Every person is unique and brings their set of abilities and working styles to the table, such as the situation in life and, therefore, in your regular office. But unlike our day-to-day, we don’t always end up working with people with whom we’re a good match, and that might amount to some communication issues in an office setting.
That being said, developing a forward-thinking and successful business requires a diversified workplace where people feel comfortable in every aspect ranging from simple discussion to discussing ideas and testing new techniques. Leading to our main point, and that is – one of the most important aspects of success is team communication.
It’s perhaps the most crucial weapon in your arsenal as a project manager. It should constantly be at the top of your priority list to find new strategies to improve communication and uplift the team. And no, it’s not all about just talking; we’re all capable of talking, but efficient communication means more than that. It’s all about speaking with a goal in mind and expressing information clearly and concisely.
So, in the effort to help better every team out there, let’s look at six techniques to increase team communication.
1. Schedule Regular One-on-One Meetings
Even if you have an “open-door” policy in place for your staff, some will prefer to speak in a more private setting, particularly at work. Whether you choose a weekly or monthly one-on-one, make sure it’s marked on your calendar as a regular event. It’s fine to miss a meeting now and again, but always notify the other person first.
If you regularly delay or cancel one-on-one meetings with your staff, it gives the impression that you don’t respect their time or ideas, which, in the end, only undermines trust and leads to a breakdown in communication. It might be difficult to regain that level of trust and communication once lost. So, keep this in mind, and set aside time for one-on-ones.
2. Feedback Is Key
It’s no secret that many people are afraid of receiving feedback for fear of it being negative. But when it comes to building a strong team, you should embrace it with open arms. Feedback should be given in both directions. It might be providing critical feedback on previously submitted work, pointing out ways to enhance one’s writing, or just offering advice on how to manage time better.
By providing feedback yourself, you can inspire others to do so. You should provide and receive feedback and encourage others to do likewise. Increased team communication, productivity, and an overall better work atmosphere can be achieved by creating an environment where everyone feels free to contribute.
3. Open Communication
It’s critical for a manager to lead from the front and foster an atmosphere where open communication is the norm. Be personable, open to questions, and never pass judgment. Discounting difficulties brought to you by your employees without knowing why they feel a certain way is the surest method to keep them from contacting you with their concerns or troubles in the future.
Encourage your team to talk about what concerns them. It encourages everyone to become a valuable contributor, which boosts team morale. If you’re not sure how everyone feels, participating in informal and social activities can sometimes be a good approach. You can then, after you’ve seen that an employee is perhaps acting less interested, reach out in a bit more formal context to hear their comments.
4. Explain Why Something Needs to Get Done
One of your top tasks as a leader is communicating how everyone’s part contributes to a greater whole. Giving a job to an employee without explaining why it’s necessary or how it fits into the greater picture is a proven way to irritate everyone. We need to feel like we’re contributing to something greater than ourselves for our job to be more meaningful.
Perhaps you’ve asked someone to go back and rewrite a few dozen year-old articles. It’s not the most exciting job, but what if you explain that it’s part of a necessary SEO rehaul to help the company meet its yearly goals? By prioritizing honest communication, you’ve transformed a seemingly pointless chore into something of value for everyone involved.
5. Communication Skills Training
Communication training courses are frequently overlooked and dismissed as a waste of time. Most communication courses, on the other hand, go beyond the basics.
It might not be for everyone, but it’s worth considering. We recommend you take this step if there is noticeable animosity within the team or if you just can’t seem to find a common tongue. Some may think it’s a bit out there but trust us; it can do wonders.
6. Team Building
Team building exercises are a great method to foster friendship and trust among coworkers. They’re also a fun approach that boosts workplace communication.
Bringing everyone together in a more casual environment can break down previously built barriers and help in boosting idea exchange. Choose a pleasant activity, add a team lunch, allow your team some time to enjoy, and your team will be stronger as a result. If you have a hybrid team, you can also host a virtual team building event to help everyone get to know each other.
One Step at a Time
Building a strong team can be hard work. But whatever you do, always remember that open and honest communication is key, and employees don’t feel valued; they’re way less likely to perform well or even stay with the company long term.
