Learn Communication and Team Building Skills at our 2024 Pre-Summit 2-Day Course
![Team of four high fiving](/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-High-Fiving.png)
We are pleased to announce that one of our favorite Summit speakers, Vincent Phipps, will teach a 2-Day Pre-Summit course at our 2023 Global TapRooT® Summit. The 2-Day Pre-Summit course dates for Effective Communication will be April 29 – 30, 2024. Continue reading to see what Vincent says about building a better team.
What Does it Mean to be a Team?
By Vincent Ivan Phipps, M.A., CSP (Certified Speaking Professional)
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According to the Oxford American Dictionary, a team is simplistically defined as “two or more persons working together.” This being the literal definition, why do so many teams find it difficult to work “together”?
In our personal lives, we choose our sweethearts and friends. Our choices are often based on some common interest and/or because they are like us.
In professional settings, we may not have a choice about those around us. We are often placed in positions where we must work with someone different from us. They think, talk, and look different than us, yet we must all work together.
![Diverse group of teammates](https://www.taproot.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Diversity-Group.png)
The diversity and work culture of a team can be challenging. Although some teams are formed voluntarily, others are mandatory. So, what is the master plan behind all this team building? Should grouping people based on age, ethnic background, salary, or other common personal factors form teams? Would that make the team? According to this Communication Coach, no.
Here is my definition of a team (no offense, Oxford): “a diverse set of individuals comprised to work collectively on a single effort.” The key word here is “diverse.” Diversity in teams covers many dynamics. It pertains to a person’s knowledge, experience, training, ideologies, communication styles, gender, and even their culture.
We will often associate with people socially and professionally because it is comfortable to be around them. Because we don’t have to adapt, there is little adjustment and even less growth. Diversity is an advantage for a team.
Strive to get the most out of your teams by capitalizing on what makes each member different. Accept and respect the differences in others. Learn to maximize each person’s unique strengths and compensate for their weaknesses. As each individual gets stronger in their skills, the team will amplify.
Attend the 2024 Global TapRooT® Summit and Pre-Summit
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To learn more about Vincent Phipps and his Pre-Summit course “Effective Communication Certification,” visit our Pre-Summit web page.
Our annual Summit and Pre-Summit will take place on April 29 – May 3, 2024, at the Horseshoe Bay Resort near Austin, TX. The week will be full of professional development, RCA best practice sessions, prizes, and more! The 2024 Global TapRooT® Summit is the ca n’t-miss conference of the year if you are involved in root cause analysis in any way. CLICK HERE to learn more about pricing, speakers, schedule, and ROI.
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