Expressing the requirements and goals of the company, to everyone, in an effective and constructive way will build a great relationship that results in achieving those goals. In addition to increasing productivity, it will inspire teams to become more involved and feel more comfortable contributing.
Here are some ways of encouraging effective communication:
1. Use the right tools
In this tech age, there are so many resources at your disposal to help you talk to your team, whether through email, a group chat, Zoom meetings, other apps, or even a phone call. Your team should always have access to leaders in the event of unexpected events in the workplace or when asking for help with small issues, and using an engaging and interactive platform (or combination of platforms) is a great way of keeping everyone involved and up-to-date. In the same way, leaders can keep their teams apprised of any changes that affect daily operations, as well as upcoming events and other company news. Maintaining an steady flow of information will help ensure that an operation runs smoothly and that team members feel supported. Make a point of reaching out and deciding what method members feel more comfortable using.
2. Give specific feedback
Employees sometimes need to make quick and important decisions during the course of a workday, and knowing that they are able to ask for help and will receive clear, concise feedback gives a sense that they’ll be able to handle any situation which may arise. When you speak with a team face to face, be sure that they leave a meeting feeling heard, understood, and have a good game plan. Personal meetings should be constructive moments of assessment and reflection. It’s also important to recognize successes and celebrate a job well done, even if it’s followed by, “Next time, handle it differently”. Strive to create a workplace for conversation where all sides of an issue can be addressed fairly and equally.
3. Let your team make daily decisions
Have the opportunity of a vote on new products or upcoming changes and open the floor to new ideas ways of improving workflows. Staff members’ opinions matter, so take them into account. Give the team a voice by allowing expression of what isn’t working and soliciting collective solutions to problems.
4. Support group leaders
While an open-door policy is important, it doesn’t always work well when a business grows beyond a certain size. Maintaining direct communication with each individual team member at every level isn’t always going to be possible (after all, you have a job to do, too). A smart solution is to identify group leaders who can handle some of the work for you. As long as you clearly establish who they are to the rest of the staff, how the rest of the team can reach them, and train them in how to advise and instruct groups in line with how you would want things handled. Make sure everyone knows that these leaders are your direct representatives, and assure them that their requests and comments will be passed on accordingly. Creating these smaller sub-groups allows each to be increasingly self-managed, reducing the workload on individuals and making it easier for you to keep up with how each is performing — further streamlining your growing business.
5. Team building
A good way to boost morale and create strong relationships is to use team-building activities, which can create a dynamic working environment and make people feel comfortable talking to everyone. Get creative! We often spend more time with coworkers than our own families, so making satisfying interpersonal relationships at work vitally important. Maybe you could offer an escape from the daily grind by arranging out-of-office events like a field day, game night, celebrating birthdays, attending a movie or show, or a holiday party. Having an opportunity to loosen up and socialize builds trust, confidence, and yes, communication.
Investing in your people is always a good idea.