Over the course of the next week, observe a team that you are part of or interact with. Observe this team in meetings, through email or telephone exchanges, or other encounters. Try to identify symbols, signs, and behaviours that the team has adopted over time and uses in its communication style in order to accomplish its work.

Visit the Interactive Community and under the Folder Communication - Your Workplace post your own assessment of how your team is communicating. Try to identify ways in which your team is fostering and/or hindering effective communication.

Each team that you belong to may be at a different stage of development. You may be able to identify what stage your team is at by taking a close look at how you communicate as a group.

Login to the Interactive Community and under the Folder Communication - Your Work Team's Development post your thoughts and comments on the following:

• What team development phase, according to Tuckman, would you say your team is in at the moment?
• How can your personal communication influence your team to move to the stage of "performing"?