How To Improve The Communication Between Your Team Members
Bad communication is one of the leading causes of team failure. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 70% of all workplace problems are due to poor communication. And the costs can be high – a study by the Harvard Business Review found that dysfunctional teams cost companies $450 million per year in lost productivity. So, how can you improve the communication between your team members?
1) Use Technology
One of the best ways to improve communication is to use technology. This makes it easy for everyone in your team to stay connected and share information. And with different apps, software, and social media tools like Twitter and Facebook, there’s really no excuse not to take advantage of these modern methods of communication. Fortunately, there are plenty of technology options, including Skype for meetings and video chat, and Google Drive or Dropbox to share documents. You should also know that Microsoft Kaizala is an app designed to be used as a messaging tool for businesses. This app allows teams to coordinate activities, organize projects, and allocate work within the app, making it ideal for remote employees or teams. So, do your research and figure out which tools will work best for your business.
2) Be Open To Feedback
Effective communication requires that you be open to receiving feedback. After all, your employees are the ones who will be using the products and services you produce, so they know what works and what doesn’t. So how can you listen to their ideas? The first step is to conduct a number of informal surveys and quick polls on a regular basis. For example, you might ask for suggestions during one-on-one meetings or send out a questionnaire asking for their feedback about a new project or product. And when you do, be sure to give them quick response, so they know you considered their opinions.
3) Set A Clear Agenda For Meetings
Poorly run meetings can take up valuable time that should have been spent on other projects. So how can you ensure these team sessions are worth everyone’s while? Well, setting a clear agenda for each meeting can help. This should include any important facts about the topic to be discussed and a list of action items that will need to be completed in order to move forward. In addition, you might want to stick to the agenda by following a timeline and setting specific deadlines for each task. This can keep your team focused on the right things at the right times, which will help you avoid wasting time altogether.
4) Have Regular Team Building Activities
Team building activities can help strengthen relationships between your team members and improve communication within the group. This is because these sessions allow employees to get to know each other on a more personal level, which can make it easier for them to talk about sensitive topics. Plus, they give everyone the chance to relax and have some fun at work, which creates a positive environment that will leave your team feeling energized and ready to succeed. There are many different things you can choose for team-building activities such as sports days, scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, and more.
5) Do Fun Stuff To Boost Morale
Another important aspect of communication is morale, which refers to the emotional state that someone is in. If your team members square measure feeling down or unprovoked, it will be troublesome for them to speak concerning their concepts and opinions with others. This is why it’s important to make sure your employees are happy. You can do this by offering incentives and benefits that appeal to them, such as flexible working hours or company-sponsored team lunches twice a week. And providing perks like these can go a long way towards boosting morale.
6) Identify Group Leaders
When it comes to group projects, it’s important to identify group leaders who will be taking the lead. This is because having someone in charge will help others stay focused on the task at hand. This also means that you have to trust your leaders, so it’s important to select people who are dependable and dedicated. However, remember that each member of the group should have a chance to lead at least one project within the team.
7) Provide Regular Training Opportunities
People learn in different ways, so you should provide multiple training opportunities that cater to their specific needs. For example, you might promote ongoing learning by holding online seminars or webinars once or twice a week. You might also want to offer self-guided online learning by providing employees with access to eBooks and other resources. And of course, you might want to hold offline meetings for more practical or hands-on training sessions. There are many different ways to train people, so be sure to take into account your employees’ preferences and schedules before promoting a particular method.
8) Have An Open Door Policy
Last but not least is an open-door policy, which refers to a policy of employees being able to interact with their managers anytime. This allows them to communicate openly and honestly, which can help you quickly fix any problems or concerns that could be negatively impacting your work. In fact, this strategy is believed to have been the main reason behind the success of Google, as they allow anyone in the company to “walk into the office of their managers and discuss any idea they have.”
Do you want to know how to improve the communication between your team members? Well, if you set a clear agenda for each meeting, provide regular training opportunities, do fun stuff to boost morale, identify group leaders, have an open-door policy, and follow a timeline to set specific deadlines for each task, you should start seeing better results. Also, don’t forget to implement new technology solutions to enhance your team’s communication skills. By following these simple steps, you will be able to significantly improve your team’s communication. Hopefully, you now have all the information you need to do just that.