A current study of the effects of language usage on team deliverables

This dissertation addresses the problem of effective team communication by investigating team success, or lack of success, from the perspective of whether the way team members use and interpret the English language affects the successful or unsuccessful outcome of the team's work. The difference between the focus of this paper and others is the level at which the subject is investigated. This paper attempts to look at language usage, specifically words and phrases used in a company setting, in attempting to communicate ideas.;Teams always run the risk of making decisions or taking action based on bad data resulting from poorly communicated ideas between sender and receiver. The first step in the process of addressing this issue is to determine if it exists to the extent that it has a negative effect on the team's work products. This informs the selection of the following research questions: (1) Do teams that do complete their work have a common understanding of words, terms or phrases? (2) Do teams that do not complete their work not have a common understanding of words, terms or phrases? (3) Do teams that cost their company loss in time not have a common understanding of words, terms or phrases used by the team? (4) Do teams that cost their company loss of money not have a common understanding of words, terms or phrases used by the team? (5) Is the lack of a common understanding of words, terms or phrases a significant cause for company teams not completing their work?;The method used to capture information was a 5 question survey given to 63 participants from a broad range of business categories. The overall conclusion drawn from this survey is that the participants affirm the proposition that using a common language (words, terms and phrases) in a team setting is an important element in successfully completing their assigned work.