What’s that old saying about too many cooks and a broth? Ah, yes – they spoil it. We live in a world where people are hired for their unique skills. And when multiple experts come together to form a team, a little chaos is bound to ensue. So, whether you have a team with a singular skill set or a diverse mix, you need to know how to have effective team communication. Let us help you with that!
In short, this is corporate lingo for exchanging ideas, having discussions, and receiving feedback. The perfect team is like a well-oiled machine, or even better, a well-organized kitchen at a fine dining restaurant. At the end of the day, no matter the obstacle, you have to have high team productivity every single time. This is impossible without effective team communication.
So, whether it’s face-to-face chats, emails, or digital updates, everyone has to be on the same page.
Let’s consider an automobile as an example. Multiple parts have to work in tandem to get from point A to point B. But you’re not manually moving them all; you’re simply pressing buttons and steering a wheel, yet the machine runs!
Behind your dashboard, a series of wires take your pressing of the button as an input and convey the message to the right part of the vehicle. But if what this didn’t happen?
We’ll leave that up to your imagination.
But all of this is to explain that unless we convey requirements, feedback, and requests, we cannot improve team communication!
Team communication isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. There are different communication styles, each with its strengths. However, the many types of team communication can be boiled down to 3 kinds:
This could take the form of face-to-face chats, video calls, or phone conversations. This is where ideas flow freely, and you can improve team communication, clarify details, and brainstorm in real-time. It’s perfect for team building because it lets people practice their listening skills. Active listening is a huge part of this.
Forms of group communication like emails, reports, and memos fall into this category. Written communication is ideal for formal documentation, sharing detailed information, or keeping a record of decisions. When you need to make sure that everyone has access to the same details to refer back to later, this is the way to go.
Messages, project management tools, and collaborative platforms like Google Docs and Trello all fall under this umbrella. This is for quick updates, task management, and sharing information in real time, which is essential for remote teams or fast-paced work environments.
So far, we’ve talked about communication. But let’s be honest—screaming into the void doesn’t really count as communication, does it? That’s why we’re adding the keyword: effective.
So, what does it take to improve team communication without losing anything in translation?
Now that we know how to improve team communication, we need to get into the nitty gritty of perfecting it.
Depending on the challenge at hand, you may have to swap your team communication skills to ones that work best in the situation. So, take a look at the most tried-and-tested strategies that have worked wonders for team communication.
Let your team know when to use what type of communication. That way, not only can they prioritize tasks, but it also streamlines ideas. This helps prevent miscommunication and ensures the right channels are used for the right situations.
Hold team meetings where each team member quickly shares what they’re working on, any challenges they face, and the status of their tasks. Keeping these meetings short (15-20 minutes) helps everyone stay aligned.
Everyone has unique and strong communication preferences. Some may like emails, while others might prefer instant messages. By respecting these preferences, you ensure that no one misses important information.
Create a work environment where team members feel comfortable voicing their opinions and concerns without fear of judgment. This will lead to better collaboration and increased trust.
Incorporate visuals, diagrams, and collaborative tools to help clarify complex points. Google Docs, Trello, or Asana might help. Visual aids can improve understanding, especially in larger teams or when working with remote teams.
Regular updates help improve team communication and keep everyone informed. This is especially true for project progress and changes. Whether it’s through a weekly email, a shared document, or a project management tool, consistency in communication style helps prevent surprises and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
Encourage your team to approach conflicts with solutions in mind. Make sure the communication style remains respectful. This helps the team develop positive and strong communication.
These are opportunities to get to know the team dynamics and strengths better.
Bonus: If things get heated at any point, remember that you can always give the troublemaker a yellow card! Two of those, and you can hand them a red card and a 2-minute suspension from the activity.
In the digital era, we have tools for everything! So here are some team communication tools that will streamline and improve team communication.
Spend time on them, have your team beta-test them, and pick what communication style works best for everyone.
Why is that? This is what Gem Space gets right:
Now, that doesn’t mean it’s all smooth sailing. Building effective communication comes with its challenges. But Gem Space does its best to combat them:
This is a lot more than what the competition is doing.
Content teams that last don’t just survive—they evolve. The key to this success lies in a mix of structure and creativity. The content landscape changes fast, so adaptability is the only solution to stay cohesive. With the right mix of communication strategy, collaboration, and a dash of fun, content teams can thrive for the long haul.
Let’s be honest; every team works the way its members deem fit. So, there are no hard and fast rules to mastering team communication. Pick the communication style that suits you and evolve as your team grows.