The Tricks of Teamwork is reviewing the six characteristics that successful team members contribute. Competency, commitment and adaptability have already been discussed. Next up? Communication.
Now, communication is essential in nearly every environment. If we're reading a book, it's up to the author to communicate the message to us through his words. If we're reading an email, it's up to the sender to say what she means. We cannot avoid communicating, but whether we fail or excel at it, is up to us. Without question, one's ability to communicate is going to impact the team's success, positively or negatively.
Here are a few ways to do your part in communicating in positive ways:
Be honest. Keeping the channels of communication clear ensures that all team members are on the same page, which reinforces the feeling of one team, one dream.
Be direct. Beating around the bush delays the inevitable. So, be explicit. Put the topic on the table and tackle it directly. This way, you and your team don't waste precious time or energy.
Give feedback. There are bound to be things that need to be addressed, and if one or all team members avoid the subject, resentment and tension can start to build. So, be sensitive but specific about what things are getting in the way of the team's success. If team members genuinely care enough to raise concerns, hopefully others are just as able to accept their perspective.
Lead don't dictate. In order to inspire, you don't need to demand that others do things or discipline them for not doing things. Playing the part of player and coach is appropriate when it's encouraging rather than enforcing. Nobody wants to be treated like a child, especially when he/she is your peer.
Communicate in ways that are natural to you, while being willing to step outside of your comfort zone to communicate in ways that are natural to others. Think of communication as the glue that connects each team member. Teams cannot expect that every member has the same ideas, feelings and personalities, so communication is the way to maintain commonality when complete agreement is unrealistic.
In the same way that we would never assume that multiple individuals within the same family have the exact same thoughts and hopes as one another, we can't expect that teams do either. But, if we hope to at least work toward a common goal, it's up to us to communicate, so that we get there together.
Doug C. Watsabaugh, senior partner at WCW Partners, understands how to meet your unique performance challenges. With more than 20 years of experience, WCW Partners is a performance-improvement company that helps businesses revitalize their results and achieve record-breaking performance.
If you are looking to excel in sales, service or leadership, let Doug develop the capability in you! http://wcwpartners.com/.