2. • Who is responsible for project team
communication?
Project Manager
Project Team
Polling Question
3. “The two words
‘information’ and ‘communication’
are often used interchangeably,
but they signify quite different things.
Information is giving out,
Communication is getting through.”
---SydneyJ. Harris
4. • Personality styles of the people involved
• Technology - Available and Preferred
• Logistics - Who, How Many, Where
• Culture - Organizational Protocol,
Generational Preferences
Communication Influencers
14. I is focusing on the internal world: thoughts,
emotions, experiences
E is focusing on the outside world: other
people, events, actions, things
Extravert (E) Introvert (I)
EI
SN
TF
JP
The direction of our attention
and energy
Extraversion & Introversion
20. Extraverts – Talk it Out
• Prefer to communicate by talking
• Think out loud; talk through ideas
• Learn by doing or discussing
• Have broad interests
• Sociable and expressive
• Readily take initiative in work and
relationships
• Recharge by interacting with others
Extraversion Preference
25. Introverts – Think it Through
• Prefer to communicate in writing
• Think through ideas, then talk
• Learn best by reflection, mental practice
• Focus in depth on their interests
• May be seen as private and contained
• Take the initiative when the issue is very
important to them
• Use quiet time to recharge
Introversion Preference
26. Where do you focus your attention
and energy?
E_____________________________I
Extraversion or Introversion
27. Extraverts
Are accessible, get
people involved
More likely to show
enthusiasm, energy
Readily engage others
in discussion of ideas
More likely to interact
with team members
Introverts
Seen as good listeners
Think things through
before acting
Present well thought
out ideas
Generally appear calm
and focused
Strengths That Can Help
Team Communication
28. Extraverts
Thinking out loud can
confuse others
May not give Introverts
time for internal
processing
May act without internal
reflection
May vent emotions
without considering
effects on others
Introverts
May continue to think
when it is time to speak
May be excited about
project or task but less
likely to express it
Internal processing
excludes others’ input
“Out of the Blue”
decisions
Weaknesses That Can Impact
Team Communication
30. • Has the technology advancement and
availability of smart phones, e-mail,
teleconferencing, etc. increased project
communications effectiveness?
Yes
No
Polling Question
31. • Treat it like a document not a conversation
• Not for detailed, multi-party problem solving
• Use for direct one-way or two-way info sharing
• Use concise headings and text; put additional
info in attachments
• Balance e-mail with phone and face-to-face
communication (verbal & non-verbal
communication)
Improving E-mail Communication
32. • Extraversion Identifyers
– Conversational
– May not be clear – are
they giving directions
or brainstorming?
– Exclamation
points/emoticons
TIP: Review to ensure
that all wording is
necessary and that
intent and response
required is clear
• Introversion Identifyers
– Brief
– May leave impression
that they are not
inviting input
– Prolific/Strong when
issue is of great
importance.
TIP: Review to ensure
that brevity is not
misinterpreted and that
desired level of
input/response is stated
Tips - “Type In/Typing” Emails
33. • Send out agenda and any handouts or
information well ahead of time.
• Take roll call, introduce new parties as
they join.
• Clarify roles, agenda, and groundrules.
• Designate note taker, get notes out
immediately.
Improving Conference Calls
34. • Identify self when speaking,
address others by name.
• Set time limits for speaking.
• Keep background noise down
(paper, phones, etc.). Mute phone
when not speaking.
• Use Round Robins to balance
Extravert/Introvert participation.
• Say if you need to leave the call.
Improving Conference Calls
35. • Get agreement on agenda and
groundrules at start
• Define decision-making process at the start
• Review agreements at key points in meeting
• Check in regularly with the group, redirect focus
back to agenda and groundrules if necessary
• Listen when concerns are expressed
• Ensure balanced participation
• Follow through ASAP with clear documentation
of meeting actions, decisions and minutes
Improving Meeting
Communication
36. • One person speaks at a time, no interruptions and no
side conversations
• Raise your hand if you can’t get a word in
• Respect others’ points of view, focus on the issue not
the person
• Disagree without being disagreeable
• Speak up if the meeting or topic is getting off track
• If you don’t agree, speak up before moving to next item
• Speak up if you have a comment, suggestion or concern
• Turn cell phones off/or to vibrate (take calls outside
room if critical)
• Be on time after breaks
• Everyone is responsible for reinforcing the groundrules
Example Groundrules
37. • Clear statement of problem/opportunity
• Allow silent time to record ideas individually
• Write ideas verbatim on flipchart
• Collect ideas one at a time “Round Robin” to
balance participation of Extraverts/Introverts
• Prohibit censoring of ideas
• Allow clarification period
• Combine similar ideas
“Round Robin” Brainstorming
39. 1. The Lead Dog Has The Best View – Leading
Your Project Team to Success – Gordon Culp &
Anne Smith – ASCE Press
2. Project Team and People Management I & II
Webinar Series – Anne Smith – www.asce.org
On Demand Webinars
3. MBTI – Understanding Self and Others - Elena
Luctina (select slides used with permission)
4. Type Talk at Work – Otto Kroeger and Janet
Thuesen – Dell Publishing
References & Acknowledgements