When Communication Falls Apart

I'm sure like me, you too would've come across a number of wise heads, holding an astoundingly impressive amount of professional experience and academic achievements, on LinkedIn. I feel appeased, especially when such people spare out time and share the vital learnings which helped them outperform in all given situations. 

And, one subject that almost each of them has spoken about is "Essentiality of communication". They consider the lack of communication amongst the team members, of any given set up, as one of the greatest deadly sins and also the birth cause of all other workplace problems which do eventually crop up. 

Yet, what I fail to understand is why despite almost all of us following the same thought and leadership influencers, tend to drastically differ in our implementation of what we collectively absorb from the learnings that these wise heads make a point to be vocal about. 

Personally, I feel that more than a hall full of spacious cubicles, funky bean bags, branded coffee machines, official merchandise and supportive MacBooks, team members in order to grow collaboratively and contribute significantly, need to first and foremost communicate. And, communicate properly following the standard protocols.

Now, the manner of internal and external communication agreeably varies from industry to industry. But, what baffles me, time and again, is the bizarre communication methodology picked up by Startups with an excuse that following the traditional protocols is boring and not-enough-cool. That it is really important to go a step forward and informally engage along with the team so as to encourage them to achieve set milestones.

But, what such startups (Exceptions are always there) don't understand is that by haphazardly communicating (Whatsapping instead of emailing or phone calling or meeting in person) they actually end up ruining a handsome amount of progressive possibilities. By doing so, they ignorantly weave a cobweb of misinformation and confusion which eventually hampers and discourages the team members to take the matter with required gravity and execute the task in due accordance. 

To be honest, when miscommunication in a manner of above-mentioned, happens repeatedly then it automatically gives a really casual impression on the company's front which leads to disappointments and delays in the achievement of organizational goals. 

However, just like Brian Tracy, a Candian- born American Author, and Speaker, I optimistically believe that our future depends on the constructive efforts we make in our present. Tracy in regards to communication states- Communication is a skill that you can learn. It's like riding a bicycle or typing. If you're willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.

Which is why I would like to list 5 basic things to avoid- 

1) Avoid making delay in response, by all means.

2) Avoid breaking self-made interaction promises.

3) Avoid sharing important bits of information over text messages. 

4) Avoid using jargons while communicating over the email, phone call, or even in person.

5) Avoid communication void from taking place. 

Having hinted upon the usual communication glitches, I would now like to acquaint you with a mindful quote by Paul Graham, founder of startup accelerator Y Combinator.

A startup is a company designed to grow fast. Being newly founded does not in itself make a company a startup. Nor is it necessary for a startup to work on technology, or take venture funding, or have some sort of "exit." The only essential thing is growth. Everything else we associate with startups follows from growth.

Knowing and interacting, on a regular basis (It's understandable that startups initially have a small team, members of which have many pressing matters to focus upon, but skipping regular dialogue is in no way a great idea), with all members of your team is not just a humane thing to do, but is also quite essential to maintain the growth equilibrium and to drive the company like a rocket to achieve the ultimate milestone.