Your team is struggling with communication breakdowns. How can you navigate strategic decisions effectively?

Plan. Process. Responsibility. Tool. Timing. Review. I use this (P2R/T2R) model to ensure multiple projects are executed smoothly. Begin with the plan. Everyone should be crystal clear about the plan, the process and their responsibilities. Next identify and communicate the one tool that will be used to keep information flowing. Do not use multiple tools! What is the frequency and period of reviewing the process must also be clarified. It never fails to work.

Identify the root cause of the communication issues. Use techniques like paraphrasing, summarizing, and asking open ended questions and encourage active listening by everyone. Be transparent with your team members and proactively answer their questions and encourage the same with the rest. Create a culture of open dialogue and encourage feedback from all team members. You can do this through regular check-ins with the team. Define ways of working and how communication is more effective for the team members. Is it a meeting, a chat, an online meeting? Establish psychological safety so the team is comfortable speaking up and making decisions as a whole, providing context about why they support (or not) the decisions made.