Here's how you can establish effective communication with your team members.

Communication is always a two-way approach. First listen, then understand and then speak. First by listening to others you will get information on multiple perspectives, then assess and understand the key and useful aspects from the ideas expressed by others, then form a view which best suits the situation and take the decision accordingly.

Establishing effective team communication involves open channels, active listening, clarity, adaptability, constructive feedback, collaboration encouragement, empathy, and consistent follow-up. By fostering these practices, teams can enhance understanding, trust, and productivity

Most important, be truly open to a variety of opinions. Shooting down ideas too quickly, discourages future risk taking and open communication. Instead, ask follow-up non yes/no questions. - Why do you think that is a good solution? - How do you think this would work? -What first step do you propose to make this work? When coaching a team-member after an issue, get them to think about the situation, what they learned, and how they will act differently next time. Encourage the team to be open to communicating potential issues when they can be dealt with. Better to catch the flicker of a flame, than have to fight an inferno later. I've learned plenty from my mistakes, especially from my leaders who had good communication.

You must be an effective member who delivers information to the team in a simple and uncomplicated manner. You must listen to team members in return, respect their opinions, and not criticize them. You should always motivate them and help them when they turn to you. Team engagement leads to the success of the mission.

As a healthcare provider, whether in retail, hospital, or clinical settings, your interaction with patients demands keen listening skills. It's crucial to fully understand their issues to devise effective solutions and perform root cause analyses to prevent recurrence. Active listening involves more than hearing words; it requires patience, allowing patients to express themselves without interruption, and interpreting body language to grasp unspoken concerns. This holistic approach to listening and observation is essential in developing a responsive and patient-centered care plan.

One of my personal challenges has always been wanting to present "all the data/facts". An early boss of mine would take an email and tell me, now cut that down to the main points. Be prepared with the rest of the data if you are asked follow up questions, but there is no need in many situations to present it all. When writing instructions for processes, remember not everyone has your background knowledge of the subject. Take the time to make clear, easy to follow instructions to get the process done. Make it clear, that you are happy to provide more info if needed or desired. As people learn, they'll come up with questions and it can help you to understand if they are truly understanding the process or just completing the steps.

Before taking any decision in the process or organization, it is always good to communicate the same with all the key stakeholders who will be affected because of taking decision. If there are any discrepancies or understanding gaps, need to be addressed on priority which is in the best interest of e everyone.

A LEADER is going to recognize when communication in/around the office begins to get oddly quiet. Like a parent who knows when there is "safe silence" and "not-so-safe silence" going on in the home. Just because things may be relatively quiet in the office does NOT mean that employees aren't talking - it may mean that they are just not talking with YOU. That should be concerning. Don't be afraid to check the pulse of the office by holding an impromptu luncheon or feedback event asking everyone to use the open/laid-back format as a means to openly share their experience(s). A well-oiled machine needs consistent upkeep and utilizing a cadence of open-forum communication that empowers others to use their voice builds that foundation.

With a small team, its critical to take the time to have those less formal one-on-one discussions. Spend that time to share your feedback when asked, but more important to help others to share theirs. Some people are more open to sharing their concerns when not on show in front of their peers. In a "focus group" setting, they might not say what they'd say if talked to personally. With your leaders, it is important to make sure that there is ongoing two way communication. This can be difficult when your boss these days could be half a world away. Ask questions and listen to the feedback without immediately defending. The time of feedback coming once a year during a "performance review" is hopefully soon behind us.

Working in a global organization can be a challenge as can working with diverse teams. Assuming everyone works like you do, or has the same cultural norms can cause immediate issues and even more long term impacts. Taking the time to learn how the team members prefer to communicate. Someone who is not a native language speaker, might prefer written communication and might not be comfortable with speaking in front of the team. Age differences can also play a role. Where someone is in their career and life impact their perspective. Seek out others who are at different places in their journeys to ask their perspective. Be respectful of cultural and background differences and use the chance to learn how other people think.

Digital communications including virtual meetings, text messages, and emails require extra effort to be successful. Being in a meeting with someone who is obviously multitasking while you are presenting is irritating. Don't do that to others. Understand cultural norms, especially in multi-national organizations, the slang and sayings you drop casually, might not come across the same way. When communicating with external or internal customers via email, be concise, be sure to answer the questions asked and most importantly if you need the time to resolve something, send the courtesy email stating that "I've received this and I'll get back to you soon with the answer". Then do it.

Builds trust: When you consistently communicate, your team learns to rely on you, like how a family trusts each other through open communication. Consistent communication avoids misunderstandings, like a team of chefs follows a recipe precisely to create the perfect dish. Team members are more likely to engage when communication is predictable, just as students are more attentive in a well-structured classroom. Consistent communication holds everyone responsible, akin to how a sports team holds each player accountable during regular team meetings and practices. Fosters collaboration: When communication is consistent, teamwork flows naturally, like a well-rehearsed dance performance where each dancer knows their role and timing.

Foster a culture of open communication where team members feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas. Encourage dialogue and collaboration, and welcome feedback from the team.