The Value of Conversation
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Co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory
"These people are just making it so difficult," said my friend.
We had met for coffee the previous week to catch up, and she was telling me about some challenges she was facing at work.
"Everyone wants a voice, everyone wants to be involved, and everyone wants to be 'in the know.' So we have meeting after meeting, and nothing seems to get done."
"Ah, one of the fundamental challenges of teamwork," I replied.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"The problem with teamwork is that it's W.O.R.K.," I responded, and we both smiled.
Effective teams don't happen overnight. In the beginning, they are collections of individuals, each bringing their own expertise, opinions, experiences, and aspirations. With focused attention on communication, however, those individuals can develop into a cohesive, high-functioning team.
But what kind of communication makes the difference? Interestingly, one of the keys to building effective teams is something remarkably simple: meaningful conversation. And research helps explain why.
What Research Reveals About Effective Team Communication
In 2012, Alex "Sandy" Pentland, then director of MIT's Human Dynamics Laboratory, published research in Harvard Business Review examining communication patterns within successful teams. His findings highlighted several behaviors associated with effective teamwork:
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Communicate frequently.
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Talk and listen in equal measure, equally among members.
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Engage in frequent informal communication.
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Explore for ideas and information outside the group.
For more information, read Alex "Sandy" Pentland's Harvard Business Review article, The Hard Science of Teamwork.
Turning Meetings Into Meaningful Conversations
So what does this mean for my friend? Frequent meetings at the beginning of a project aren't necessarily a problem. In fact, they can help team members establish relationships, exchange perspectives, and develop a shared understanding of what needs to be accomplished.
The real W.O.R.K. of teamwork lies in guiding those conversations so they have purpose. Are team members listening to one another? Is everyone contributing? Are ideas being explored, questions being answered, and decisions being made?
When meetings become opportunities for genuine conversation rather than simply another obligation on the calendar, teams can begin to develop the trust, understanding, and communication patterns that make collaboration possible.
How might you create more meaningful conversations in your own work routine?
Please share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section below.
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About Lynda-Ross
Lynda-Ross Vega is a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd. She specializes in helping corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals with interpersonal communications, team dynamics, personal development, and navigating change. Lynda-Ross is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary behavioral psychology theory and assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their natural strengths and build the life and career they dream of.
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