The document discusses strategies for successful collaboration and team dynamics. It identifies setting goals, finding common ground rules, and good communication as key strategies. It also discusses the importance of utilizing each member's strengths, including different learning styles, and addressing conflicts respectfully to improve the team dynamic. The conclusion restates that incorporating a variety of strategies can help create an effective learning team.

1. TEAM D:
SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION AND
TEAM DYNAMICS
TAUNISHA HOWARD
ALICIA KIRBY
GLENDA GILLIARD
TIANA HEMPHILL
TIAUNA KING
PROFESSIONAL
COMMUNICATIONS COM/516
JANUARY 9, 2017
PROFESSOR KIMBERLY
HUEBNER

2. INTRODUCTION
When working in a team, each individual brings something different to the project. Collaboration allows for members
to bounce ideas off of each other, share life experiences, and get more out of an assignment together than individually.
Members of the team learn to value each others ideas, provide constructive criticism and lend guidance where needed.
Team collaboration is an essential and very rewarding experience as it not only helps with academic success but social
interactions.

3. THE VALUE OF TEAM COLLABORATION FOR ACADEMIC
SUCCESS
Strategies we can use to ensure that all team members are
contributing and collaboration appropriately is by:
 Setting goals and ground rules
 Finding and laying ground rules in the beginning can
help detour a team away from conflicts
 Work on the same goals
 Good communication

4. STRATEGIES IN USING CONFLICT RESOLUTION AS
OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING
 A communication strategy we could use if a team member is
not contributing and collaborating is by making sure the
team members reach out to them. We can use written
communication through our learning group discussions or
email to ensure they are getting the information they need in
order to contribute.
 There are times we may have to deal with team conflict
between team members. One of the best ways to deal with
team conflict is head-on.
 One way we can help our team members when there is
conflict is by asking them if they need help with something.
They may just be confused on something. If that is the case,
we could share what we know and help them out.
 In order for us to have an effective and successful team, we
all need to communicate and contribute equally.

5. UTILIZING EACH TEAM MEMBER'S LEARNING STYLE AS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN THE TEAM DYNAMIC
There are seven learning styles that are indicative to people’s characteristics
 Visual – spatial, images, pictures
 Aural - auditory-musical, sound, rhythm
 Verbal - linguistic, speech, writing
 Physical - kinesthetic, touch, sensations
 Logical - mathematical, logic, reasoning
 Social – interpersonal, groups, work with others
 Solitary – intrapersonal, work alone, drive yourself
Many people learn and retain information in different ways. Recognizing one’s
style can possibly increase their range of learning. The team dynamic can be
strengthened when a team member has knowledge of how they learn best. This
information can contribute to new ideas and effective team collaboration.
(Lepi, K. (2012). The 7 Styles of Learning: Which works for you? Edudemic.)

6. CRUCIAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR AN EFFECTIVE
LEARNING TEAM
Working within a learning team shows that communication skills are crucial
to the productivity of the group. Some categories for communication may
include:
 Listening – listening to ideas and team instruction to ensure accuracy
 Feedback/Follow through - offering suggestions and responding to team
questions or concerns
 Constructive Criticism – being able to offer respectful suggestions to
enhance quality of work
 Writing – concise correspondence for clear understanding

7. THE PURPOSE OF USING THE LEARNING TEAM CHARTER AS A TOOL
TO REINFORCE TEAM COLLABORATION WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO
TEAM SUCCESS
The team charter is a great place for group discussions and
many types of outlines. Utilizing the team charter helps to
alleviate misunderstandings and confusion amongst the team.
Being able to revisit information that was shared with the
group on an earlier date, helps keep the group aware of the
proper deadlines. All of these areas help with the success of
the team. Collaborative/Cooperative Learning exists and is
achievable when groups come together and show an interest
in completing a particular task.
(Carpenter & Hanson, 2011, p. 270: Magney, 1996, p.565)

8. THE PURPOSE OF USING THE LEARNING TEAM CHARTER AS A TOOL
TO REINFORCE TEAM COLLABORATION WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO
TEAM SUCCESS
Effective strategies that contribute to team success:
 Cooperation/Collaboration: Establishing a mutual
support system among group members to meet the
criteria of the projected assignment.
 Agendas and Tasks: Forming a clear
understanding of the project deadlines and the
tasks of all team members should be
recognized at the start of the assignment.

9. THE PURPOSE OF USING THE LEARNING TEAM CHARTER AS A TOOL
TO REINFORCE TEAM COLLABORATION WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO
TEAM SUCCESS
 Collaborative/Cooperative Learning Results:
• Develop leadership skills and increase comfort level with working in teams
• Share ideas and seek information in an open forum
• Create collaboration and consensus in making decisions as a group
• Develop critical thinking skills
(Goings, & Johnson, 2011, p. 78: Magney, 1996, p. 567)

10. EFFECTIVE COMPONENTS NECESSARY FOR TEAM SUCCESS
 There are several components teams may use for their team to be successful. According to Janet Snow and
Christopher Mulrooney there are five strategies for success: 1) Establish a clear, compelling direction 2) Create an
appropriate structure 3) Select the right people 4) Support the team 5) Provide opportunities for development.

11. EFFECTIVE COMPONENTS NECESSARY FOR TEAM SUCCESS
 When establishing a clear compelling direction,
everyone needs to decide which direction the group
will go. It may be easier for some teams to appoint a
“team leader”. If the direction is not clear, a
“leadership vacuum” is created.
 When in a virtual group, it is important to set
deadlines before the actual project deadline. This is to
ensure balance in the project, check on spelling and
grammatical errors. Updates via phone conference
and email also work well. “When you commit to
something for the group, always deliver”.

12. EFFECTIVE COMPONENTS NECESSARY FOR TEAM SUCCESS
 Select team members, if possible, based on their
strengths, expertise or skill set .
 Supporting the team may include lending guidance to
a team member who may be misunderstanding an
assignment. Calling, emailing or face to face
interaction if the team member stays close.
 There are several ways to provide opportunities for
development. Team members may switch the roles of
the assignment. Everyone gets a chance to experience
different areas in the assignment. Encourage and
compliment team members on how well their portion
of the project is going.

13. MOTIVATIONAL STRATEGIES TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
 There are many different motivational strategies to increase
productivity within a group. Being a team player is very
essential to productivity. According to Leadership Management
Australasia, there are 5 key motivational components to
increasing team productivity. Each component is set in place to
help each team member achieve one optimum goal successfully.
The five motivational components listed by the LMA are as follows:
1. Trusting each other
2. Creating a effective reward system
3. Giving positive recognition
4. Offering career advancement
5. Exhibiting happiness

14. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, successful collaboration and team dynamics are very important to achieving success within a team.
There are a variety of different things that each team member can bring to the learning team. The key is combining
each team members strengths and incorporating it into the group work. Open communication and trusting each other
to do their part will increase productivity to create a power team. Incorporating each strategy and dynamic will make
the learning team stronger.

15. REFERENCES
 Carpenter, D. & Hanson, M. (2011). Integrating cooperative learning into classroom testing: Implications for
nursing education and practices. Nursing Education Perspectives, 32(4), 270.
 Goings, D. & Johnson, J. (2011). The synergistic effect of matrix learning: A case study using matrix learning in
business classes. Business Education Innovation Journal, 3(1), 77.
 Snow, J L. & Mulrooney, C. (2002). Effective top teams: Five Strategies for Success. Healthcare Executive,Vol.17
Issue 2, pg22
 Lepi, K. (2012). The 7 Styles of Learning: Which Works for You? Edudemic. http://www.edudemic.com/styles-of-l
learning/
 (2015). 5 motivation strategies to increase productivity. Learning Management Association. Retrieved January
01, 2017, from http://leadershipmanagement.com.au/motivate-and-dominate-5-motivation-strategies-to-
increase-productivity.