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Teams and Teamwork
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We are continually developing new guidebooks, discussion-papers and action-planning templates materials for this service. To receive updates, register as a subscriber to our free ezine, Encouraging Progress.
Currently, the following publications are available:
No "I" in "team". . ?!
I sometimes hear people advocate the use of 'we', rather than 'I' when speaking to their teams, on the basis that the former is inclusive and the latter creates a culture of division and power. "In a team environment", they tell me, "You should use 'We', because it indicates power-sharing and encourages the collective view."
The trouble with these practices, the first-mentioned and that used to report it (did you notice?), is that they often cause the divisions and resistance they aim to avoid.
Constructive interpersonal communication practices and the attitudes behind them are foundational skills for successful relationships and completely unexplored territory for many managers. It is common to have no idea how constructive they are and to be unaware of significant room for improvement. Sooner or later all our efforts towards involving other people require us to communicate with them - and that is where plans often disintegrate or stall. Few people get to understand their own part in the problem.
Of course, the use of "I" and "me" can convey selfish or inconsiderate putting-oneself-first. But avoiding their use may be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Speaking for myself clearly and directly is a part of being honest, explicit, authentic and influential.
A 2,200-word discussion paper downloadable as a PDF. Order and download this article.
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