<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>communication styles Archives - Braving Boundaries</title> <atom:link href="https://bravingboundaries.com/tag/communication-styles/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://bravingboundaries.com/tag/communication-styles/</link> <description>PROFESSIONAL LIFE COACHING & TRAINING</description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 05:28:05 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-ZA</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <image> <url>https://bravingboundaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Asset-1.svg</url> <title>communication styles Archives - Braving Boundaries</title> <link>https://bravingboundaries.com/tag/communication-styles/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>4 Ways Poor Communication Could be Slowing Down Your Team</title> <link>https://bravingboundaries.com/4-ways-poor-communication-could-be-slowing-down-your-team/</link> <comments>https://bravingboundaries.com/4-ways-poor-communication-could-be-slowing-down-your-team/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[friedaL2020]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 05:27:59 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Conflict]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Corporate Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Effective communication]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Team building]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Team communication]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Working environment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[communication]]></category> <category><![CDATA[communication styles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[conflict resolution]]></category> <category><![CDATA[effective communication]]></category> <category><![CDATA[poor communication]]></category> <category><![CDATA[set expectations]]></category> <category><![CDATA[team building]]></category> <category><![CDATA[team dynamics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[team productivity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[transparency]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://bravingboundaries.com/?p=6142</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://bravingboundaries.com/4-ways-poor-communication-could-be-slowing-down-your-team/">4 Ways Poor Communication Could be Slowing Down Your Team</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bravingboundaries.com">Braving Boundaries</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_0 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_0"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_0 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_0 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><h5><strong><i>By Frieda Levycky – Founder and Director of <a href="https://bravingboundaries.com/">Braving Boundaries</a></i></strong></h5> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Effective communication is the lifeblood of any thriving team. In my years of coaching and leadership, I’ve witnessed how clear, empathetic communication not only bridges gaps but also builds stronger, more resilient teams. Yet, it’s not uncommon for even the strongest teams to encounter communication barriers that can stifle their potential and sour the workplace atmosphere.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this blog, I want to share some insight into four common communication challenges that I’ve observed in various teams and discuss practical strategies to overcome the hurdles that might be holding back your team.</span></p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_1 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><h2><b>Identifying Communication Challenges</b></h2></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_1 et_pb_gutters1"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_4 et_pb_column_1 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_0"> <span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://bravingboundaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/1.png" alt="" title="1" class="wp-image-1486" /></span> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_3_4 et_pb_column_2 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_2 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><b>Inefficient and Unfocused Meetings</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A critical area where poor communication manifests is in the planning and execution of meetings. Inefficient and unfocused meetings are not just time-consuming; they can significantly drain a team’s energy and creativity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, a client I once worked with held regular team meetings that were meant to streamline project updates and brainstorm solutions. However, these meetings often lacked a clear agenda and objective, which led to prolonged discussions about irrelevant topics. The team members felt their time could have been better spent on actual work, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To hold more effective meetings, consider implementing the following guidelines:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Establish a Clear Agenda:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Before any meeting, circulate an agenda that outlines the topics to be discussed and the objectives to achieve. This keeps the meeting focused and goal-oriented.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Assign Roles:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Designate a moderator or leader for each meeting to keep the discussion on track and manage time effectively.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Set Time Limits</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">: Allocate specific times for each agenda item to ensure that discussions remain concise and on point.</span></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_2 et_pb_gutters1"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_4 et_pb_column_3 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_1"> <span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://bravingboundaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2.png" alt="" title="2" class="wp-image-1487" /></span> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_3_4 et_pb_column_4 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_3 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><b></b></p> <p><b>Unclear Expectations and Instructions</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the most common issues I see in teams across various industries is the lack of clear expectations and instructions. This seemingly simple oversight can lead to significant confusion and frustration, affecting not only the quality of work but also team morale.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let me paint you a picture… A staff member sends a contract to an external lawyer with the brief instruction: “Please review.” Without further context or detailed expectations, the lawyer is left guessing what specifically needs attention, with too much room for assumption. It’s a simple contract, a non-disclosure agreement, which should be straightforward. However, the absence of clear instructions leads to a cycle of back-and-forth communications, delays and potential errors.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To combat this issue, I encourage staff members to adopt a more detailed approach when assigning tasks. Here are a few tips:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Be Specific:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Clearly outline what needs to be done, why it’s important and any specific concerns or areas to focus on.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Set Deadlines:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Always specify when the task needs to be completed, allowing for a clear timeframe.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Provide Context:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Help your team understand the bigger picture. This not only improves the quality of the work but also enhances engagement and responsibility.</span></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_3"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_5 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_2"> <span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img decoding="async" width="2000" height="1500" src="https://bravingboundaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Poor-Communication-Could-be-Slowing-Down-Your-Team-2.png" alt="" title="_Poor Communication Could be Slowing Down Your Team (2)" class="wp-image-6155" /></span> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_4 et_pb_gutters1"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_4 et_pb_column_6 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_3"> <span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://bravingboundaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.jpg" alt="" title="3" class="wp-image-1488" /></span> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_3_4 et_pb_column_7 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_4 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><b>Lack of Transparency</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A lack of transparency within teams can lead to mistrust and a sense of isolation among team members. When information isn’t shared openly, it can create barriers to collaboration and leave employees feeling out of the loop and undervalued.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A team I once advised provides a vivid example. In this example, management tightly controlled decision-making processes and information was shared only on a need-to-know basis. This closed-door approach fostered rumours and speculation, diverting team members’ attention from their primary tasks and undermining trust within the group.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To foster a more transparent environment:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Encourage Open Communication:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Promote an open-door policy where team members feel welcome to ask questions and express concerns without fear of reprisal.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Share Key Information:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Regularly update your team on company news, project progress and strategic decisions. This not only keeps everyone informed but also helps them understand how their work contributes to the organisation’s goals.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Involve Team Members in Decision Making:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Whenever possible, involve your team in the decision-making process. This inclusion not only enhances commitment to the resulting decisions but also builds a deeper level of trust and engagement.</span></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_5 et_pb_gutters1"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_4 et_pb_column_8 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_4"> <span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://bravingboundaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/4.png" alt="" title="4" class="wp-image-1489" /></span> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_3_4 et_pb_column_9 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_5 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><b>Poor Conflict Resolution</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Conflict is a natural part of any team dynamic, but when left unresolved, it can escalate and negatively impact team morale and productivity. Poor conflict resolution often stems from ineffective communication and a lack of understanding among team members.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Conflict can easily fester within a team, leading to strained relationships and decreased productivity. To improve conflict resolution within your team:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Promote Open Dialogue: </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Encourage team members to address conflicts openly and constructively, fostering an environment where differing opinions are valued and respected.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Provide Conflict Resolution Training:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Equip team members and managers with the necessary skills to identify, manage and resolve conflicts effectively. Training sessions and workshops can enhance communication skills and promote a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Lead by Example: </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a leader, demonstrate effective conflict resolution techniques in your interactions with team members. Model positive communication behaviours, such as active listening, empathy and compromise, to encourage similar approaches among your team.</span></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_6"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_10 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_6 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><h2><b>Build Stronger Teams Through Clear Communication</b></h2></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_7 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful team, enabling collaboration, innovation and growth. By recognising and addressing common communication challenges, teams can overcome obstacles, foster stronger relationships and achieve greater productivity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As you reflect on the key points I shared in this blog, I encourage you to start thinking about how you can take proactive steps to improve communication within your team. Let’s commit to nurturing stronger, more resilient teams that thrive on openness and collaboration. </span></p> <p><a href="https://bravingboundaries.com/contact-me/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Reach out today</strong></span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to explore how we can tap into the full potential of your team, simply by improving your communication strategies.</span></p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_5"> <a href="https://bravingboundaries.com/contact-me/"><span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img decoding="async" width="810" height="450" src="https://bravingboundaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/End-of-blog-post-CTA-image-2.png" alt="" title="End of blog post CTA image (2)" class="wp-image-6150" /></span></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>The post <a href="https://bravingboundaries.com/4-ways-poor-communication-could-be-slowing-down-your-team/">4 Ways Poor Communication Could be Slowing Down Your Team</a> appeared first on <a href="https://bravingboundaries.com">Braving Boundaries</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://bravingboundaries.com/4-ways-poor-communication-could-be-slowing-down-your-team/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>