Interpersonal Relationships Interpersonal Relationships within a within a

Teamwork SettingTeamwork SettingUniversity of Phoenix University of Phoenix

Patrick PhillipsAngela LyonsMarianna Kiva

Gail KahlerTammi Ledbetter

Marianna Kiva

Understanding Group Dynamics

““The motto should not be: “Forgive one another; rather understand one another.”(Goldman, E. 1917.p7)

• If anyone is able to get to the core of another individual, they will find that

individual to be trustworthy and a positive person.

• Given a chance, people move towards a pro-social and constructive behaviors.• Understanding alone is not sufficient to achieve changes within a group’s

culture. It must be a special kind of understanding:

ACCURATE ,EMPHATIC UNDERSTANDING

It leads to : re-think a situation, have a change of heart as we come to understand what formerly seemed odd, strange, unknown, and different.

Marianna Kiva

10 guidelines for understanding group 10 guidelines for understanding group dynamicsdynamics

““When we can communicate realness, caring, and non -judgmental understanding, significant changes are most likely to occur.”

( Corey, G. 2001, p. 173)

• Unconditional positive regard

• Believe that not everything is intentional

• Trust that everybody will move forward

• Groups must function “in the here and now” to attend to all issues

• Each member of the group must understand the subjective world of another person

Marianna Kiva

• Engage in meaningful self-Engage in meaningful self-explorationsexplorations

• “…“…Individual has the Individual has the inherent capacity to move inherent capacity to move away from away from maladjustment…” …” Gerald, Corey, (2001)Gerald, Corey, (2001)

• Move into constructive Move into constructive directions as part of the directions as part of the groupgroup

• Not everything is about one Not everything is about one personperson

• Find something to connect Find something to connect with ,to all members of the with ,to all members of the groupgroup

Interpersonal Relationships Interpersonal Relationships Begin with ListeningBegin with Listening

• Hearing vs. Hearing vs. Listening and Listening and UnderstandingUnderstanding

• The average The average Listening efficiency Listening efficiency is 25%is 25%

• Make the most of Make the most of every opportunity every opportunity to gain informationto gain information

• Use Conscious and Use Conscious and Empathetic Empathetic ListeningListening

Gail Kahler

• Focus. Listen. Focus. Listen. Connect.Connect.

Durkin, D. (Apr 2006).

Total Communication

Reading 15% Listening 40%

Writing 9%

Talking 35%

10 Guidelines for Improving 10 Guidelines for Improving Listening SkillsListening Skills

• The goal is to understand and avoid misinterpretationThe goal is to understand and avoid misinterpretation• Minimize interruptions and distractions (cell phones)Minimize interruptions and distractions (cell phones)• Be an active listener: reciprocate with verbal and non-verbal responsesBe an active listener: reciprocate with verbal and non-verbal responses• Listen for the speaker’s motives, needs and wantsListen for the speaker’s motives, needs and wants• Listen for the speaker’s verbal and non-verbal messagesListen for the speaker’s verbal and non-verbal messages• Be aware of “paralanguage”: volume, tone, pace, use of pauses and silenceBe aware of “paralanguage”: volume, tone, pace, use of pauses and silence• Maintain a relaxed and interested posture and make eye contactMaintain a relaxed and interested posture and make eye contact• Reflect on content by asking questions and paraphrasing to check Reflect on content by asking questions and paraphrasing to check

understanding, especially with someone from another cultureunderstanding, especially with someone from another culture• Interrupt as little as possibleInterrupt as little as possible• Avoid finishing the speaker’s sentencesAvoid finishing the speaker’s sentences

(Lam, 2000)(Lam, 2000)

Gail KahlerGail Kahler

RespondingResponding

• Responding to an individual is Responding to an individual is how you communicate your how you communicate your thoughts and feelings. People thoughts and feelings. People communicate or respond in communicate or respond in many different ways. When many different ways. When responding or communicating it responding or communicating it is necessary to be aware of your is necessary to be aware of your body language, tone of voice, body language, tone of voice, verbal language, and the verbal language, and the purpose. In order to respond purpose. In order to respond effectively; listening, respecting, effectively; listening, respecting, accepting, and understanding accepting, and understanding should be in place. should be in place.

Tone of Tone of VoiceVoice

Language / Language / VocabularyVocabulary

Body LanguageBody Language

The PurposeThe Purpose

Be aware of these qualities when

responding

Tammi Ledbetter

10 things to keep in mind when 10 things to keep in mind when RESPONDING.RESPONDING.

• Have a purpose. Ask yourself, Have a purpose. Ask yourself, “What message do I want to convey”“What message do I want to convey”• Know who you are responding to. Who is your audience?Know who you are responding to. Who is your audience?• If time permits prepare your response. Think before you speak. If time permits prepare your response. Think before you speak. • Demonstrate attentive listening (Gibbs, 2001, p.74), do not do all Demonstrate attentive listening (Gibbs, 2001, p.74), do not do all

of the talkingof the talking• The vocabulary you use should be friendly for the audience.The vocabulary you use should be friendly for the audience.• Your body language should be appropriate. Your body language should be appropriate. • Your tone of voice should help deliver your message.Your tone of voice should help deliver your message.• Show mutual respect (Gibbs, 2001, p.74)to your audience.Show mutual respect (Gibbs, 2001, p.74)to your audience.• Have an understanding of where your audience is coming from.Have an understanding of where your audience is coming from.• Take a risk, but accept that everyone is different and might Take a risk, but accept that everyone is different and might

interpret your response different. interpret your response different.

Tammi Ledbetter

Where is RESPECT in teamwork?Where is RESPECT in teamwork?

• Teamwork represents a set of values Teamwork represents a set of values that encourage behaviors such as that encourage behaviors such as

listening and constructively listening and constructively responding to points of view responding to points of view

expressed by others, giving others the expressed by others, giving others the benefit of the doubt, providing benefit of the doubt, providing

support to those who need it, and support to those who need it, and recognizing the interests and recognizing the interests and

achievements of others.achievements of others. -Katzenbach & Smith -Katzenbach & Smith

Angela Lyons

10 guidelines for building respect in teams10 guidelines for building respect in teams

• Take all teammates’ opinions into considerationTake all teammates’ opinions into consideration• Be open to various points of view; and try to Be open to various points of view; and try to

understand themunderstand them• Keep lines of communication openKeep lines of communication open• Build teammates up instead of tearing them downBuild teammates up instead of tearing them down• Do not pressure other teammates Do not pressure other teammates • Avoid last minute changes and surprisesAvoid last minute changes and surprises• Don’t worry over minor infractionsDon’t worry over minor infractions• Do your best to understand as much as to be Do your best to understand as much as to be

understood understood • Show consideration for people speaking (writing)Show consideration for people speaking (writing)• Give credit towards individuality and diversity of Give credit towards individuality and diversity of

contributions contributions

Angela Lyons

10 things to keep in mind when 10 things to keep in mind when RESPONDING.RESPONDING.

• Have a purpose. Ask yourself, Have a purpose. Ask yourself, “What message do I want to convey”“What message do I want to convey”• Know who you are responding to. Who is your audience?Know who you are responding to. Who is your audience?• If time permits prepare your response. Think before you speak. If time permits prepare your response. Think before you speak. • Demonstrate attentive listening (Gibbs, 2001, p.74), do not do all Demonstrate attentive listening (Gibbs, 2001, p.74), do not do all

of the talkingof the talking• The vocabulary you use should be friendly for the audience.The vocabulary you use should be friendly for the audience.• Your body language should be appropriate. Your body language should be appropriate. • Your tone of voice should help deliver your message.Your tone of voice should help deliver your message.• Show mutual respect (Gibbs, 2001, p.74)to your audience.Show mutual respect (Gibbs, 2001, p.74)to your audience.• Have an understanding of where your audience is coming from.Have an understanding of where your audience is coming from.• Take a risk, but accept that everyone is different and might Take a risk, but accept that everyone is different and might

interpret your response different. interpret your response different.

Tammi Ledbetter

TEAMWORK and ACCEPTANCETEAMWORK and ACCEPTANCE ““But even this wailing recrimination,” said Omar, / “is just another shape for But even this wailing recrimination,” said Omar, / “is just another shape for

enclosure, another joint / on the reed. Pierce the segments and be hollow, / enclosure, another joint / on the reed. Pierce the segments and be hollow, / with perforated walls, so flute music can happen.” (Rumi, trans. 1995, p. 120)with perforated walls, so flute music can happen.” (Rumi, trans. 1995, p. 120)

The Sufi poet, Rumi, used a flute as a metaphor for acceptance. A blocked reed cannot produce music. With its inner walls intact, a reed does not let air flow through it to be shaped and molded into sound – it produces nothing. In team discussions, quibbling over trivialities or resistance to new ideas stifle the voice of the team. Members of a team should break down the walls of resistance within themselves in order to let the ideas and general will of the team flow through them. Only then will each member be able to able to shape the discussion and contribute their own unique sound to the concert.

Patrick Phillips

10 Ways to Practice Acceptance in 10 Ways to Practice Acceptance in TeamsTeams

• Accept responsibility for actions and words – careless deeds can adversely impact Accept responsibility for actions and words – careless deeds can adversely impact the unity of a team.the unity of a team.

• Accept the different roles within the team – everyone has strengths; good teams Accept the different roles within the team – everyone has strengths; good teams assign tasks accordinglyassign tasks accordingly

• Accept the suggestions of others – constructive opinions help both teams and Accept the suggestions of others – constructive opinions help both teams and individuals growindividuals grow

• Accept the leadership of othersAccept the leadership of others• Accept that all team members will sometimes have to assume leadershipAccept that all team members will sometimes have to assume leadership• Accept the team’s goals – they are necessary in order to clear up confusion about a Accept the team’s goals – they are necessary in order to clear up confusion about a

team’s purposeteam’s purpose• Accept the team’s strategy/plan – goals cannot be reached by wishing alone; a good Accept the team’s strategy/plan – goals cannot be reached by wishing alone; a good

team works together to achieve resultsteam works together to achieve results• Accept the team’s rules – necessary for teams to overcome obstacles and follow Accept the team’s rules – necessary for teams to overcome obstacles and follow

the plans they setthe plans they set• Accept one’s limitationsAccept one’s limitations• Accept help from othersAccept help from others• Accept differences of opinionsAccept differences of opinions Patrick Phillips

ConclusionConclusion Successful interpersonal relationships within a teamwork setting, base their

interactions on listening, accepting, respecting, understanding, and responding to every member of the team.

Ongoing positive learning experiences will result from maintaining interest and enthusiasm for all members on the team.

Marianna Kiva

Patrick Phillips

Marianna Kiva

Gail KahlerTammi Ledbetter

Angela Lyons

ReferencesReferencesCorey, G. (2001). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Stamford, CT:Thomas Learning.

Durkin, D. (Apr 2006). Build customer loyalty. Sales & Service Excellence, 6(4), 9-9. Retrieved June 11,2006, from the EBSCO database. 

 Gibbs, J. (2001). Tribes a new way of learning and being together. California: CenterSource Systems, LLC.

Goldman, E. ( 1917) Anarchism and other essays. New York: Mother Earth Publishing Association.

HeartMath LLC 2006, Quotes of the Heart. (n. d.). Teamwork quotes and proverbs. Retrieved June 12, 2006 from http://www.heartquotes.net/teamwork-quotes.html

Lam, M. (2000). The Gentle art of listening: skills for developing family-administrator  relationships in early childhood. Early Childhood Education Journal, 27(4), 267-273. Retrieved June 12,2006 from EBSCO database.

Rumi, J. (1995). The Essential Rumi (C. Barks & J. Moyne, Trans.). New York: HarperCollins. (Original work published n.d.).

Rogers, C. (2001). Freedom to learn. Brooks/Cole Thompson Learning.