2. Communication

Communication involves a full range of topics, including decision making and problem solving. Effective communication becomes easier once the team has developed a certain level of cohesiveness. Communication is, of course, key, since further team development and effective functioning cannot occur without team communication.

When a team is effectively communicating, team members:

• always freely say what they feel and think,
• are always direct, truthful, respectful, and positive,
• openly discuss all decisions before they are made, 
• handle conflict in a calm, caring, and healing manner, 
• openly explore options to solve problems when they arise,
• do not talk about each other behind their back, and
• do not have a hidden agenda.

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