Communication And Interaction Patterns

We have spoken a lot about communication in a previous section. We will discuss now communication patterns forms part of group dynamics in teams.

Interaction Patterns

As the members of a team communicate with each other, a pattern of interaction develops. This means that they will also communicate in that specific way. This pattern can be beneficial or harmful. Read the following example of an interaction pattern that is beneficial and another example of a harmful interaction pattern.

Beneficial Interaction Pattern: Sally, Fritz and Kabelo are part of a production team in a large company. They work in an assembly line and are responsible for assembling DVD players in a factory. They work long hours and have two tea breaks during the day; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. During these tea breaks they like talking to each other about their work and what they do to stay motivated. They give each other advice and give tips on how to deal with problem situations.

Harmful Interaction Pattern: Sally does not like it when Kabelo gives her advice on how to do her work. She does not tell Kabelo this, because she does not like dealing with conflict. After tea, she goes to Fritz and tells him how unhappy she is with what Kabelo has told her. Fritz and Kabelo has a good relationship, but Sally tells Fritz that Kabelo is a “know-it-all” and that she doesn’t think he is a good team member.

It is important for the leader of the team to be aware of the interaction patterns in the team and whether it is beneficial or harmful to the team. It is particularly important for you as leader to pay attention to nonverbal messages that are communicated by your group members. When you are aware of their nonverbal messages, you can verbalise the messages that are conveyed in them; and this in turn may encourage your group members to talk about the issues that they do not want to express verbally.

Communication can also be distorted when they are being transmitted. “Distorted” means that the message is vague and not clear. The most common problem is language barriers. If your team members have different languages, care should be taken to ensure that members of your team understand what is being said and that they feel comfortable to take part in group discussions.

Giving and receiving feedback is a way to check that members understood you correctly. Examples of feedback are: “John, I understood you to say…” or “Mary, if I understand you correctly, you are saying…” Feedback and clarification can help to prevent communications from being interpreted in unintended ways.

The leader in a team must also be aware of patterns of interaction in a group. The different patterns of interaction are:

Maypole: when the leader is the central figure and communication occurs from the leader to the member and from the member to the leader.

Round Robin: when members take turns in talking.

Hot Seat: when there is an extended back-and-forth conversation between the leader and one member as the other members watch.

Free Floating: when all the members take responsibility for communicating, taking into consideration their ability to contribute meaningfully to the topic.

The first three patterns are leader-centred because the leader structures them. The fourth pattern is group-centred because it emerges from the group members. The best interaction pattern is the last, because members of the team feel free to interact with one another and the communication channels are open. Thus, it increases social interaction and improve member’s morale and commitment to group goals.

Communication Hazards

Words and the tone of what is said or written have the power to produce strong emotional reactions. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the effect that your words have on people.

You should know which words “sensitive” words are and try to avoid them. You should also take care of the way in which you say words, as people may be offended by the unintended message your tone of voice sent. You may be tired and irritated and say something like: “I don’t have time now.” The person receiving this message might interpret the message that you are angry with them.