―increase communication between teams‖ (S2.9), and we need to ―communicate better‖ (S2.15). Another participant put it succinctly, ―The most important thing about teamwork is communication‖ (S2.7). The significance of communication was further advanced when participants began connecting the importance of communication to the method of communication. One participant captured the essence of many other comments by saying, ―Face-to-face [communication] provides the opportunity . . . [to] clarify both parties‘ understanding‖ (I2).
Active listening. In the qualitative data, several participants saw a connection between face-to-face communication and active listening. One participant stated that team members needed to ―show respect to each individual and listen . . . to hear the other person‖ (S1.6). Other comments stressed the need for team members to ―listen, really listen‖ (I1) and to ―recognize other viewpoints‖ (I5). These statements were reinforced by I2 who exclaimed, ―If I understood your [needs] I might agree with you!‖ Similarly, I1 stated, ―If we listen there are opportunities to get people involved [in the conversation] . . . to foster an understanding about why something is important [and] to foster equality and importance for every idea.‖ Participant I2 pointed out that many good ideas never reach their full potential because team members can ―jump to their own conclusions based on their [own] biases.‖ The focus group participants agreed that active listening was the cornerstone to creating a work environment that supported different perspectives. One participant mentioned that the leadership team could be more ―mindful to the needs and wants of each team member by practicing active listening‖ (FG5). Participant FG3 added that the leadership team has ―an opportunity to walk the talk and . . . rather than assume that we are actually doing it [active listening] . . . we need to check ourselves . . . that we are being respectful of different perspectives.‖ Other participants added, ―All team members have a