Communication is Key

How to Build Great Teams — Part 1/5

Communication is the foundation for building great teams.

You may have heard that before, but are you making it happen?

If you are not sure if the communication amongst your team is flowing smoothly, then it almost certainly could improve. It needs to.

You know the communication amongst your team is good when your team is comfortable addressing issues as they come up, is solution-focused when there are challenges and individuals are confident with how their role fits in with the bigger picture.

There are a few key aspects to communication that need to happen to build a great team.

1. Be open and honest when there is a problem.

Stop trying to hideaway issues. It only creates a walled-off environment of distrust. If something is going on, your team already has picked up on it. They may not need to know every detail, but it’s better to be open about an issue than to try and pretend everything is okay.

2. Do regular brainstorming.

Encourage individuals to share any idea they have, promote solution-focused thinking and enable your team to build confidence in their strengths.

3. Keep your word, no matter what.

Follow through on any promises you make — no matter how small. If you say you are going to do something, do it.

4. Give feedback regularly and expect the same in return.

Don’t wait for that yearly review to tell someone they have done a good job, or you appreciate them. Do it regularly. Thank people for their efforts. Point out their strengths. And if something has gone wrong, give them that feedback too — don’t wait.

Also, don’t give your team the opportunity to stew over your own decisions. Regularly ask them how you can improve. Get their input. Find out their perspective.

5. Get clarity — never assume anything.

The only way to know your team is all on the same page is to communicate.

People are complicated beings which is what makes creating (and maintaining) a great team complex. But by focusing on building a strong foundation of communication, you can create a team that values openness, honesty and trust. And those three things are at the core of any great team environment.

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