7 Summary

Lack of skill in communication can hamper a team’s progress or prevent one team member from contributing effectively. This week you’ve learned that amongst the key workplace communication skills, the ability to give and receive good feedback and the ability to diagnose and avoid poor feedback are of primary importance.

Conflict is an almost inevitable part of a team’s life and while it must be dealt with, it should not be feared or avoided at all costs, as it may bring creative benefits.

Sooner or later, every team has to make its mind up about an important issue. Brainstorming is one of the most effective and popular ways in which teams arrive at decisions and you’ve considered some useful techniques to make the process more efficient.

You should now be able to:

• outline some of the key communication skills needed for teamwork
• consider how effective the communication skills have been in teams you have been part of
• understand how to give feedback effectively
• implement a range of tools used for brainstorming and decision making.

In Week 6, you will learn more about diversity in teams and the factors that are contributing to its increase. You will also find out why employers are coming to see increasing workplace diversity as a desirable goal.

You can now go to Week 6 [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .