You’re having trouble communicating with your team. What can you do to improve?

1 Assess your communication style

The first step to improve your communication with your team is to understand your own communication style and how it affects others. There are various tools and frameworks that can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses as a communicator, such as the DISC model, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or the Emotional Intelligence Quotient. By knowing your communication style, you can recognize how you tend to express yourself, listen, give feedback, and handle conflict. You can also learn how to adapt your style to different situations and people, and avoid behaviors that may cause problems or misunderstandings.

2 Listen actively and empathetically

The second step to improve your communication with your team is to listen actively and empathetically to your team members. Listening is not just hearing what others say, but also paying attention to their tone, body language, emotions, and intentions. Listening actively means asking open-ended questions, clarifying points, summarizing key messages, and acknowledging feelings. Listening empathetically means showing genuine interest, respect, and care for the other person, and trying to understand their perspective and needs. By listening actively and empathetically, you can build trust, rapport, and respect with your team members, and avoid assumptions, judgments, and biases.

4 Adjust your communication to the context

The fourth step to improve your communication with your team is to adjust your communication to the context of the situation and the audience. Communication is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather a dynamic and flexible process that depends on various factors, such as the purpose, the medium, the channel, the environment, and the culture. You should consider these factors before you communicate with your team members, and choose the most appropriate and effective way to deliver your message. For example, if you want to share a complex or sensitive information, you may prefer a face-to-face or video meeting over an email or a text message. If you want to communicate with a team member from a different background or culture, you may need to adjust your tone, style, or etiquette to avoid misunderstanding or offense.

5 Seek and provide feedback

The fifth step to improve your communication with your team is to seek and provide feedback regularly and constructively. Feedback is a vital part of communication, as it allows you to measure your progress, identify your strengths and areas for improvement, and learn from your mistakes and successes. You should seek feedback from your team members, your manager, and your clients, and be open-minded, curious, and appreciative of their input. You should also provide feedback to your team members, your manager, and your clients, and be specific, timely, balanced, and supportive of their development. By seeking and providing feedback, you can enhance your communication skills, performance, and relationships.

6 Resolve conflicts constructively

The sixth and final step to improve your communication with your team is to resolve conflicts constructively when they arise. Conflicts are inevitable in any team, as different people have different opinions, expectations, and interests. However, conflicts can also be opportunities for learning, growth, and innovation, if they are handled properly. You should approach conflicts with a positive and collaborative attitude, and use effective communication techniques, such as active listening, empathetic expression, assertive communication, and problem-solving. You should also avoid common communication pitfalls, such as blaming, criticizing, interrupting, or avoiding. By resolving conflicts constructively, you can strengthen your team cohesion, trust, and morale.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?