What do you do if your executive team struggles with effective communication?

My experience is that a lack of communication is but a symptom of a deeper malaise that may be prevalent in the team and/or individuals. And it requires skill, practice and experience to identify the root cause of this symptom. One must not forget that you too, as the leader, may be contributing advertently or inadvertently to the lack of effective communication within the team. This calls for mindfulness on the part of the leader. Hence, a leader will do well to look within as well as observe the group processes playing out within the team to figure the 'Why?' behind the symptom of inadequate, ineffective communication within the team.

Hay un concepto llamado "Get in to the Balcony" que supone estar en el lugar de reunión, pero también fuera observando, para desde ese lugar, poder intervenir en la forma que necesite la dinámica de la reunión. Desde ahí he observado que el principal problema es que NO SE QUIERE/SABE ESCUCHAR. Los egos, falta de autoestima, necesidad de poder, o sesgos por el cargo, impiden escuchar lo que se dice y lo que no se dice. Y diría que esta habilidad sería la primera necesaria para una buena comunicación.

Cuando hablamos de comunicación, sin muchos los elementos que intervienen, pero creo que como jefe, hay dos ámbitos principales en los que se puede trabajar: 1.- PARTE TéCNICA: formar a mi equipo en oratoria, estructura, foco del mensaje… 2.- PARTE EMOCIONAL: cuando uno transmite PASIóN en lo que habla, el mensaje llega mucho más al receptor.

Whenever a team is beginning to go through the stages of solidifying; forming, storming and normalizing, one should ask how are we going to communicate, suggest one way, text, email, zoom meetings, it can only be one way otherwise the communication will break down. Now that all agree the best way for the team to communicate, leadership must demonstrate how communication is a two way street and suggestions, ideas and feedback are taken seriously. When a top down only is experienced, the team is destined for failure

Before addressing this issue with the team, reflect on how is your communication with the team. Is it effective (as it should be!), overbearing or just bland! Once you have done that, find out the reasons of the struggle within your team on communication. Most probable reasons would be: lack of openness, leadership style, trust factor with the leadership/management or the team, and lastly executives not having a clear vision or objectives. These factors can be addressed by the leadership over a period of time to ensure effective communication happening by the executive team.

From my experience, even before setting goals, start with desired outcomes. Understand and work with your client to have them visualize or imagine what effective communication looks and feels like in their map of the world. What is the result of their new communication skills? How has it improved their life, their relationships and their performance? This develops a clear mental image that will help them achieve their goals with more emotions connected to their WHY.

It’s simple. Set clear goals, non-negotiable tasks and have extreme accountability from a coach. Clear communication is vital to success.

Setting clear goals can be a game-changer for an executive team: 1. Fosters Alignment and Focus: Clear goals provide a shared purpose and direction, helping to align the team’s efforts and focus on critical priorities. 2. Enhances Clarity and Understanding: 3. Promotes Accountability and Ownership: Clear goals establish accountability by defining specific targets and deadlines. When 4. Encourages Regular Check-ins and Feedback 5. Facilitates Decision-Making and Problem-Solving: Clear goals guide decision-making and problem-solving by establishing priorities and resource allocation. 6. Strengthens Team Cohesion and Trust:

Establish clear communication goals and expectations for your executive team. Define the purpose of communication, the desired outcomes, and the roles and responsibilities of each team member. Ensure that everyone understands the importance of effective communication in achieving organizational objectives. Clear goals provide a framework for aligning efforts and measuring progress towards improving communication.

Me atrevería a retar esta idea cambiando la A de SMART. En lugar de "Alcanzables" diría "Ambiciosos". Es la diferencia entre los "roofshots" y los "moonshots". Retos ambiciosos hacen so?ar y desarrollar el ingenio y las habilidades de una forma que lo alcanzable no haría. ?La frustración? Es algo que se debe lidiar con ello para convertirla en aprendizaje y estímulo

Psychological safety is build when you replace judgement with curiosity, when you listen to understand and not to reply and when you make them feel seen, heard and understood. Vulnerability is not easy, especially at that level when they often have no choice than to appear strong with a poker face. So their time with you should be space where they can let go, be vulnerable and release their stress, tension and worries.

To foster openness while the team struggling with communication, prioritize creating a safe and inclusive environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves. Encourage active listening and empathy among team members. Implement communication training focused on techniques such as active listening, constructive feedback, and conflict resolution. Foster regular opportunities for open dialogue, such as team meetings, one-on-one discussions, or feedback sessions. Lead by example by demonstrating openness, vulnerability, and transparency in your own communication. Celebrate and acknowledge contributions from team members to reinforce a culture of openness and trust.

Communication breakdown in your executive team? Learn how fostering openness can transform your team dynamics and drive success. Encourage Transparent Dialogue: Create a culture where team members feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment. This openness fosters trust and enhances collaboration. Active Listening Practices: Ensure team members actively listen to one another, seeking to understand before being understood. This practice promotes empathy and reduces misunderstandings. Fostering openness in your executive team can improve communication, strengthen relationships, and drive better business outcomes.

En Netflix se ha implantado una cultura de transparencia total. Lo resumen en la siguiente frase: "trabajas para tu empresa, no para tu jefe". Ello viene a significar que si ves algo que no va bien y no informas, estás faltando al compromiso con tu organización. La transparencia nos muestra la realidad. Sin ella, estamos ciegos. Ahora bien, para ello se necesita una cultura que lo permita, y mucha humildad y curiosidad por parte de todos los integrantes para proteger la valentía de decir lo que no gusta.

Establishing a safe space for executives to express ideas and concerns is paramount. Encourage vulnerability as a strength through team-building exercises or retreats dedicated to fostering trust and open communication. An executive coach can facilitate these sessions, offering a neutral platform for leaders to practice openness without fear of judgment. Cultivating psychological safety is vital for nurturing a culture of effective communication among executives.

These tools should be considered: 1. Communication Tools: email, instant messaging, videoconferencing, and collaboration platforms 2. Project Management Software: Asana, Trello, and JIRA 3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Salesforce or HubSpot 4. Data Analytics and Business Intelligence: Tableau, Google Analytics 5. Cloud Computing: AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure 6. Cybersecurity Tools 7. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): SAP or Oracle 8. Mobile Technologies: Smartphones and tablets 9. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: ChatGPT, Claude 10. Learning Management Systems (LMS): Coursera for Business or LinkedIn Learning

Leverage technology and communication tools to facilitate collaboration and information sharing within your executive team. Use project management software, messaging platforms, and video conferencing tools to streamline communication and ensure that everyone stays informed and connected, especially in remote or geographically dispersed teams. Choose tools that align with your team's preferences and workflow to maximize adoption and effectiveness.

Practice not only communicating, but also help them to change their mindset. I worked with someone who was convinced that they were not a great presenter. The power of the words 'I AM' are often underestimated. They changed the way the viewed themselves, they chose their words carefully and they practiced speaking to a camera, to a mirror and people they felt comfortable with. Soon, effective communication was achieved because people around them started to act differently in a conducive way.

The bad news is that communication affects everything in you company- Strategizing, goal setting, motivation, monitoring, result achievement. Communication is the lubricant of your company's machinery. If that is bad it impacts every part of the machine. The good news is that communication is a skill that can be learnt. Bring in good communication trainers. Help your executives learn every aspect- communicating with customers, listening, using EI while communicating, body language, etiquette, how to conduct meetings. Do not leave it at one training. It must be repeated and communication behavior should be observed till it does become effective. And, as a leader set an example of being effective in communication.

Is poor communication hindering your executive team's success? Discover how regular practice can transform your team dynamics and drive effective communication. Team members engage in role-playing scenarios that simulate real-life communication challenges. This practice helps them understand different perspectives and improve their communication skills. Conduct regular feedback sessions, during which team members provide constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement. Regular practice is critical to improving communication within your executive team. You can enhance your team's communication skills and drive tremendous success by engaging in role-playing exercises and feedback sessions.

Communication skills, like any other skill, improve with practice. Provide opportunities for your executive team to practice effective communication through role-playing, simulations, or team-building exercises. Encourage them to actively participate in meetings, presentations, and discussions, and provide constructive feedback to help them refine their communication style. Regular practice helps reinforce communication habits and builds confidence among team members.

Continuously monitor and evaluate your team's communication performance and be willing to adapt your approach based on feedback and results. Reflect on what is working well and what could be improved, and make adjustments as needed. Solicit input from team members on ways to enhance communication effectiveness and be open to experimenting with new strategies and techniques. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, you can gradually overcome communication challenges and strengthen your executive team's ability to communicate effectively.

I recommend the following steps: 1. Understand the communication issues' root causes. 2. Create a safe environment for an open and honest dialogue about the communication issues. 3. Clearly define what effective communication looks like for your team. 4. Invest in communication skills training for the team. 5. Model the communication behaviors you want to see in your team. 6. Conduct regular feedback and check-ins. 7. Use technology to facilitate better communication. 8. Encourage team-building activities. 9. Continuously monitor the effectiveness of communication within the team and be willing to make adjustments as needed.

"If the executive team struggles with effective communication" is a very vague question. Does this relate to communication with the board, among each other, to the staff, otherwise? As executives to an organisation, they need to ensure clarity of direction as individuals and as team. This requires that they effectively and efficiently "function" on both levels. As executive coach, we work with individuals in confidential spaces, allowing for each executive to work on themselves and their way of, style, competences, skills for clarity, preciseness etc. Team coaching / board coaching ensures they function as team.