Effective team communication isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity to communicate effectively.
Improving communication skills within a team is crucial for better collaboration, team building and employee engagement.
Moreover, it:
Improves Productivity & Performance
Clear team communication eliminates confusion and wasted time spent clarifying instructions or chasing down missing information. Moreover, good communication fosters collaboration, reduces misunderstandings, improves task management and provides opportunities for feedback. Feedback, particularly of the negative variety, is vital for improving employee performance. In fact, according to the Harvard Business Review, this is something your employees want from you.1
Enhances Problem Solving
Open team communication allows diverse perspectives to surface, leading to more creative and effective solutions. Remember that “open communication” means a two-way communication. Your communication channels are for more than just dishing out information, or orders. Demonstrate that everyone is welcome to speak their minds, and voice ideas, opinions and solutions to problems without the fear of being criticized or shut down.
Strengthens Relationships
When a team member feels heard and understood, trust and camaraderie develop, leading to a more positive and collaborative work environment. Regular one-on-one meetings and clear communication in team meetings are essential for ensuring team members interact effectively, building trust and camaraderie. Poor communication leads to mistrust of both leadership and fellow team members2.
Increases Employee Engagement
Employee buy-in is central to team communication. Feeling part of a team with clear goals and open, good communication channels fosters a sense of ownership and engagement among employees. Encourage team members by promoting engagement, communication, and collaboration, which helps maintain their focus and positively impacts the overall quality of their work3.
Reduces Conflict & Employee Turnover
Better communication minimizes misunderstandings and allows you to resolve conflicts quickly, preventing issues from escalating. Failure to do this negatively impacts employee retention. In fact, according to some research, inconsistent team communication can increase turnover by 50%!4
Improves Client Satisfaction
Strong internal communication helps ensure everyone is on the same page, leading to a more positive and cohesive client experience.
Understanding Different Communication Styles
Verbal communication can be tricky. Salons, spas, fitness studios and many other businesses employ a range of personalities, who likely communicate in diverse ways influenced by personality traits and cultural backgrounds, to name a few factors.
Recognizing that not everyone communicates in the same way is crucial. In fact, employees often cite conflicting communication styles as a major reason they don’t jibe with their boss, or don’t “fit” in a certain workplace.
Here are some of the most common communication styles:
- Assertive: Assertive communicators speak directly and confidently, expressing their thoughts and needs clearly without being aggressive.
- Analytical: Analytical communicators focus on facts, data, and logic. They usually prefer a well-structured conversation and written communication.
- Friendly: Friendly communicators value relationships and foster a positive, collaborative atmosphere. They will often use humor and storytelling to engage others.
- Dominant: Dominant communicators take charge and direct the conversation. The difference between these folks and assertive communicators is that they can come across as forceful or insensitive.
- Reserved: Reserved communicators prefer to listen and observe before contributing, often processing information internally before speaking up.