Effective EQ communication in teams
Featured in the Developing an Emotionally Intelligent Team training manual
By Mike Bagshaw
Category: Emotional Intelligence
Credit price: 3 download credits (Single user)
Meetings should be a chance for people to get together and discuss what they think and feel. They should be there to listen as much as to talk. Then they’ll learn from each other, and will have all the available, relevant information to think about together, before they make a joint decision. Too often, it’s not like that. You get domineering characters and shy mice. New ideas are greeted with grave doubts, so the proponents are called upon to explain and defend. It can create a deeply discouraging atmosphere. The team members often recognise that this won’t do, but it isn’t going to change just because they don’t like it. They need a process for developing direct, honest and effective communication in a spirit of mutual learning. This training activity involves a very old solution, which stems from the traditions of American Indians. They sat in a circle, which is the formation most conducive to equality. One of their communication tools was a ‘talking stick’. Whoever was holding the stick would talk. Everyone else would listen. When the person had finished they returned the stick to the middle. Anyone who had a contribution to make could then reach for the stick. This put a block on people butting in, and helped to give everyone a chance to speak. This exercise will demonstrate how the talking stick can help bring about balanced contributions, authentic expression and mutual respect. These are all essential attributes for an EQ team.
You begin this training activity by introducing the notion of the circle in Native American culture, and explain how the talking stick can help the group to arrive at a deeper shared truth. Next, you show an OHT of a well-known parable as the lead-in to a ‘talking stick’ exercise on communication in EQ teams. You then do a content analysis of the key points derived from the exercise as a template for more effective EQ communication when the participants go back to their work teams.
Who is it for: This training resource is intended for use by trainers to enable participants to improve team communication and achieve mutual respect.
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 4 |
| Max Group Size: | 12 |
| Typical Duration: | 01:45:00 |
| No of Pages: | 13 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Additional resources: Felt tip pens - 4 colours for each participant, A4 sheets of unlined paper.
Purpose: This training resource is intended for use by trainers, as a foundation activity representing the essentials for enhancing team EQ, for leadership, personal development and team building programmes, and as a method for improving communication in a variety of team situations.
Download the training activity, Effective EQ communication in teams as featured in the Fenman training manual; Developing an Emotionally Intelligent Team