Effective team communication is essential for maximizing productivity, motivation, and success in any business. It is also key for building and maintaining strong professional relationships across all levels.
Taking the time to improve on, and investing in, your office communication will build trust amongst all employees; which has a direct effect on increasing levels of efficiency and team morale.
Someone who communicates effectively with colleagues and customers is an asset in any organization, and what better way to teach someone that skill than to offer a shining example of what great communication looks like?
Poor communication will result in unnecessary conflict, low morale, and motivation; which will lead to higher levels of unhappiness and resignation.
This is why communication is so important and totally undervalued by many businesses.
Here are just a few of the reasons why effective team communication is crucial in business:
Builds a winning team
An effective team depends entirely on how each member of the team communicates and collaborates with one another.
An ineffective team usually consists of one or more people that don’t understand each other, dislike each other, or are afraid to approach others – all of which can be resolved by knowing how to communicate effectively with different personalities.
So if you want a winning, cohesive, unstoppable team, then you need to begin by teaching them the art of effective communication.
This will help them be more efficient in their role, and feel happier at work, too.
Ensures everyone feels heard
High on the list of employee of reasons for employees feeling frustrated in their job is not being listened to, or feeling like their opinion matters. Whether that’s offering a new strategy or way of working, or even a complaint they need to make.
Everyone deserves to be heard – no business should feel like a dictatorship – and effective communication ensures this happens.
This not only increases overall employee satisfaction, but it also means the business benefits from potential new ways of working offered by employees, that are more effective than the old ones currently in place.
Encourages innovation
If an employee is afraid to voice his or her opinion out of fear of being shut down or ridiculed, then they’re unlikely to risk the bother of bringing their idea to the table. It’s much easier to stay quiet and carry on.
But the trouble with this is it stifles innovation, initiative, and creativity – three things which can be invaluable to the growth and success of any business.
A business which actively encourages communication, and does it effectively, is far more likely to see high levels of all three of these things and be much more likely to thrive.
Creates strong and effective managers
Effective communication between a business owner and their managers creates and empowered and effective team of managers, who are also strong communicators. This means that these managers are then able to effectively communicate with their teams, and this positive cycle continues as new managers rise up from the ranks.
Managers have to deal with tasks such as delegation, relationship building, motivation, and conflict management, all of which become much easier tasks when you’re a strong and effective communicator.
Communicating effectively is not just about speaking to people; it’s just as much about empowering them to communicate effectively with each other.
Goals are clearer and more reachable
When goals, projects, and expectations are communicated clearly and effectively, goals – even big ones – become less intimidating, and easier to achieve.
Breaking down a big goal into smaller, bite-size chunks and mini goals is key to keeping a team motivated and thriving. Dividing the workload fairly based on each person’s unique skills and qualifications also help to ensure no one person feels entirely responsible for any given task.
Effective communication will help managers understand the individual talents of their team members, and play to their strengths. This ensures minimum levels of stress and maximum levels of output.
Helps build real relationships
Strong communication skills are key to building trust amongst team members, which creates a happy and positive working environment for real relationships to form and grow. These relationships are nothing but positive for any business.
In any business, you’re likely to have a wide range of different personalities, talents, and temperaments working alongside each other. If they are unable to communicate effectively with each other, conflict and clashes can easily arise.
When teammates get to know each other well, they understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and ways of working; helping them work together towards a bigger goal. This removes friction and increases job satisfaction for both people involved. This is likely to have a positive ripple effect on the rest of your team and lead to higher job retention levels.
Creates a culture of celebration and success
Communication isn’t solely about setting tasks and goals, or managing problems when they arise. It’s just as much about taking the time to praise and encourage team members and leaders who have done a great job.
Not only does this make the ones being praised feel appreciated and valued, but it also creates a wider culture of celebration throughout your business. This inspires everyone to do their best, and continue growing and moving forward with you.
Reduces conflict
Having a number of different people working towards a common goal is likely to create conflict at some point or another. This may be due to expectations being too high, poor skills, or clashing of preferred processes.
Strong team communication allows all employees to be heard, in a safe and supportive environment. This encourages everyone to speak up, and be open and honest, in a tactful and respectful manner; diffusing conflicts and minimizing them in the future.
How can you create more effective team communication in your business today?
- Show appreciation
- Celebrate success often
- Make sure everyone has a voice and is heard
- Have regular team building activities
- Use effective and appropriate tools for communication
- Create and encourage a friendly and approachable atmosphere
Book a discovery call now or contact us at 1300 459 302 and get one on one advice from our business experts here at UpCoach and learn how to create more effective team communication in your business.
