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Chapter 56 COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY TO GREAT TEAMWORK Most of what goes on in the workplace takes place in teams. Lots of really smart or talented people don’t succeed in the workplace because they are either unable or unwilling to work in teams. Usually, these people have weak interpersonal communication skills. Unless you are some sort of computer whiz, natural-born artist, or Tiger Woods, your success is too complex for you to succeed alone. Just like in kindergarten, we must be able to work and play well with others. First, you can’t be an effective team player if you aren’t a good communicator . I don’t mean simply being a “good talker.” Some good talkers are the worst team players. Often, that’s because they’re terrible listeners. Team members need to listen to each other in order to succeed. Plus, I still believe in the old saying,“actions speak louder than words!” Some of the characteristics of a really great team include: being clear on exactly what the team’s goal is; team members knowing their role and how that role relates to the overall success of the team; team members having the tools necessary to fulfill their roles on the team; an open, supportive, collegial environment that encourages candid day-today dialogue regarding the team’s challenges, opportunities, and obstacles ; and team members being willing to take risks and propose new ideas without fear of reprisal. There are some other characteristics great teams have, like trusting each other and taking each other and each others’ comments at face value; an all-for-one-and-one for-all mentality in which team members jump in to help each other in a time of need. The key is to do this without keeping score of who’s doing what for whom. The most productive and healthy teams have members who talk to each other in a civil and respectful manner. Feedback is encouraged and welcomed, and is always done in a constructive, positive fashion. One more characteristic that great teams have is that any team member can step up and become a situational leader at any given time. Flexibility in the team structure and dynamic is critical for success. At Work 119 When you think about it, none of this can be achieved without excellent communication among team members. The bottom line is that every great team needs one primary leader setting the tone and fostering an environment for team members to reach their individual potential and for the team overall to succeed. It’s not by accident that the greatest leaders are often excellent communicators. Again, that doesn’t just mean being a great talker. Chapter 57 WORKPLACE DEBATING 101 Debating skills are critical to any professional who seeks to persuade workplace colleagues on important projects or initiatives. With this in mind, consider some tools that will help you in meetings, boardrooms, or any professional situation where debating skills are needed. • Plan but don’t cram. Of course you must know your subject matter, but too often people cram so much data into their head that by the time they are asked to argue their point of view, they are on information overload. • Unlike high school or college forensics, debates aren’t really about how much you know on a given topic. Instead, they are about how much conviction you have about the two or three main points you are communicating. If your audience believes you believe, you have a big debating edge. • Have a plan but be flexible. Communicating key messages is critical, but sometimes in these public exchanges, opportunities arise that great communicators must seize. Being disciplined is not the same as being inflexible. So keep your eyes and your mind open. • Your tone of voice matters. Be strong and confident when debating a colleague, but there is no reason to yell. Raising your 120 MAKE THE CONNECTION ...

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