Teamwork and Global Considerations

Chapter 5
Teamwork and
Global Considerations
Technical Communication,
13th Edition
John M. Lannon
Laura J. Gurak
Copyright 2014, 2011, 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Learning Objectives
Manage a team project and run a successful
meeting
Help team members overcome personal
differences
Use listening skills and creative thinking in
group settings
Brainstorm using face-to-face and digital
methods
Review and edit the work of your peers
Learning Objectives (continued)

Avoid unethical behavior as a team member
Understand how to work productively on a
global team
Teamwork
Complex documents (especially long reports,
proposals, and manuals) are rarely produced

by one person working alone.
Traditionally composed of people from one
location, teams are increasingly distributed
across different job sites, time zones, and
countries.
Whether the team is on-site or distributed,
members have to find ways of working
together.
Guidelines for Teamwork

For a team to work effectively, consider the
following guidelines:
Appoint a group leader
Define a clear and definite goal
Identify the type of document required
Divide the tasks
Establish a timetable
Decide on a meeting schedule
Establish a procedure for responding to the work of
other members
Guidelines for Teamwork

(continued)
Develop a file-naming system for various drafts
Establish procedures for dealing with interpersonal
problems
Select a group decision-making style
Decide how to evaluate each members contribution
Prepare a project management plan
Submit regular progress reports
Virtual Meetings
Some of the technologies available for virtual
meetings include the following:
email
blogs
conference calls
internet conferencing
webinars
digital whiteboards
collaborative writing software
project management software
Face-to-Face Meetings
Despite many digital tools for collaboration,
face-to-face meetings are still a fact of life

because they provide vital personal contact.
Meetings are usually scheduled for two
purposes: to convey or exchange information,
or to make decisions.
Taking charge in a meeting doesnt mean
imposing ones views or stifling opposing
views. It does mean moving the discussion
along and keeping it centered on the issue.
Guidelines for
Face-to-Face Meetings
To conduct a successful face-to-face meeting,
follow these guidelines:
Set an agenda
Ask each person to prepare as needed
Appoint a different observer for each meeting
Begin by summarizing the minutes of the last meeting
Give all members a chance to speak
Stick to the issue
Keep things moving
Observe, guide, and listen
Guidelines for Face-to-Face

Meetings (continued)
Summarize major points before calling for a
vote
End the meeting on schedule
Sources of Conflict in
Collaborative Groups
Even the most dynamic group setting can
produce conflict because of differences such as
the following.
Interpersonal differences: People might clash
because of differences in personality, working style,

commitment, standards, or ability to take criticism.
Gender differences: Gender differences can create
perceptions of inequality.
Cultural differences: Issues such as the use of
humor, ways of expressing politeness, or cultural
references can cause misunderstandings.
Guidelines for
Managing Group Conflict
To manage group conflict, follow these guidelines:
Give everyone a chance to be heard.
Take everyones feelings and opinions seriously.
Dont be afraid to disagree.
Offer and accept constructive criticism.
Find points of agreement with others who hold different
views.
When the group does make a decision, support it fully.
Overcoming Differences
by Active Listening
Effective listening requires active involvement instead of
merely passive reception. In other words, active listening.

Some ways to be an active listener include not dictating,
being receptive, keeping an open mind, being courteous,
showing genuine interest, hearing the speaker out, focusing
on the message, asking for clarification when needed, and
observing the 90/10 rule (listen 90% of the time, speak 10%
of the time).
Thinking Creatively
Use the following techniques to get started:
Brainstorming (by hand or using digital
technologies), Mind-mapping, and Storyboarding.
Reviewing and Editing Others Work

Documents produced collaboratively are reviewed
and edited extensively.
Reviewing means evaluating how well a document
connects with its audience and meets its purpose in terms

of accuracy, usefulness, organization, style, and design.
Editing means actually fixing the piecemaking it
more precise and readable by rephrasing sentences,
choosing better words or phrases, and fixing spelling,
grammar, and mechanical errors.
Guidelines for Reviewing and

Editing Others Work
When editing someone elses work, follow these
guidelines:
Read the piece at least twice before editing
Be aware that mere mechanical correctness does not
guarantee effectiveness
Keep in mind the limits of editing
Be honest and diplomatic
Focus first on the big picture
Explain why something doesnt work
Make recommendations
Ethical Abuses in
Workplace Collaboration
Avoid the following ethical abuses when
working with others:
Intimidating ones peers
Claiming credit for others work
Hoarding information
Global Considerations when

Working in Teams
In todays global environment, teams are often
composed of people all over the world. Keep in
mind the following potential interpersonal
issues.
Missing social cues in virtual meetings
Misunderstanding cultural codes
Misusing humor, slang, and idioms
Misusing culturally specific references
Failing to allow for easy translation
Failing to listen
Review Questions
1. Why is teamwork important in todays
workplace?
2. What are five technologies that can be used
to facilitate virtual meetings?
3. Why are face-to-face meetings still important
in todays workplace?
4. What does taking charge mean and not
mean?
5. What are the three main sources of conflict
in collaborative groups?
Review Questions (continued)

6. What is active listening?
7. What are three techniques for thinking
creatively prior to starting a team project?
8. What is the difference between reviewing
and editing?
9. Name three ethical abuses in workplace
collaboration?
10. What are the six interpersonal issues that
can affect global teams negatively?

Teamwork and Global Considerations

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Chapter 5

Learning Objectives (continued)

proposals, and manuals) are rarely produced

Guidelines for Teamwork

Guidelines for Teamwork

face-to-face meetings are still a fact of life

Guidelines for Face-to-Face

because of differences in personality, working style,

merely passive reception. In other words, active listening.

Reviewing and Editing Others Work

connects with its audience and meets its purpose in terms

Guidelines for Reviewing and

Global Considerations when

Review Questions (continued)

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