Boston University MBA: Teaming & Communications

I'm eager to start the MBA program at Boston University and hone the critical collaboration and communication skills that are essential for success in the business sector. This training is challenging me to reconsider traditional approaches by highlighting effective teamwork and the value of compelling communication. I'm very excited to investigate how these commercial concepts might elegantly converge with the artistic realm as I travel farther along this path, and I can't wait to impart these life-changing realizations to my community and network. As an MBA student at Boston University, I am excited to absorb knowledge from the experiences of my peers. Which advise or lesson from your professional experience would you like to have known sooner?

What I learned: Teaming & Communications

?? Flipping the Focus: From Team-Building to Teaming Skills

• Teaming Skills vs. Team-Building: From Building Teams to Developing Team SkillsComparing Team-Building and Team-Skills The term "teaming" is used to reframe traditional team-building practices, highlighting continuous collaboration.
• Foundational Importance: The cornerstone of all corporate operations is the capacity for productive collaboration.
• Communication's Role: Throughout the MBA program, there is an emphasis on developing strategies and tactics for effective communication, which is crucial in both personal and professional contexts.

??Key Concepts of Communication in Building a Team

Purpose of Business Communication: The core purpose is persuasion.

Aristotle's Methods of Persuasion:

• Ethos: Credibility derived from titles and achievements.
• Logos: Logical reasoning supported by facts, data, and arguments.
• Pathos: Emotional connection with the audience to persuade effectively.

Leveraging Persuasion: Business leaders must utilize ethos, logos, and pathos to motivate and influence others.

??Teaming Skills - Hardware & Software

• Teaming Domains: Separated into team leadership (software) and project management (hardware).
• Project Management: Organizing communication and establishing the goal of the team.
• Team Leadership: Place strong emphasis on how power dynamics and interpersonal interactions affect the composition of the team.
• Transparency and Accountability: Enhanced by structured teams, which helps the group accomplish common objectives.

??Building a Psychologically Safe Environment

• Trust-Building: Essential for effective teamwork; accountability fosters trust.
• Amy Edmondson’s TED Talk: Highlights the importance of psychological safety in teams.

??GRPI Framework - Goals, Roles, Processes, and Interactions

Goals:

• SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound goals ensure team progress.
• Process Orientation: Like an archer, focus on the process steps to ensure consistent progress.

Roles:

• Role Alignment: Assign roles intentionally based on team needs and individual strengths.
• Accountability: Specific role assignments prevent ambiguity and foster responsibility.

Processes:

• Protocol Expectations: Establish clear guidelines for communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution early on.
• Conflict Resolution: Structured approaches prevent power struggles and dissatisfaction.

Interactions:

• Communication Expectations: Define platforms, response times, and formality levels to avoid frustration.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Recognize cultural differences in team interactions to leverage diversity and avoid conflicts.

??Crafting a Project Plan

• Project Planning Steps: Set internal deadlines, benchmarks, and checkpoints.
• Team Dynamics: To maximize contribution potential, switch from individual to group time management.

??Building Trust

Four Trust-Building Behaviors:

Be Present: To foster trust, give your full attention.

Project Confidence: Align your message with your demeanor to project confidence.

Show Warmth: To foster connection and confidence, combine warmth and power.

Be Authentic: To emotionally connect with people, share your beliefs and personal experiences.

• The Trust Equation: The Trust Equation states that credibility (knowledge) and dependability (follow-through) increase trustworthiness. Self-orientation causes it to decline since people are less inclined to trust persons who seem self-absorbed.

??Conclusion

• Trust and Communication: Effective teaming is rooted in trust and clear communication. By understanding and applying these principles, teams can function more effectively and achieve their goals.