Do you know any good blogs or books that offer communication skills training material, which would make things easier for my team members when trying to communicate their ideas with coworkers?

Question

faysal usman · Answer

there are so many books about communication skills and etc well here are few things i tried my self with my team and it worked hope it works for you too

THE team building activities are essential in creating a closely-knit, happy and productive A-team. But what activities EXACTLY are team building activities? Which are the most effective (and low cost, low time-consuming) ones? We believe the best team building activities not only serve to increase communication amongst your team members, but also help to form some great memories they can share. Here are our top picks:

1. A Truth and A Lie (0.5-1hour) – Have each member introduce themselves by stating their name plus one truth about themselves and one lie. After each person makes their statements, allow for a quick open conversation where everyone questions each other on their two statements. The idea is to convince the other members that your lie is actually a truth, while guessing the truths/lies of the others. After the questioning period, vote as a group on each member’s statements. Points are awarded for each lie guessed right or for stumping other members on your own lie. This exercise helps to get to know your coworkers better and encourages group interaction and communication. (Optional: Increase the difficulty by having 2 truths and 1 lie, or 2 lies and 1 truth. Remove the open conversation segment if time is constrained)

2. Poker Tower (15-30minutes) — Distribute a pack of poker cards and a pair of scissors to each group of 2-5 members. Instruct them to build the tallest poker tower using ONLY the cards and scissors given to them. This will stimulate creativity and team bonding, as the team figures out how to build the tower with the limited material available. (Optional: Spice up the game with 1 A4 size piece of paper)

3. Egg Drop (1-2hours) — This is a messy yet classic engaging problem. Split the team into 2-3 teams of reasonable size. The task is to build an egg package that can keep the egg intact from a 2-4 storey drop. Tools that can be provided include newspapers, straws, tape, plastic, balloons, rubber bands. Give the teams 30min-1hour to create the package. After which, each team will take turns to drop the egg package from the 2nd storey while everyone else stays at the bottom level to observe. (Optional: increase the height of the egg drop until a single winner is found!)

4. Legoman (0.5-1hour) — This problem solving activity requires little more than a couple of sets of children’s building blocks. The instructor will build a small sculpture with some of the building blocks and hide it from the group. The participants should then be divided into small teams of 3-6. Each team should be given enough building material so that they can duplicate the structure the instructor has created (specific size and color included). The instructor should then place their sculpture in an area that is an equal distance from all the groups. One member from each team can come up at any point of time to look at the sculpture for as long as they want and try to memorize it before returning to their team. No paper, pen no camera are allowed to be brought to the sculpture. After they return to their teams, they instruct their teams about how to build an exact replica of the instructor’s sculpture. Meanwhile, another member from each team can come up for another sneak peek before returning to their team and trying to recreate the sculpture. The game should be continued in this pattern until one of the team’s successfully duplicates the original sculpture. This game will teach participants how to strategize, communicate effectively and problem solve in a group.

5. The Mine Field (15-30 minutes) – The idea behind this exercise is to improve team members’ trust, their relationship, and to communicate in a more effective way. You will need an open space such as an empty room or hallway in which you will distribute ‘mines’ that are placed haphazardly around the area. The ‘mine’s can be cones, balls, bottles etc. Team members are paired into teams of two. One team member will be blindfolded and the other can see and talk, but is not allowed to enter the field or touch their partner. The challenge is for the blind-folded person to walk from one side of the field to the other, avoiding the mines by listening to the verbal instructions of their partners. (Optional: Have more than 1 pair walking through the mine simultaneously, so the difficulty of focusing and listening to the right instructions increases)

6. Win, lose or draw (15-30 minutes) — This is another classical team game, which can be very easily executed. You need paper, pen, and a flipchart/whiteboard. Think of items that fit into certain categories. These can be generic or specific to the team. For example, generic categories include food items, places of interest, idioms. Team-specific categories include computer technologies for computer scientists, business ideas for startups, school and students for teachers. Split the group into 2 teams. Each team takes turns to play. The team that is playing will nominate an artist, who will draw a “list” of items to draw. The only hint to his teammates will be the category name. They then have 1-3 minutes to draw the items on that list, without writing nor speaking. Switch around to another team after the time limit. Swap artists with each round, and repeat for 4-5 rounds. Collate the final results to find the winning team.

7. Zoom. (30 minutes) — This is an activity designed for smaller teams. It requires the wordless, picture book entitled, “Zoom” by Istvan Banyai. This book features 30 sequential pictures that work together to form a narrative. The book should be fairly easy to find, as it’s been published in over 18 countries. The pictures can even be laminated to prolong their usage. Hand out one picture to each participant, making sure a continuous sequence is being used. Explain to the participants that they can only look at their own pictures and must keep their picture hidden from other participants. Time should be given for the participants to study their pictures because each picture will contain important information that will help the participants solve the problem of putting them into order. The ultimate goal is for the group to place the pictures in sequential order without looking at one another’s pictures. The participants can talk to each other and discuss what is featured in their picture. This activity brings coworkers together and gets them communicating with the common goal of solving a problem, but it also allows for leaders to emerge and take control of the task. (Optional: Draw up your own pictures to accommodate the team size and difficulty level)

8. Dragon-boating (2-4 hours) — Who said all team building activities need to be indoors? Head out with your team for some sun! Try dragon-boating or double-kayaking, which requires good teamwork. Include a race if possible.

9. Paint-balling (2-4 hours) — Because really, there’s no better way to build a healthy rapport with your manager than shooting him in the ass (literally) while your co-workers stand around and cheer on. As an interesting variation, there’s a British firm specializing in corporate “Fatless Fat Fun” for when “the old team-building standards are feeling a bit tired.” Surrey-based Sumo Experience provides not only the sumo fat suits (complete with protective headgear that resembles a sumo hairdo) that will send your “opponent rolling on the ground like a beach ball,” but a Dohyo (sumo arena) and Gyoji (sumo referee) as well. Smoke machine and Japanese soundtrack are optional.

10. Helium Stick (15 minutes) — This is a quick game that serves well as an ice-breaker or a short coffee break. A long thin stick is required. Be sure to call the pole a “Helium Stick” when you introduce the exercise. Place your group in two lines facing each other. Have each person hold the index finger of their right hand chest high. Place the helium stick on top of the outstretched fingers. The challenge is to lower the stick to the ground while keeping everyone’s fingers touching the stick. If anyone’s finger loses contact with the helium stick, you must start again. At first the stick will seem to rise (hence the name Helium Stick). In fact, it is simply the upwards pressure of everyone’s fingers causing the stick to go up instead of down. Once everyone relaxes they can easily lower the stick to the ground. This usually takes ten minutes of laughter and a leader to complete. (Optional: swap the helium stick for a helium balloon for a smaller team)

11. Talking in Circles (0.5-1 hour) — This is a highly challenging game that is only recommended for teams who love challenges. Place everyone in a circle around a long piece of string that is tied at its ends to form a circle. Have everyone grasp the string with both hands and hold the string waist high. Without letting go, the team will have to form shapes with the string; a square, a triangle, a figure eight, a rectangle, etc. Repeat the game but with everyone’s eyes shut! This will require everyone to communicate clearly and listen well. Make the shapes progressively harder and periodically have them stop and open their eyes to see their progress…or lack there of

12. Human Knot (15-30 minutes) — This brain teaser is funny and really works on teambuilding, problem solving and communication. No materials are needed. Recommended group size includes a wide range of 8-20 people. Instruct the participants to stand in a circle, shoulder to shoulder. Tell everyone to put their right hand in the air and grab the hand of someone standing across the circle from them. Now tell everyone to put their left hand in the air and grab the hand of a different person. Someone needs to check that everyone is holding the hands of two different people and that no one is holding the hand of someone who’s standing directly next to them. The objective of the game is to untangle everyone without letting go of their hands. If the chain is broken, participants will have to start over. Note: sometimes >1 circle will form. This game requires casual clothing, and is not recommended for team members with physical limitations. This game will rely heavily on teamwork and communication.

13. Salt and Pepper (15 minutes) — This activity is fun, excellent for energizing your team, and also great as a quick ice-breaker exercise. It is simple to set up and suitable for a wide team size of 10-40 people (ideally even numbered). As a facilitator, think of pairs of things such as, salt and pepper, yin and yang, shadow and light, peanut butter and jelly, Mickey and Minnie mouse, male and female, and so forth. Write each item on a piece of paper (i.e. salt on one piece and pepper on another), and tape one paper on the back of each person, making sure they can’t see it. When the game starts, everyone must walk around asking yes or no questions in order to find out what word they have taped to their backs. Once they figure that out, they need to find their other pair. Learning how to ask the right questions is the key. (Optional: The two will then sit down and learn three to five interesting facts about one another)

Lesley Rodgers · Answer

I run experiential training workshops to improve personal, interpersonal and inter-departmental communication, by working at a deep level with my clients (who also have lots of fun!) and have written lots about the whys and where-fors of this type of personal 9business) development. I've written much on the subject so feel free to roam around the website;

Breakthrough!

Team Building - Overcoming Obstacles

Team Building And Transformational Training ~ Improving Creativity

Maha Fawzy Al-Shaarawy · Answer

Top 20 Best Books on Communication and Listening . Active Listening 101: How to Turn Down Your Volume to Turn Up Your Communication Skills, by Emilia Hardman, 2012

The author of this little 56-page book suggests that Diogenes Laertius was right when he realized, “We have two ears and only one tongue, in order that we may hear more and speak less.” She therefore concludes that it’s time to take a closer look at the other side of communication. It’s time to end the shadowy existence of listening. Active listening skills can have a hugely positive effect on your whole life… whether it be strengthening your relationships, gaining valuable information for your business or improving your health and happiness?

2. The Power of Communication: Skills to Build Trust, Inspire Loyalty, and Lead Effectively, by Helio Fred Garcia, 2012

Communication is the absolutely indispensable leadership discipline. But, too often, leaders and professional communicators get mired in tactics, and fail to influence public attitudes in the ways that would help them the most. The Power of Communication builds on the U.S. Marine Corps’ legendary publication Warfighting, showing how to apply the Corps’ proven leadership and strategy doctrine to all forms of public communication — and achieve truly extraordinary results. Communications expert, consultant, and speaker Helio Fred Garcia reveals how to orient on audiences, recognizing their centers of gravity and most critical concerns.

3. Power Listening: Mastering the Most Critical Business Skill of All, by Bernard T. Ferrari, 2012

Nothing causes bad decisions in organizations as often as poor listening, but author Bernard Ferrari, believes that such missteps can be avoided. The books offers a step-by-step process that will help readers become active listeners, able to shape and focus any conversation. Ferrari’s practical insights include: Good listening is hard work, not a passive activity. Good listening means asking questions, challenging all assumptions, and understanding the context of every interaction. Good listening results in a new clarity of focus, greater efficiency, and an increased likelihood of making better decisions.

4. Fitly Spoken: Developing Effective Communication and Social Skills, by Greg S. Baker, 2011

Have you ever said something you didn’t mean? Have you ever struggled to express your feelings? Have you ever said something you later regretted? Have you ever acted on misunderstanding and either been hurt or hurt someone else? Do you find yourself arguing endlessly with neither giving in nor anything getting accomplished? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then this book is for you. Learn to express yourself in ways that others understand and can relate to. Learn to avoid the dangers of misunderstandings and cut through tangled emotions to discern what is really trying to be said. Use trigger words and phrases to promote positive reactions to negative situations. Establish good communication lines with those around you, and forge stronger and more meaningful relationships. Learn what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. Written for the average person or the business professional, Fitly Spoken is a guide to developing strong communication and social skills in any environment or circumstance.

5. Harvard Business Review on Communicating Effectively, by Harvard Business Review, 2011

Those who aspire to master several different high-impact communication styles will find the material in this HBR book invaluable. It is one of the volumes in a series of anthologies of articles that first appeared in Harvard Business Review. Authors of the ten articles focus on one or more components of a process by which to pitch a brilliant idea successfully, connect with any audience, establish and then sustain credibility, inspire others to “see” and embrace your vision, adapt to any audience’s decision-making style, frame goals around shared interests, build consensus and obtain concessions, and neutralize stressful conversations.

6. The Secrets of Successful Communication: A Simple Guide to Effective Encounters in Business (Big Brain vs. Little Brain Communication), by Kevin T. McCarney, 2011

This book will help you identify the opportunities to turn every encounter into a great encounter. It provides some simple tools that will help you become a better ambassador of yourself and the businesses and organizations you are a part of. You will discover a precise yet simple and enjoyable method of learning to communicate effectively, positively, and even happily with everyone you encounter, from the angry customer who did not get what he ordered to the noisy people sitting in front of you in the movie theater. The tools apply equally well to your private life as they do to your work life. The tips can work at home, at the office, at school, on the Little League diamond, and even on the freeway. The good news is that achieving the seemingly impossible result of outstanding communication with anyone is remarkably easy to teach, to learn, and to implement using the tools this book will share.

7. Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler, 2011

In this, the 2nd edition, the book ads access to new material including a video vault that illustrates each of the authors’ techniques being acted out, new case studies, and new tools to help you maneuver effectively through crucial conversations. This wise and witty guide gives you the tools you need to step up to life’s most difficult and important conversations, say what’s on your mind, and achieve positive outcomes. You’ll learn how to: Prepare for high-impact situations with a six-minute mastery technique, make it safe to talk about almost anything, be persuasive, not abrasive, keep listening when others blow up or clam up, and turn crucial conversations into the action and results you want.

8. Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently, by John C. Maxwell, 2010

The world’s most respected leadership expert gives five principles and five practices for breaking the invisible barrier to leadership and personal success. You have a good idea but can’t convince your peers of its merit. You crafted a groundbreaking strategy, but the team trudges on in the same old way. Certain people move forward in their career while you seem to be stuck. If this describes you or someone you know, the problem is not the quality of what you have to offer. The problem is how you connect with people to create the results you desire. In Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, John Maxwell takes readers through the Five Connecting Principles and the Five Connecting Practices of top-notch achievers. He believes that a person’s ability to create change and results in any organization-be it a company, church, nonprofit, or even a family-is directly tied to the ability to use the teachings of this book.

9. Words That Work In Business: A Practical Guide to Effective Communication in the Workplace, by Ike Lasater and Julie Stiles, 2010

Addressing the most common workplace relationship challenges, this manual shows how to use the principles of nonviolent communication to improve the workplace atmosphere. Offering practical tools that match recognizable work scenarios, this guide can help all employees positively affect their work relationships and company culture, regardless of their position. This handbook displays proven communication skills for effectively handling difficult conversations, reducing workplace conflict and stress, improving individual and team productivity, having more effective meetings, and giving and receiving meaningful feedback, thereby creating a more enjoyable work environment.

10. Essential Interviewing: A Programmed Approach to Effective Communication, by David R. Evans, Margaret T. Hearn, Max R. Uhlemann and Allen E. Ivey, 2010

With an emphasis on the three major stages of interviewing: exploration, clarification and action, ESSENTIAL INTERVIEWING offers the same programmed-learning model of interviewing that has successfully trained countless members of the helping professions for nearly 30 years. Based on Ivey’s systematic method of interviewer, counselor, and therapist training, as well as Hearn’s programmed-learning model, the text makes interview skills clear and specific. The authors give students the tools they need to conduct successful interviews with diverse clients in a variety of professional settings, including social work, counseling, nursing, personnel work, and human services.

11. It’s the Way You Say It: Becoming Articulate, Well-spoken, and Clear, by Carol A. Fleming, 2010

No other skills will position you ahead of your competition as much as good speaking and presentation skills. It’s the Way You Say It offers: • Useful vocal self-evaluation tools • Valuable tips to solve specific voice problems • Expert advice on how to develop a dynamic voice • Advice on how to become verbally competent and fluent • Practical methods to become well-spoken • How to speak with comfort and confidence • Steps to become approachable and gracious • Professional guidance in conquering stage fright Speech consultant, Dr. Carol Fleming brings unique knowledge and skills to the speaking needs of individuals and corporate clients.

12. Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone, by Mark Goulston and Keith Ferrazzi, 2009

The first make-or-break step in persuading anyone to do any thing is getting them to hear you out. Whether the person is a harried colleague, a stressed-out client, or an insecure spouse, things will go from bad to worse if you can’t break through emotional barricades. Drawing on his experience as a psychiatrist, business consultant, and coach, and backed by the latest scientific research, author Mark Goulston shares simple but powerful techniques readers can use to really get through to people–whether they’re coworkers, friends, strangers, or enemies. Getting through is a fine art but a critical one. With the help of this groundbreaking book readers will be able to turn the “impossible” and “unreachable” people in their lives into allies, devoted customers, loyal colleagues, and lifetime friends.

13. Mastering Communication at Work: How to Lead, Manage, and Influence, by Ethan F. Becker and Jon Wortmann, 2009

Mastering Communication at Work is based on 45 years of research and working with over half-a-million clients around the world. From leaders of countries to leaders of companies to people just starting out in their career, Becker and Wortmann teach techniques that start with the essential wisdom of Aristotle and include the best practices in today’s global organizations. The book includes interviews with leaders who reveal the inside story of the communication secrets. Mastering Communication at Work provides clear, actionable advice you can put to use right away and simple drills to practice during your next meeting, one-on-one conversation—or even sitting at your desk.

14. The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships, by Michael P. Nichols, 2009

One person talks; the other listens. It’s so basic that we take it for granted. Unfortunately, most of us think of ourselves as better listeners than we actually are. Why do we so often fail to connect when speaking with family members, romantic partners, colleagues, or friends? How do emotional reactions get in the way of real communication? This thoughtful, witty, and empathic book has already helped over 100,000 readers break through conflicts and transform their personal and professional relationships. Experienced therapist Mike Nichols provides vivid examples, easy-to-learn techniques, and practical exercises for becoming a better listener–and making yourself heard and understood, even in difficult situations.

15. Messages: The Communication Skills Book, by Matthew McKay, Martha Davis and Patrick Fanning, 2009

Many people assume that good communicators possess an intrinsic talent for speaking and listening to others, a gift that can’t be learned or improved. The reality is that communication skills are developed with deliberate effort and practice, and learning to understand others and communicate your ideas more clearly will improve every facet of your life. Now in its third edition, Messages has helped thousands of readers cultivate better relationships with friends, family members, coworkers, and partners. You’ll discover new skills to help you communicate your ideas more effectively and become a better listener.

16. Communication: The Key to Effective Leadership, by Judith A. Pauley, 2009

You are a leader and have a vision of where you want to go and how you want to get there. The task now is to get your employees to see your vision and to march with you in lock step to accomplish it. To succeed, you must get them to want to follow you. To do that, you must be able to communicate your vision clearly and concisely so that everyone sees the vision and sees how accomplishing it is to their advantage. The purpose of this book is to help any leader to communicate more effectively so that he or she can motivate every employee to want to carry out the vision. Chapters address the following: Everyone Is A Leader To Someone Organizing the Team Establishing Trust Inspiring Confidence Interaction Styles Getting Buy-In Developing Your Team Getting Results Followers In Distress Leaders In Distress.

17. The Art and Science of Communication: Tools for Effective Communication in the Workplace, by P. S. Perkins and Les Brown, 2008

The Art and Science of Communication shows you a new way to understand and use communication in the workplace. Revealing the seven types of communication we all use every day, the book shows you how to increase your communication effectiveness in any setting with practical techniques, analogies, and models that clearly explain the formulas for successful communication. Combining the science and art of communication into one effective formula, this book offers a straightforward and easy to understand plan for a more successful career.

18. Talk Like a Winner: 21 Simple Rules for Achieving Everyday Communication Success, by Steve Nakamoto, Robin Quinn and Joe Kohl, 2008

Steve Nakamoto shares his embarrassing communication failures and explains what he has learned and how he could have handled past situations differently. This book covers Nakamoto’s twenty-one rules for successful communication by devoting a chapter to each rule. Each chapter gives a definition for the rule, personal anecdotes from the author s experiences, and exercises for improving proficiency in that particular area. Some of the topics covered may seem like common sense, such as assessing a situation to determine the tone of conversation, and becoming a better listener so that everyone has a chance to speak. However, Nakamoto manages to provide tips and ideas that readers probably wouldn’t otherwise think of trying.

19. Creating Effective Groups: The Art of Small Group Communication, by Randy Fujishin, 2007

Creating Effective Groups, Second Edition provides a straightforward, yet comprehensive, introduction to the study of small group communication, group decision-making, group problem solving, group dynamics, leadership, and team building. This practical book gives students the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to communicate more effectively and interact more productively in the small group setting. Throughout the book, the reader will develop, practice, and implement the communication skills essential to any small group environment. This edition contains new sections on reducing speaking anxiety, intercultural awareness—including the S.O.A.R. technique for intercultural awareness—and more. The book also contains new end of chapter exercises.

20. Killer Presentations: Power the Imagination to Visualise Your Point – With Power Point, by Nicholas B. Oulton, 2007

In this book presentations guru Nicholas Oulton sets out a different approach that will allow readers to use PowerPoint to increase the power of their presentations. Using tried and tested principles, Oulton shows how – through practical, systematic thinking and overhauling your attitude to the visual aids you use – you can ditch bad old habits and bring your presentations to vivid life. You will enhance the clarity of what you put over, and fire the imagination of your audience. This second edition has a completely new chapter on Web Presenting and links to several online seminars as well as a chapter on how to make your presentation content more memorable by The book illustrates its approach clearly and in detail, using real life examples from clients. A series of 40 color-images show how such slides can powerfully impress. Additionally, the book provides links to a website where you can see more about how this step change in presentational technique works in action.

Mohammad Falah ALqudah · Answer

To work within a large team of different nationalities is ordered earns build relationships on a larger scale at the level of the team as a whole

And it gives you the opportunity to learn about other cultures, thus contributing to enhance the level of culture in general

As for communication with team members then surely you the ability to communicate with them in a language common one which were mainly English

You can focus on the points of consensus among all of us and to promote networking opportunities by provoking discussions on these points, which by all Tstrko

If found you plenty of time within the times of work at the level of the day, week or Hhrvkd be a recipe wonderful Employment Status As these times benefit the team completely, which is usually be an expanse Entertainment by the employer to support the reaching out and break the deadlock between the Team members

You can as one of the members of this team from the exploitation of these times and originally allocated for recreational and educational activities and games

Of submitting a proposal to exercise my brain a particular activity or a particular physical activity in the form of collective competition These often contribute to break the deadlock and break down barriers and foster team spirit

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I hope that I have helped you in this detailed answer to your question and built-featured

Maha Fawzy Al-Shaarawy · Answer

. Active Listening 101: How to Turn Down Your Volume to Turn Up Your Communication Skills, by Emilia Hardman, 2012

The author of this little 56-page book suggests that Diogenes Laertius was right when he realized, “We have two ears and only one tongue, in order that we may hear more and speak less.” She therefore concludes that it’s time to take a closer look at the other side of communication. It’s time to end the shadowy existence of listening. Active listening skills can have a hugely positive effect on your whole life… whether it be strengthening your relationships, gaining valuable information for your business or improving your health and happiness?