Effective Communication Skills

Communication is an important aspect of building team. Here are five types of team building communication.

Positive team values 

There are 5 key values that aid co-operation and cohesiveness within a team: 

 We are all in this together The performance of the team is seen as more important than individual performance. Note that blaming styles of communication lead to individual performance becoming the paramount object, resulting in little or no team work. *

No member is more important than another When individuals consider themselves more important than another (’superior communication’) then communication breaks down and competition takes over. But when everyone is seen as an equal, communication is open and there are high levels of co-operation and collaboration. 

 Open, honest communication is essential When you are thinking of a reply, instead of really listening to the other, you are engaging in ‘dishonest communication’. Similarly, when you see something done that is not acceptable but you ‘are polite’ and ignore it you are equally being dishonest with your communication. There is no room for dishonest communication in teams. Open and honest communication requires the use of listening and empathy. Listening to understand gives us the other person’s perspective–it allows us to hear their experience. Empathy reduces the need to judge the behaviours and beliefs of others. By listening and empathising we model open and honest communication. 

 Everyone needs open access to information Information facilitates collaboration and co-operation, and effective decision-making requires all the information. Decision-making always has an element of uncertainty attached to it, but having all the information available makes the decision-making easier. 

We all need to focus on the team’s goals, aims and mission Without a clear and sustained focus minor distractions become major
blockages.

by Lee Hopkins

When you match consumer psychology with effective communication
styles you get a powerful combination. At Hopkins-Business-
Communication-Training.com you can find the secrets to
communication success. At Hopkins we show you how to communicate
better for better business results.

www.hopkins-business-communication-training.com