Don’t you love those rumours that run like wild fire? No I don’t either, but they are sometimes hard to stop in a work environment.
When managing a team, good communication skills are vital. In fact, good communication is central to most of the important functions a manager performs—monitoring progress, receiving early warning of problems, promoting co-operation, encouraging team involvement.
Phrases such as “due to a lack of communication,” or “a breakdown in communication,” or similar are too often used to describe the cause of a major problem or issue.
Communication is central to the way humans work, and because it comes naturally, we do not spend enough time thinking about how to do it properly.
There are some helpful ideas and rules to keep in mind in order to communicate more effectively within a project environment. It is also useful to consider ways in which communication can go wrong, so as to avoid common pitfalls.
Here are four ways to strengthen communication in your team.
Fill the void: People will plug communication gaps with their own crazy ideas, or worse, they’ll rely on gossip spread by others. Avoid lingering doubts by saying the unsaid.
Translate the facts: Providing employees with data isn’t enough to make them comprehend your expectations. Interpret the figures by using comparisons, symbols, and language.
Tell stories: Sometimes, what you say has greater resonance if you share a tale. Personal anecdotes and analogies are a welcome break from the predictable and dull corporate-speak.
Understand emotions: Before communicating, consider the present emotion of the recipient in advance and then adapt your communication style to suit their mood. Also, be conscious of your own emotions. Are you showing any? Don’t hold back. If you’re excited, look excited.
If you’re happy, act happy. It’s contagious.
Enjoy
Merinda smith 😆