The ABCs of Communication: How to Communicate with Your Team

The modern workplace constantly changes and adapts to new demands. New tools, methods, and procedures get introduced almost daily. As a result, teams must communicate efficiently and effectively in a multitude of ways. Communication is one of the essential skills for any person working in a team or as part of a larger organization.

Communication is about much more than just talking—it's about making meaning. It's about understanding what another person says and vice versa. It's about listening actively instead of passively and speaking clearly and concisely. It's also about saying exactly what you mean so your audience understands what you intend. All of it leads to having a well-balanced culture and team .

What is effective communication?

Effective communication is a two-way process of sending and receiving a message. There’s an assumption both parties understand content and context. When communication is effective, it means information gets exchanged accurately and in a timely manner. Communication involves speaking, listening, reading and writing, and using language and symbols (e.g., emojis). It also involves non-verbal communication, such as gestures or facial expressions. Consider it something like getting excellent at telling your brand story .

Why is effective communication important?

Communication is the foundation of all relationships. It’s the primary tool we use to share information, manage expectations, solve problems, and build trust. As a leader, your communication skills make the difference between a good relationship and a great one. So, when you communicate effectively, you share information meaningfully and effectively. As a result, you solve problems more quickly and efficiently and build more productive, effective, and long-lasting relationships. With a focus on improving communication, you can take your company to the next level and create a more positive culture.

Voice and tone

Your voice and tone are the first things your team notices when they speak to you. Tone and voice represent who you are as a person. So, it’s vital to make sure it’s positive and clear. You may have the best story in the world, but if your tone is angry or frustrated, it’s much harder for your team to stay engaged and understand the message. A clear, calm, and confident tone makes it much easier on the other side to keep on track. Make sure you are vocalizing your words in a way that’s easy to understand. Also, make sure you give yourself enough time to formulate your thoughts and speak them out loud in a clear and confident voice.

Be a good listener

The most critical communication tool you have is your ability to listen. To be an effective communicator, you must be an active listener . It’s not enough to hear what your team says—you must be fully engaged, fully present, and focused on the message they’re trying to communicate. So, give your full attention. That means no phones or other distractions and complete focus on the person speaking. Let their words sink in before you respond or ask questions. Nod your head, maintain eye contact, and give non-verbal signs that you’re waiting for them to finish speaking.

Be short and sweet

One of the fastest ways to lose your team's attention is to be long-winded. In today's business world, we often have a lot on our plate, so leaders need to the point quickly and efficiently. Moreover, you want to model that for your team. If you find yourself rambling on and on or have trouble getting to the point concisely, you risk losing the other person's attention. So, learn to make sure it's short and sweet. If you need more time to explain your idea thoroughly, an excellent technique is to ask for more time to explain your idea fully.

Be transparent

Transparency is being honest, open, and upfront with your team. It means you don’t have hidden agendas and are authentic and genuine. Being honest and transparent helps everyone make promises they can keep and helps everyone feel like a trusted and valuable team member. Be honest about the tasks on the plate and be clear about what’s your top priority. Don’t set false expectations or require things people can’t realistically deliver. Be transparent and upfront with tasks. For a team facing a tight deadline, ask them to inform you if they’re struggling with it for some reason.

Show, don’t just tell

Finally, if you’re pitching an idea, try using visuals. It helps get your message across quicker and more effectively. You may want to use employee evaluation tools if you're giving feedback. If you are coaching a team member, use different coaching models and tools. Visual props are a great way to show what you’re trying to say instead of just speaking it. Moreover, they’re beneficial for distributed teams.

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? 2022 Wayne Elsey . All Rights Reserved.