You’re struggling to connect with your team. What can you do to improve communication?

Implement Reflective Listening: After a team member speaks, paraphrase what they've said to confirm understanding. This not only shows you're listening but also clarifies any misunderstandings immediately. Create Listening Circles: Periodically hold meetings where team members can share thoughts and feelings without interruption, fostering an environment where everyone feels heard.

I struggle at times with active listening and have to make a conscience effort; but in my line of work (end user support) it is something I work on daily. You have to hear and understand what your co-workers and users are saying and repeating back what they say has allowed me to be a better active listener

One of the most important components of emotional intelligence is active listening. While you may think, you've tried to best to encapsulate your team's ideas, sometimes the communication gap remains hidden. In fact, try to identify different channels of communication. Anonymous chits/feedbacks, personal e-mails, group-classification concerns etc At my organisation, we organise a fun activity at our monthly Townhall to understand everyone's requirements by asking for suggestions for improvement by making every team-member a manager of the organisation for the duration of the activity. You'll be amazed at how wonderful responses a mere change of communication channel can get.

Use the "Bottom Line Up Front" (BLUF) Method: Start communications with the most critical information or conclusion to ensure clarity from the beginning. Provide Written Summaries: After verbal discussions or meetings, send out concise summaries highlighting decisions, actions, and key points to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Match the Channel to the Context: Use instant messaging for quick, informal communications and reserve emails for more detailed, formal exchanges. Utilize video calls for discussions that benefit from face-to-face interaction. Establish a Communication Hub: Tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams can centralize communications, making it easier for team members to stay informed and engaged across multiple channels.

Foster an Inclusive Environment: Encourage sharing diverse viewpoints and experiences, showing appreciation for different perspectives. Practice Empathy: Regularly check in with team members about their workloads and well-being, offering support and adjustments as needed.

Put out an anonymous survey for your team. It gives them an opportunity to express their thoughts safely and you can then assess their feedback in a holistic way and communicate back what you have learnt and what you are going to implement to improve communication. Pulse checks are not just meant to be annual company-wide affairs - engage with and keep in close contact with your team.

Regular Feedback Sessions: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with team members to discuss communication effectiveness and areas for improvement. Create a Culture of Continuous Learning: Encourage the team to share resources, tips, and best practices for effective communication. Consider organizing workshops or training sessions on communication skills.

Transparency and Trust: Building a foundation of trust through transparency about company decisions, changes, and challenges can significantly enhance team communication. Recognize and Adapt to Communication Styles: People have different communication preferences and styles. Recognize these differences and adapt your approach accordingly to connect more effectively with each team member.