Team Communication is Key

Businesses today are slowly realizing the importance of communication and teamwork within the workplace.

Whether it’s in the retail or healthcare sector, communication is key to all aspects of a business e.g., improving productivity, upgrading products and services, as well as boosting customer satisfaction levels. 

That said, not all companies have the same level of dedication and skill when it comes to effective communication. 

If you’re struggling to get your team on the same page, we hear you. 

In this article, we talk about team communication, why it’s important, and how to improve it using tried and tested techniques from experts. 

Practice proper goal-setting

A large component of growing your team communication skills is having a goal to follow and achieve. 

Focus on creating goals that will foster understanding and teamwork between your teammates. Encourage collaboration where possible. 

While setting goals is a way to keep everyone on the same page, you can also use goal-setting to figure out which aspects of your team needs improvement. 

Set aside time for practice

Team communication is a skill — and like all skills, communication takes time and practice to perfect. Set aside time for you and your teammates to practice how to communicate with each other.

Try to use the most up-to-date technology to achieve your goals much faster. 

Does your job require you to chat or email your teammates a lot? 

Take advantage of the tools that you have at work. Communicate with your teammates using this equipment as much as you can. 

Furthermore, try and find ways that make communication much easier and achievable for everyone. 

Clear and concise

Business is a fast-paced world, and you don’t want unclear, confusing conversations to set you back on your projects and deadlines. That said,  you also don’t want to set people back on their schedules. 

Practicing how to communicate clearly and concisely with your teammates will eventually save everybody time. 

Furthermore, it will ensure that the core of your message will be understood by everyone, without much need for deeper elaboration. 

Keep the purpose of your communication solid, regardless of whether you’re communicating personally or digitally, 

Be respectful

Ideas and beliefs are bound to clash in certain situations, especially when you’re working in teams. The key is to understand that not everyone thinks or feels the same way.

Respect should always be practiced during conversations, to avoid complicated and harmful arguments. 

Arguments can very easily destroy team bonds and create tension within the group. It affects everyone in the team, not just the two or three people who are in an argument. 

If you’re communicating online, protecting your teammate’s data is also a way of showing respect. Therefore, choose tools that protect your team’s sensitive information during online conversations via social media, chat applications, or email.

Learn how to diffuse conflict

Sometimes, conflict and misunderstandings can be inevitable. In those situations, the only way you can avoid escalating things is by knowing how to diffuse the tension.

There are plenty of ways to do that e.g., taking a few minutes to compose yourself or cracking a light joke to lighten the mood. 

You want your team to be a place where everyone can equally express themselves without having to worry about judgment or lash-backs. 

While it’s important that honesty be practiced in teams, make sure that you air out your opinions with a sense of tact and kindness. 

You don’t want to start another fight because of something you said that can be easily misunderstood.

Create a culture of celebration

Rewards are great and motivational — not to mention necessary if you want your team to continue getting along with each other.

Letting your team know about the great job they’ve been doing communicating is a great way to encourage them to keep at it. 

Acknowledge every milestone and achievement that your team can reach. Rewards don’t always have to be physical, it can also come in the form of praise and encouragement. 

Creating a culture of celebration in the workplace motivates your employees to keep upscaling their communication skills and become more effective teams. 

Model good communication

As a manager or supervisor, it is your responsibility to show your employees the skills and characteristics you want them to display. That goes for team communication skills as well. 

Be a good communicator in your own right and maybe your employees and teammates will follow suit. 

Having a solid basis for good communication can help them stay on track and get to the communication level that they need to be faster. 

The Bottom Line 

Communication is one of the most important skills any person needs in their life. It’s what helps us start and maintain relationships with people in our surroundings.

Without proper communication, there wouldn’t be any order in society. People would more constantly get into arguments and nobody would get anything done in the end. 

As much as possible, practice your and your team’s communication skills, to ensure that your group can keep up with the growing demands of your business landscape and customers.