Workplace Communication (WkComm)

AY 2022/2023 Oct Semester

STUDENT NOTES: TEAM COMMUNICATION PROJECT

CONTENTS PAGE

Content Areas Page No

Characteristics of Effective Teams & Elements of Good Team Communication 2

Team Communication Project 3

Samples 4–6

 Problem Scenario
 Role Play Script

Summary – Record of selected problematic dialogue for all group members 7

Self-directed Learning (SDL) Form 8–9

Resources 10 – 11

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 Workplace Communication (WkComm)
AY 2022/2023 Oct Semester

CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE TEAMS & ELEMENTS OF GOOD

TEAM COMMUNICATION

Effective teams need to work well together and team cohesiveness depends on building
strong relationships among team members. Communication is critical, and is driven by
the team leader, who will work with the team to establish ground rules to bring the team
together so that it can accomplish its goals.

Quite often, teams that communicate effectively will display features such as good
organization, tone, clarity, style, language use and feedback. Good team
communication helps members to understand their roles and responsibilities within their
team. Another element of good communication is active listening. Strong team
communication teaches people how to listen and speak respectfully in a group setting. To
foster communication among team members, allow open communication and encourage
respect for each team member's opinion. Learning these skills well will impact all aspects of
your project work when collaborating with group members from different backgrounds.

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 Workplace Communication (WkComm)
AY 2022/2023 Oct Semester

TEAM COMMUNICATION PROJECT (Individual, 30%)

The assessment comprises 4 parts:

 
(Part A): Each group member to select one example of a problematic dialogue from
the assigned case study. (Include Problematic Dialogue in Every Slide)
(Part B): Explain how the problematic dialogue hinders team communication. (*Focus
only on verbal communication)
(Part C): Use 1st strategy to re-write the dialogue to elicit a positive outcome or to
resolve the conflict. Explain how the revised dialogue enhances team communication.
(Part D): Use 2nd strategy to re-write the dialogue to elicit a positive outcome or to
resolve the conflict. Explain how the revised dialogue enhances team communication.

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 Workplace Communication (WkComm)
AY 2022/2023 Oct Semester

SAMPLE PROBLEM SCENARIO

(for the video for the LMS Quiz on Causes of Conflicts & Strategies to Resolve them)

PROBLEM SCENARIO – TEAM CONFLICT 5 W’s & 1 H

“THE FEELING IS MUTUAL! DON’T THINK YOU
ARE SO SMART!”

Stacy, Cheryl, Glen and Tiffany are team members working together on Who are the
a group project. Stacy has self-appointed herself as the project leader. characters?

She believes that based on her capability and track record, she should
assume the leadership position. This would ensure that she is in control
of the team; therefore, increasing her chances of acing the project. She
prefers to do things on her own and finds working in teams out of her
comfort zone.

Why & What

On the other hand, Cheryl, Glen and Tiffany favour working together and happened?
making all decisions collectively. They find Stacy’s style of leadership
intimidating and overbearing. They refuse to cooperate with Stacy and
have not submitted the analyses of the sections that she has requested.
Stacy is frustrated, as she has been giving repeat reminders about this
submission. She calls for an urgent meeting to discuss the non-
submission of work on 29 April 2022, at 11am. They meet in the CCA When &
Club room. Where?

The meeting turns nasty as Stacy disses her team members and accuses
them of being ungrateful, irresponsible and uncooperative. In contrast, the How did it
end?
team members explain why they are unhappy with her. They also make it
clear that they do not wish to work with her anymore.

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 Workplace Communication (WkComm)
AY 2022/2023 Oct Semester

SAMPLE ROLE PLAY SCRIPT

(for the video for the LMS Quiz on Causes of Conflicts & Strategies to Resolve them)

“THE FEELING IS MUTUAL! DON’T THINK YOU ARE SO SMART!”

TEAM
COMMUNICATION
CONCEPTS USED
(with examples from
text)

Stacy:
- Aggressive
Communication Style
(‘Where are they?’)

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 Narrator: Stacy, the project leader calls for an urgent meeting with her team
members, Glen, Tiffany and Cheryl to discuss non-submission of work.
Characters Non-verbal cues Verbal communication Workplace Communication (WkComm)
AY 2022/2023 Oct Semester

“You” Language -
Stacy: (Looks serious and irritated) I had to call for an urgent meeting accusatory (‘So you
today because none of you answered my WhatsApp phone calls or are the only one… As
messages. a leader shouldn’t you
Example of problematic dialogue give us feedback…
You prefer…’)

Cheryl: Yah, what do you want? Make it fast! We got other projects to do.
Can’t waste time talking to you! (Rolls her eyes, folds her arms and
states in a stern tone…)

Example of non-verbal communication error Name calling /

blaming (‘losers’)
Stacy: Cheryl, Glen and Tiffany, I asked you to submit the problem analyses
from Sections A to C. Where are they? When do you want me to check your Lack of Tact
work? (Angry, frustrated tone; looks stressed; there is much tension in
the project meeting room)

Glen: We will give it to you next week! (Looks away and states as a
matter-of-fact)

Stacy: What? Next week? Are you mad? The project presentation is this
Friday! What’s wrong with you? Never check the project schedule, right?
What can I expect from you? I am so sick and tired of having to chase you
guys! (Speaks aggressively and is utterly exasperated)

Tiffany: Hey listen Stacy, do you want to know the truth? We don’t wish to
submit our analyses to you. (Looks annoyed, places her hands on her
hips)

Narrator: Stacy can’t believe that her team members appear to be so

relaxed about the timeline for the project presentation. She disses and
accuses them of being irresponsible.

Stacy: How can you say this? I spent so many hours vetting your work and
making sure it meets all the project requirements. I can’t ace this project
without your parts. I need to increase my GPA. (Looks at all the team
members in an accusatory manner and glares at them; uses index
finger to point at each of them)

Narrator: All the team members react strongly and negatively.

Glen: Exactly! That IS the problem! You only care for yourself. You have
changed all our work, that it is not even our work anymore. It has become
your work. (Uses sarcastic tone)

Tiffany: So you are the only one with feelings huh? How do you think we all
feel? As a leader shouldn’t you give us feedback first before changing every
single sentence? We only recognize the full stops and commas! You prefer
doing it your way without even consulting us. So, we decided not to send
you our analyses at all. Since you are so smart right, you can do it yourself!
You don’t need our inputs! (Speaks angrily, without mincing her words)

Stacy: (Sighs loudly and raises her voice) Listen, I’ve always worked with 6
team members who are hardworking, diligent and independent. This is the
first time that I have to work with a bunch of “losers”. (Looks firmly at the
team members; states opinion pointedly)
 Workplace Communication (WkComm)
AY 2022/2023 Oct Semester

SUMMARY: RECORD OF SELECTED PROBLEMATIC DIALOGUES

Group Leaders: Please ensure that there is no overlap of selected problematic dialogues
among the group members.

Case Study No: ________

INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION (state selected problematic dialogue)

Student 1
Name:

Dialogue chosen:

Student 2
Name:

Dialogue chosen:

Student 3
Name:

Dialogue chosen:

Student 4:
Name:

Dialogue chosen:

Student 5:
Name:

Dialogue chosen:

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 Workplace Communication (WkComm)
AY 2022/2023 Oct Semester

Name: ________________________( ) Class: ________

MY SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING (SDL) FORM − TEAM COMMUNICATION

1. Planning my project
Tick when completed
a) I need to refer to the assigned case study, and select one example of a problematic
dialogue from the assigned case study by_________(date).

b) I need to explain how the selected problematic dialogue hinders team

communication. (There should be no overlap of problematic dialogue with my other
group mates.) (*Focus only on verbal communication, not on non-verbal
communication)

c) I need to consider using two different strategies to re-write the dialogue to elicit a
positive outcome or to resolve the conflict.

d) I need to consider explaining how both the revised dialogues enhance team
communication. (There should be one explanation provided for each strategy/rule in
(c). )

e) I need to complete the Team Comm Resources Quiz by__________(date).

2. Performing my tasks

a) I have located the PowerPoint file on - “Resources − Team Communication”.

b) I have mostly understood the “Resources − Team Communication” provided in the

slides & video links.

c) I have completed the Team Comm Resources Quiz.

d) I have selected ONE example of a problematic dialogue from the assigned case
study. (I have ensured there is no overlap with my group mates.)

3. Monitoring the completion of my tasks

a) I have fulfilled the requirements for the 4 parts for my individual presentation.

b) I have referred to the PowerPoint Slides – “Tips for Effective Oral Presentation”.

c) I have prepared my presentation slides for my individual presentation.

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d) I have rehearsed my 3-minute presentation and recorded my final presentation in

MP4 format.

4. Reflecting on my learning

I have reflected on my experience in completing the Team Communication

Project.

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 Workplace Communication (WkComm)
AY 2022/2023 Oct Semester

READING LIST

BOOKS

Buller, D. B., & Burgoon, J. K. (1994). Deception: Strategic and nonstrategic communication
In J. A. Daly & J. M. Wiemann (Eds.), Strategic interpersonal communication (pp. 191-223).
Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Casimir, M. J. (2008). Culture and the changing environment. New York: Berghahn Books.

De Bono, E. (1985), Six thinking hats: An essential approach to business management.

London: Penguin.

Diamond, L. E. (2007). Perfect phrases for building strong teams. New York, NY: McGraw-
Hill

Eunson, B. (2015). Communicating in the 21st Century (C21) (2nd ed.). Australia: John
Wiley & Sons.

Fisher-Yoshida, B & Geller, K. D. (2009). Transnational leadership development: preparing

the next generation for a borderless business world. New York: Amacom.

Gannon, M. J. & Pillai, R. (2010). Understanding global culture: metaphorical journeys

through 29 nations. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.

Goodall, H. L., Jr. (1983). Human communication. Dubuque, IA: William C.

Harris, T. E. & Sherblom, J. C. (2011). Small group and team communication (5th ed.).
Boston, USA: Pearson.

Hodgetts, R. M. & Hegar, K. W. (2005), Modern human relations at work (9th ed). Mason:
Thomson/South Western.

Jandt, F.E. (2007). An introduction to intercultural communication – identities in a global

community (5th ed.). California: Sage Publications

Livermore, D. A. (2010).Leading with cultural intelligence: the new secret to success. New
York: Amacom.

Lustiq, M. W. & Koester, J. (2010) Intercultural competence: interpersonal communication

across cultures. Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon. Boston.

Mottet,T.P.,Bauer,S.V., & Houser, M. L.(2012). Your interpersonal communication. New

Jersey: Pearsan Education.

Murphy, M. (2015). Which of these 4 communication styles are you? Retrieved from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/markmurphy/2015/08/06/which-of-these-4-
communication-styles-are-you/#6332a5563adb

Phatak, A. & Bhagat, R. & Kaslak, R. J. (2009).International management: managing a

diverse and dynamic global environment. Massachusetts,Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin.
2009.

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Punnet, B. J. International perspectives on organizational behavior and human resource

management. Armonk. New York: 2009.

Remland, M.S. & Jones, T.S. (2005). Interpersonal distance, body orientation, and touch:
The effect of culture, gender and age. Journal of Social Psychology,135, 281-297.

Reynolds, S. and Valentine, D. (2011). 2nd ed. Guide to cross-cultural communication. New
Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Scannell, M. & Scannell, E. E. (2010). The big book of team motivating games. USA:
McGraw-Hill.

Whitcomb, A.C.(2013).Effective interpersonal and team communication skills for engineers.

New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Inc.

VIDEOS

Body language: cultural differences. (2007). New York: Insight Media

Body language: an international view. (2006). Davis, California: The Seabright Group.

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