best practices in delivering constructive criticism and bad news in person.
5. Plan and deliver short, organized spoken messages and oral reports tailored to specific audiences and purposes.
i. Use effective and engaging language and non-verbal behaviours.
ii. Use verbal and nonverbal techniques to enhance spoken messages.
Almost every posting for a job opening in a workplace location lists teamwork among the required skills. Why? Is it because every employer writing a job posting copies other job postings? No, it’s because every employer’s business success absolutely depends on people working well in teams to get the job done. A high-functioning, cohesive, and efficient team is essential to workplace productivity anywhere you have three or more people working together. Effective teamwork means working together toward a common goal guided by a common vision, and it’s a mighty force when firing on all cylinders. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” (Sommers & Dineen, 1984, p. 158).
