Uncertainty can create stress, confusion, and distrust among team members, affecting their performance and morale. As a leader, you need to communicate effectively with your team to help them cope with the challenges and achieve the goals. Here are some tips on how to improve team communication during uncertainty.
One of the main sources of uncertainty is the lack of clarity about what is expected from each team member and how they will be evaluated. To avoid this, you need to set clear and realistic expectations for your team, such as the scope, deadlines, deliverables, and quality standards of the projects. You also need to communicate how you will monitor and measure their progress and provide feedback and recognition. By setting clear expectations, you can reduce ambiguity and anxiety, and increase accountability and alignment among your team.
In cultivating a high-performing team, it is paramount to delve into the unique signature strengths and styles of each team member. This exploration extends to various dimensions, including conflict resolution approaches, recognition preferences, thinking styles, and levels of team engagement.
Take a page from the U.S. Army. 1) Ensure the task is received and understood, 2) provide subordinates the space and flexibility to get after the task, and 3) establish a culture that embodies the notion of “in the absence of orders, take appropriate action”. It’s also important to let your team know that you understand that things are uncertain, could change, and likely will. But in this, use this as an opportunity to promote the idea of “Sempre Gumby” (Always Flexible). This will help make your team resilient to unexpected change. But then celebrate their ability to do so after the task is complete. Remind them that uncertainty is an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Own the situation, don’t be a victim of it!
The process should be simple and easily understandable for the Goal to be achieved, the complete plan to be shared with team expectations, feedback monitoring scale..... Finally Trust your team
Acknowledge their uncertainty and then validate it through reassurance! Be consistent and transparent in your communication. Keep the team updated as soon as new information, good or bad becomes available to you. Of course, discretion is key. Though, ensure you’re timely in your communication. Worst than uncertainty is the team coming into the know through team gossip or the grapevine. As by this time, it may be difficult to communicate effectively! Lastly, be opened, be available and be compassionate.
Different team members may prefer different communication channels, such as email, phone, video call, chat, or face-to-face. To ensure that everyone receives and understands your messages, you need to use multiple channels and tailor them to the situation and the audience. For example, you can use email for formal and detailed information, phone or video call for urgent and complex issues, chat for quick and casual updates, and face-to-face for personal and emotional conversations. By using multiple channels, you can reach your team more effectively and avoid misunderstandings and miscommunication.
In addition to using multiple channels, we should leverage different learning styles of the team members. So, a mix of visual, audio, and kinesthetic learning modes will help impact more members thereby making concise and clear #communication
Feedback is essential for improving team communication, as it allows you to understand your team's needs, concerns, opinions, and suggestions. You need to encourage feedback from your team by asking open-ended questions, listening actively, acknowledging their input, and acting on it. You also need to provide feedback to your team by giving constructive criticism, praising their achievements, and offering guidance and support. By encouraging feedback, you can build trust and rapport, and foster a culture of learning and improvement among your team.
I wasted a few years working with a founder that couldn’t take honest feedback of it didn’t fit his worldview. The result of his attitude was a culture of dishonesty, passive aggression and hidden problems. Subsequently the startup failed. A lesson I will never forget in my career: no company can success in the long term if the leadership is not ready for direct feedback
Actively solicit input from team members, fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. During uncertain times, open communication channels are crucial for addressing concerns and adapting strategies. In my experience, implementing regular feedback sessions has helped uncover valuable insights and strengthened team cohesion, leading to more effective problem-solving and decision-making.
Uncertainty can cause rumors, speculation, and misinformation to spread among your team, eroding their confidence and motivation. To prevent this, you need to share information with your team as much as possible, such as the vision, strategy, goals, challenges, opportunities, and changes of the organization. You also need to be transparent and honest about the situation, and admit when you don't have all the answers. By sharing information, you can keep your team informed and engaged, and create a sense of ownership and involvement among them.
Uncertainty can affect your team's emotions, such as fear, frustration, anger, or sadness. As a leader, you need to show empathy to your team by acknowledging their feelings, expressing your concern, and offering your support. You also need to be aware of your own emotions, and manage them effectively. By showing empathy, you can create a positive and supportive atmosphere, and help your team cope with the uncertainty and stress.
Acknowledge and understand the feelings and concerns of team members during uncertain times. Take the time to listen actively, validate their emotions, and offer support where needed. Demonstrating empathy fosters trust and strengthens team cohesion, creating a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and understood. In my experience, showing empathy has helped build stronger connections with team members, promoting open communication and collaboration even in the face of uncertainty.
Uncertainty can make your team feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and discouraged. To counter this, you need to celebrate success with your team by recognizing their efforts, achievements, and contributions. You also need to celebrate the small wins, such as completing a task, solving a problem, or learning a new skill. By celebrating success, you can boost your team's morale, confidence, and satisfaction, and motivate them to keep working hard and striving for excellence.
Recognize and acknowledge achievements, no matter how small, to boost morale and motivation within the team. In times of uncertainty, celebrating milestones and accomplishments can provide a sense of accomplishment and progress, fostering a positive work environment. From my own experience, celebrating even minor victories has been instrumental in maintaining team morale during challenging periods, fueling enthusiasm and momentum for future endeavors.
Here’s John Amaechi’s metaphor of the torch & the lighthouse: He says we have to imagine that we’re walking in a coastal forest. It might be a familiar coast to us, and we’re walking but it’s completely dark. We know there is a cliff somewhere. It’s dark so we have to think about 2 things: the torch and the lighthouse. The torch is the idea that we have a group of people following us. We can see at least 5 feet ahead and we use our torch to illuminate the way, so everybody can see the next few steps. But our team also needs a lighthouse. They need to see, every once in a while, that light illuminating the broader area to know they’re moving in the right direction. As leaders, we have to be the ones who illuminate the way frequently.