The Team Success Blueprint: 3 Simple Steps to Transform Communication Breakdowns Into Productivity

Have you ever wanted to enable your team to do their best work but found that communication breakdowns and lack of data-driven decisions were holding you back? If so, you aren’t alone.

As a leader, fostering an open culture of communication about challenges and issues is crucial for success. But our brains often resist open communication about problems because we tend to take it personally.

When I first started leading my team, everyone seemed to complain about the effects of our problems, but no one was tackling the causes.

As a psychologist, I noticed that the issues and challenges they were facing were often responses to our learned behavior and habits. This led teams to be indecisive, avoidant, or in conflict, resulting in delays and a decrease in overall productivity. This experience opened my eyes to the importance of open communication in how teams make decisions.

It turns out my team wasn’t the only one struggling. According to Deloitte's Global Human Capital Trends, $1 trillion is lost in the global economy each year due to lost productivity, highlighting the critical need for effective problem-solving and decision-making processes.

This realisation led me to delve into the psychology of teams. Enhancing team performance is not just about communication; it’s also about the systems in place to clarify goals, measure and reward progress, and structure problem-solving processes.

1. Foster an Open Culture of Communication

Create an environment where team members feel comfortable discussing their challenges openly. Encourage open communication to allow your team members to share their problems without fear of judgment. This helps in quickly identifying issues and builds a supportive team environment.

I was working with a bank who had been working on a transformation project where the commercial leads and the IT team were developing upgraded software. The commercial team had clear needs but didn’t understand what was possible from the IT perspective. After 14 months of little progress, it was evident that communication was the issue.

The IT team felt unheard and worked on tasks they knew were impossible, wasting millions. By fostering open communication, the leaders learned to listen to each other, leading to better project outcomes.

2. Implement a Systematic Process for Problem-Solving

Establish a clear and consistent method for identifying, discussing, and solving issues. A systematic approach ensures that every problem is addressed methodically. This includes setting clear goals, tracking progress, discussing ongoing issues, brainstorming solutions, and following up to ensure resolution.

In a family-owned consumer product company spanning three generations, outdated methods and unclear roles caused ongoing problems. Implementing systematic processes helped clarify responsibilities and improve problem-solving efficiency.

3. Utilise Data Effectively

Set up systems for collecting and analyzing data to make informed decisions and track progress. Data-driven decision-making is crucial for improving team performance. Implement systems to collect relevant data and analyze it to track your team's progress and make necessary adjustments.

A food services business had loads of data but didn’t know what to focus on. By refining their team metrics and focusing on relevant data, they boosted sales significantly.

You can’t simply foster open communication, implement new systems, and start using data effectively without considerable effort. It requires dedication, strategic planning, and ongoing support.

Taking the Next Steps

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re not getting the most out of your team and want to enable them to do their best work, let’s talk. Whether you’re running a large enterprise or a small business, we have solutions tailored for you.

• Large Enterprises: Schedule a call with us today to discuss how we can help develop your teams and leaders to navigate more effectively.
• Small Businesses: Get on the waitlist for our Smooth Sailing Program. We have helped clients 2-4 x their sales while working less.

Don’t waste another second. Time’s ticking—let’s set sail towards greater productivity and success.