What do you do if your team's communication is hindering meeting deadlines as a leader?

Root cause and asking ' How come this is happening' is an important start. Without this we don't know how to fix it, offer solutions, train the team or role model what is important. - Sit in on meetings- it reveals a lot . Breakdowns, politics, poor moods. - Figure out what are the equations on teams and between teams if needed. Personal egos and assessments can get in the way of what and how much is communicated. - Teach some base skills in a meeting emphasising where you would use what approach - Take feedback from relevant stakeholders including juniors about what is going on. This helps us guide a team better - Establish a simple 5 point team communication charter. Guidelines that we stay committed to and are non negotiable.

On le dit souvent mais on ne répètera jamais assez : l'humain est au centre de toute entreprise, ce qui a pour corolaire l'interrelation entre les collaborateurs et donc la communication. Les difficultés de communication sont causes de la majorité des problèmes rencontrés en entreprise. Je constate souvent avec mes clients le décalage qui existe entre ce qu'ils ont dans la tête qui est souvent assez clair pour eux et l'absence d'explicitation de ces pensées. Identifier ce problème majeur permet de le résoudre : il s'agit de PASSER DE l'IMPLICITE A L'EXPLICITE ! Partager l'information, ses convictions, sa vision, son enthousiasme, ses attentes aide à fluidifier la communication et à désamorcer les tensions.

Identify the root cause of communication issues, such as unclear expectations, lack of a centralized communication channel, or team members not feeling heard. Implement a structured communication plan, setting clear objectives, preferred communication methods, and regular check-ins. Foster an open environment where team members feel comfortable expressing concerns and ideas. Utilize collaboration tools like project management software for transparency and accountability. Regularly reviewing and adjusting the communication strategy based on feedback and results leads to improved efficiency and meeting deadlines.

Identify the Communication Challenges: Conduct a thorough assessment to identify the specific communication challenges contributing to missed deadlines. This may involve observing team interactions, gathering feedback from team members, and reviewing past communication patterns and practices.

Clearly define project objectives, deliverables, and deadlines upfront. Ensure that every team member understands their roles and responsibilities, as well as the importance of timely communication in meeting project milestones.

Clarify Roles and Responsibilities: Ensure that each team member understands their roles, responsibilities, and expectations regarding project timelines and deadlines. Clarify any ambiguities or misunderstandings to avoid confusion and promote accountability. Establish Clear Communication Channels: Implement clear and efficient communication channels and protocols to ensure that relevant information is shared promptly and effectively among team members. This may include regular status updates, progress reports, and feedback sessions.

How we communicate is even more important than what we communicate. While we think what we say is paramount, in rich environments where people can see and hear you, body language and tone speak louder than your words. So the most important communication channel is the energy you bring. If you're stressed out, your tone and body language will convey stress, even if you're saying "everything is fine". Your stress is contagious, negatively impacting the biology and work of your team. Psychological safety is the #1 factor for the best-performing teams, so creating a norm where people feel safe to speak up vs. staying silent about what matters is key. Research shows this will lead to greater learning, innovation, and performance.

La base de la communication tient à la clarté des messages ainsi qu'à l'exemplarité en matière de prise de parole. Il est essentiel d'être cohérent et d'incarner la formule "JE DIS CE QUE JE FAIS, JE FAIS CE QUE JE DIS." Et puis n'hésitez pas à innover. Indiquez aux membres de votre équipe que votre porte est ouverte et proposez-leur par exemple des "OFFICE HOURS", créneaux de disponibilité inscrits dans votre agenda. Vos collaborateurs sont invités à venir vous rencontrer pour faire part de leur avancée, de leurs idées, des difficultés rencontrées et surmontées...Vous envoyez le message que vous êtes disponible tout en les responsabilisant : à eux de déterminer le rythme et la fréquence dont ils ont besoin.

Implement structured communication channels such as regular team meetings, project management tools, and collaboration platforms. Encourage open dialogue, provide updates on project progress, and address any challenges or roadblocks promptly.

Le feedback est un outil de développement et de cohésion extraordinairement puissant. Trop souvent on considère qu'il est simplement destiné à faire monter en puissance un collaborateur. Or, il permet de GRANDIR soi-même et de FAIRE GRANDIR l'autre. En effet, un feedback constructif demande un sens aigu de l'observation. Il se prépare, de construit, s'argumente. Voici les 4 ingrédients incontournables pour le réussir : - est donné peu de temps après l'événement - est factuel et contextualisé - met en valeur un socle de forces et de réussites sur lequel le collaborateur peut s'appuyer - donne des axes de progrès qui l'inscrivent dans une dynamique d'apprentissage et de développement personnel.

Encourage collaboration and cross-functional communication among team members. Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable reaching out to colleagues from other departments or teams for support and information sharing.

Set Realistic Deadlines: Collaborate with the team to set realistic and achievable deadlines based on the project scope, resources, and constraints. Avoid over-committing or underestimating the time required for tasks, as this can lead to frustration and missed deadlines.

Collaboration and feedback loop set the stage for project success. Collaboration brings diverse expertise and knowledge together, leading to more robust solutions and efficient problem-solving. Feedback and feedback forward process is powerful to ensure everyone has a voice to share, the end game is continuous improvement by addressing the real issues and refining the processes. In project management, celebrate small successes and recognise the effort of the team is definitely needed, motivation to move forward is key.

Offer constructive feedback and recognition for effective communication and timely contributions. Acknowledge team members who demonstrate proactive communication skills and collaborate effectively to meet deadlines.