Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Team Creativity & Communication

Team creativity and communication are essential to resolve team conflict.


Creativity is an essential part of every team, especially if the team's purpose is to create or brainstorm--for example, a marketing team. But ideas are only as good as they can be communicated. Without effective communication, the team may have innovative ideas, but may never be able to properly implement them due to a breakdown in communication. Effective communication will send the right message, be comprehended by the listeners and be put into action.


Definition


Team creativity is the ability of the team members to create and determine objectives to accomplish their ideas. Team creativity is not dependent on one individual in the team, but must incorporate each member. Every idea, thought and suggestion must be considered by the team as a whole and decided upon.


Communication is the ability to send a message using various media such as spoken words, visual illustrations and facial expressions. Communication is effective when verbal and nonverbal cues agree and the listener can fully grasp the message and apply it to his task.


Purpose


The purpose of team creativity and communication is to problem-solve, resolve conflict, and develop new ideas, policies, and strategy. For example, a team may have to create a solution to a larger customer issue. If a company has created a particular product and the general public finds it offensive or of poor quality, the team will have to use its combined creative power to react to the situation and solve it appropriately.


Types


Feedback is one type of team creativity communication. Feedback allows team members to share their reactions, opinions and ideas about a particular situation or experience. Focus groups also help with team creativity communication by interviewing different segments of people in order to gain a more comprehensive point of view of a situation. Brainstorming is a common form of team creativity communication. Brainstorming allows team members to dream big and out-of-the-box to inspire creative ideas in order to find practical solutions.


Complications


Ineffective communication or lack of team unity can cause complications in team creativity. Team conflict and lack of vision or direction can stifle team creativity. If you experience this in your team, you may want to consider bringing in a communication consultant to mediate your meetings and reinstate effective communication.


Considerations


Not everyone is creative, but all should be equally involved in team creativity communication. If people are less vocal or less confident in their creative ability, you may have ask them specific questions to encourage their involvement.

Tags: creativity communication, team creativity, team creativity communication, team members, allows team, allows team members