Spotting the Patterns: How to Identify Communication Dynamics in Teams
Every team has a voice. Sometimes it’s clear and collaborative, other times it’s fragmented or strained. What often goes unnoticed, though, are the patterns beneath the surface—the recurring ways people interact, respond, and shape the flow of conversation. By learning to identify these communication patterns, leaders and teams can unlock new levels of trust, efficiency, and connection.
Why Communication Patterns Matter
Patterns in communication influence how decisions get made, how conflict shows up, and whether team members feel heard and valued. They can strengthen collaboration—or quietly erode it. Left unchecked, unhelpful patterns can limit innovation, foster tension, or create silos.
When we bring awareness to these dynamics, we gain the ability to:
Recognize unspoken rules guiding conversations.
Spot voices that dominate or disappear.
Shift conversations toward inclusion, curiosity, and effectiveness.
What to Look For
Here are a few key areas to notice when observing communication patterns in your team:
1. Participation Flow
Who speaks up most often?
Who rarely gets airtime?
Are ideas building on each other—or getting shut down?
2. Response Styles
Do people tend to support and expand on ideas—or critique and narrow them?
Is there space for disagreement, or is conflict avoided?
3. Action Types (from Structural Dynamics)
Conversations often cycle through different moves:
Move: Introducing a new idea or direction.
Follow: Supporting or building on the idea.
Oppose: Challenging or offering a counterpoint.
Bystand: Observing and naming what’s happening.
Balanced teams use all four. When one dominates (e.g., lots of opposing without following), the team can get stuck.
4. Underlying Operating System
Does the team lean more toward:
Open system: Dialogue and inclusivity.
Closed system: Clear rules and order.
Random system: Energetic, spontaneous, non-linear flow.
Recognizing the “system in play” helps leaders understand what’s driving communication—and whether it’s serving the group’s purpose.
How to Start Identifying Patterns
Observe more than content. Pay attention not just to what is said, but how it’s said, and in what sequence.
Map the conversation. Try noting action types—moves, follows, opposes, bystands—to see which dominate.
Ask reflective questions. “Whose voices are we not hearing?” or “What perspectives are missing?” can open space for balance.
Name what you see. Sometimes simply saying, “I notice we’re hearing a lot of opposing ideas, but not much following,” can shift a conversation.
The Payoff
Identifying communication patterns is about more than improving meetings—it’s about strengthening the team’s culture. When patterns become visible, teams can:
Move from reactivity to choice.
Create space for all voices.
Build psychological safety and trust.
Make decisions more effectively.
In short, awareness gives teams the power to change their conversations—and ultimately, their results.
👉 Want to help your team uncover its communication patterns and unlock healthier dynamics? I design and facilitate workshops that make the invisible visible—equipping teams with tools to transform the way they connect, collaborate, and succeed.
