{"id":17554,"date":"2024-03-29T19:19:37","date_gmt":"2024-03-29T19:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/?p=17554"},"modified":"2024-03-29T19:19:37","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T19:19:37","slug":"improve-team-communication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/improve-team-communication\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Ways to Improve Team Communication in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good communication is the engine that drives high-performance teams. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But without some routine maintenance, things can misfire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can\u2019t share information efficiently (if it\u2019s even shared at all).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ideas don\u2019t get heard. Processes aren\u2019t followed. Productivity begins to break down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>With two-thirds of managers feeling <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2016\/03\/two-thirds-of-managers-are-uncomfortable-communicating-with-employees\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">uncomfortable communicating<\/a> with their employees, the need to improve communication at work is clear.<\/p>\n<h2>Improve Team Communication Starting Today<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every team needs a tune-up from time to time. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether your team\u2019s been stuck in neutral for a while or it\u2019s just struggling <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/coronavirus-tech-tools\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">after the COVID-19 pandemic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there are various strategies you can use<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>1. Pay ample attention to onboarding<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/components-of-effective-communication\/\">Effective communication<\/a> starts at the very beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research shows that employees are\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shrm.org\/topics-tools\/news\/talent-acquisition\/dont-underestimate-importance-good-onboarding\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more likely to remain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with a company for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">three<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> years or more if they <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experience<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> great onboarding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/peoplemanagingpeople.com\/recruitment\/how-to-onboard-remote-employees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Onboarding processes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> vary depending on company <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">size, makeup, and team functionality<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That said, a few methods remain time-tested.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Introduce your new hire, but not just via email<\/strong>. For in-house teams, organize a meet-and-greet. If you\u2019re remote, set up a video chat or conference call. Either way, make it personal!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Train newcomers on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/company-intranet\/\">company intranet<\/a>.<\/strong> If you expect newcomers to know rules and policies, as well as share knowledge and documents, familiarize them with the platform.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Give new employees time to learn the ropes and encourage questions<\/strong>. You may be surprised at a new hire\u2019s willingness to offer questions simply by encouraging them to ask.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[<strong>TIP<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Don\u2019t forget to communicate your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/remote-work-policy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">remote work policy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with your new hires to ensure they are able to communicate and work effectively with the other members of your team.]<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>2. Establish common goals and communicate them<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-25507 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/common-goals.jpg\" alt=\"Establish common goals and communicate them\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/common-goals.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/common-goals-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Every business has goals. But does your team know them? Communicate business goals and objectives with the team as soon as they\u2019re established. Then make sure they\u2019re clearly visible.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t stop there, though. Set team goals, too.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Let everyone know their roles and responsibilities to ensure clear communication among team members.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sitting down together and laying out shared objectives and challenges keeps everyone on the same page,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> improving your team\u2019s ability to collaborate and engage in constructive communication.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>3. Talk face to face<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s nothing like the authenticity of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a good old face-to-face powwow. Getting together in person<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> without the pressure of deadlines is a great way to help everyone relax. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This type of communication<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes it easier to discuss tasks, shared challenges, or even just weekend plans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set aside time for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one-on-one meetings<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, like a team lunch or a Friday morning coffee. Providing time for casual conversation improves your employees\u2019 social skills, mental health, and well-being. It\u2019ll also pay dividends for their ability to communicate work-related issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">company is<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> entirely remote, get the team together once or twice per year. Companies like Zapier organize yearly meet-ups to spend quality time together and share ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, establish a virtual break room.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>\u201cJust as you would in a physical office setting, set up a space to connect and communicate with your team members outside of the formality of work-related meetings. This helps to build team member relationships and reminds us to take a quick break to recharge and catch up with our coworkers.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&#8211; Molly Gutterud, Vice President, University Communications and Advancement, Northcentral University<\/p>\n<p>[<strong>TIP<\/strong>: Just because you\u2019re a virtual team doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t meet. These <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/video-calling-apps\/\">video calling apps<\/a> and use cases improve your virtual meetings, bringing them to life. Conduct daily stand-up via video or meet for a remote coffee, for instance.]<\/p>\n<h3>4. Know when not to communicate<\/h3>\n<p>Good communication with your team means knowing when not to communicate.<\/p>\n<p>To yield real results, let your team recharge over an extra coffee break, a longer lunch, or even a personal day. After work, power down devices, and don\u2019t send instant messages or emails unless it\u2019s urgent.<\/p>\n<p>A balanced work-life routine isn\u2019t just a trendy idea. In many cases, communication can wait.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Use psychology as part of communication training<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t discount the power of psychology. It can help you get to know your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">employees\u2019 personality types and traits. This sheds insight into individual and team <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">temperaments<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking a personality test as a team is a great idea for improving communication at work. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use the results to determine what communication practices will work best for you and your team.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Some of the top assessments include:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Myers-Briggs<\/li>\n<li>DiSC<\/li>\n<li>Belbin Team Roles<\/li>\n<li>Keirsey Test<\/li>\n<li>The 5-minute Personality Test<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking a personality assessment as a team allows you to tailor teams and projects, shape the workplace dynamic, or just understand your employees <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and their communication styles. Use these findings to develop communication training for your team. This makes it easier for team members to improve essential soft skills, such as verbal and nonverbal communication skills, decision making, and problem solving.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>6. Encourage two-way communication<\/h3>\n<p>Top-down communication allows you to control your message. But that approach won\u2019t benefit you or your team in the long run.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/team-leader-characteristics\/\">great team leader<\/a> means you have to lead by example. It\u2019s your job to make communication a two-way street.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Channels like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/what-is-instant-messaging\/\">instant messaging<\/a> can help. Of the many\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">benefits of instant messaging<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">it provides a great way to encourage <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">constant, real-time communication, improving the quality of news or knowledge sharing, feedback, or even just <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chit-chat<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Another idea could be to set up no-agenda team meetings.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>\u201cOne interesting solution is to have a weekly call with your team that has no agenda. Just let people show up and chat. They may talk about office politics, their family, or interesting new ideas, gadgets, and techniques. Let the creativity flow. These sessions can be fun, engaging, and an opportunity to get to know teammates.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 <\/span>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jonobacon.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jono Bacon<\/a>, Community and Collaboration Consultant, and Author of People Powered<\/p>\n<h3>7. Don\u2019t overlook security<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter img-responsive size-full wp-image-11625\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Keep-Team-Communication-Safe-with-a-Private-IM-Network.png\" alt=\"Don\u2019t Overlook Security\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You can\u2019t focus on communication if you\u2019re busy cleaning up after information leaks or data breaches. And with many data breaches taking place due to human error, a lax approach to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/internal-communication\/\">internal communication<\/a> can put you in a Catch-22.<\/p>\n<p>Your strategy requires more than just good anti-virus software (though that\u2019s still part of it!).<\/p>\n<p>Safeguard your communications from all sides. Encrypted communications over a fully private team network utilizing peer-to-peer communication channels protect your communications from employee carelessness or malfeasance, as well as nefarious outside threats.<\/p>\n<p>[<strong>TIP<\/strong>: Not all <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/encrypted-messaging-apps\/\">encrypted chat apps<\/a> are created equally. To enhance internal team chat, collaboration, and security, choose an app with robust platform security protocols and administrative control options. Moreover, you need <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/end-to-end-encryption-not-enough\/\">more than end-to-end encryption<\/a> for secure communication.]<\/p>\n<h3>8. Stop relying on email<\/h3>\n<p>Effective team communication requires using the right communication channels.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Unfortunately, email often can\u2019t solve most routine, work-related processes.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Real-time communication<\/li>\n<li>Inquiries or issues that require quick action<\/li>\n<li>Advancing engagement and collaboration<\/li>\n<li>Communications that require voice, video, or other tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In many cases, instant messaging is faster, favored, and more reliable for keeping in touch. No one\u2019s advocating you quit email altogether. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But there\u2019s a reason your emails don\u2019t get read.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>9. Use a team communication tool<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter img-responsive size-full wp-image-15483\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/It-Pays-to-Streamline-Your-Team-Communication-Tools.png\" alt=\"Streamline Your Team Communication Tools.\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Of all the ideas here, using a team communication tool is a tried-and-true way to enhance communication at work. Are we saying that because we make Brosix? Of course! But hear us out. After all, we\u2019ve been improving how teams communicate since 2006.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you were to add up your time spent during the day looking for information-scanning emails, WhatsApp groups, and chats spread across social media platforms, how much time would you waste? Don\u2019t know? Don\u2019t want to know? <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let us tell you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>30% of employees waste 30 minutes at work each day.<\/b>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.entrepreneur.com\/living\/wasted-employee-time-adds-up-heres-how-to-fix-it\/316450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>10% waste 3 hours<\/b><\/a><b> or more.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You see, each platform and channel for communication serves a specific purpose. Mix and match at random across multiple channels and you\u2019re aiming for a rabbit hole of wasted time, potential security risks, and eventual death by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/whatsapp-review\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WhatsApp<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But there is a better way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><center><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gwjYHDIwlGQ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/center><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s where\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/team-communication-tools\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">team communication tools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like Brosix come in. You get the communication channels your team needs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> direct messaging,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/broadcast-messaging\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">broadcast messaging<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/features\/chat-rooms\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">group chat rooms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and voice and video <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">calls. All of them work on a unified private team network featuring rigid user authorization protocols and rich administration tools.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>And it\u2019s all highly searchable and trackable thanks to chat histories and user activity logs.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourage your team members to use a team communication tool <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and stop subjecting your team to disorganization, inefficiencies, or worse. Better yet, try\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brosix<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It\u2019s built to improve how teams communicate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>10. Consolidate your collaboration software<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collaboration software is supposed to improve how teams work together. And with so many new <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">software solutions and tools, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">it\u2019s tempting to try them all. More tools <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">equal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more teamwork, right?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Not exactly! When each tool specializes in one thing, bouncing back and forth between 5 different ones cripples team communication.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Believe it or not, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/what-is-screen-sharing\/\">screen sharing<\/a> and remote desktop control,\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">instant screenshots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, file transfers, and whiteboards for creativity can help you get most jobs done<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The good news is that many\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/instant-messaging-apps\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">instant messaging solutions for business<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include these tools.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll also want a good project management tool. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tools like\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basecamp<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Trello, and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/monday.com\/use-cases\/team-management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monday.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> make project management much more effective.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You can break down project components, allocate resources, track workflows, delegate and coordinate tasks and progress, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Beyond that, you may choose a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/productivity-apps\/\">productivity app <\/a>to manage mundane tasks like social media posting, time tracking, and to-do lists. Buffer, TimeDoctor, and Todoist are all good options.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tool overload is a thing. Take stock of what you really need to\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">improve team collaboration<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> don\u2019t go overboard.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>11. Try remote work<\/h3>\n<p><center><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YZaq_u3JU9M\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/center>Busy offices and long commutes drain employees, and, as a result, team communication suffers. Working remotely can lead to better team communication by helping your team members strike the right balance.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One way could be to use half of the week to hold meetings or presentations <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that require<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in-house collaboration. Then use the other half of the week to focus on individual tasks or projects <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that are<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more efficiently executed while working from home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[<\/span><b>TIP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: If you\u2019re new <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> working from home, you need to consider everything from how you keep in touch with your team to your work routines and environment. Use these\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/remote-work-best-practices\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">work from home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tips to upgrade your workspaces, habits, and team communication.]<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>12. Keep track of timezones<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tracking time zones isn\u2019t just necessary when sending out calendar invites. Scheduling a noon meeting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> European time won\u2019t do your meeting any favors if the North American team is joining. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to streamline communication among your team members, pick a time when everyone\u2019s at least had their first cup of coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>13. Use your administrative toolkit<\/h3>\n<p>Administrative tools are an often-overlooked method for improving communication. Most team communication solutions include advanced control options, but it\u2019s up to you to use them.<\/p>\n<p>Brosix, for example, provides a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/features\/\">rich set of administrative features<\/a> to help you create a custom communication experience on your network. Control over contacts, shared chat spaces, and the features to which users have access allows you to target communication systemically, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">focusing on<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> productivity and enhancing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/how-to-build-collaborative-communication\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">communication and collaboration<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>14. Socialize<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maybe you\u2019ve heard the saying, \u201cA team that plays together stays together.\u201d People are inherently social, and this should be kept in mind even in an office setting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To improve morale, make use of team-building activities outside the office. Suggest an escape room, ax throwing, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">board games, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or go-karting<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014something fun where the emphasis is not on work but on building communication among team members. Such activities foster mutual respect, trust, and camaraderie.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[<\/span><b>TIP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your team works remotely, they can have fun, too. A host of\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/remote-team-building-activities\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">remote team building activities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you build relationships within the team.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Hold a quiz session, share a meal, or watch a movie virtually, for example.]<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>15. Keep the door open<\/h3>\n<p>To improve communication within your team, address questions, issues, and ideas as they arise.<\/p>\n<p>One approach is an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.betterup.com\/blog\/what-is-the-open-door-policy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">open-door policy<\/a>. By eliminating barriers to communication, an open-door policy promotes approachability, free-flowing communication, more efficient dissemination of information, and healthier working relationships.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For in-house teams, keep the door open literally, welcome in-person discussions, and stay open to feedback.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> For distributed and remote teams,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/virtual-team-challenges\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">do so virtually<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set up a chat room for continuous group discussion and hold regular one-on-one meetings online.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wrapping it all up, you should foster a culture of open communication where everyone can share their ideas and concerns. This creates a sense of community, giving team members the confidence that they will be heard and appreciated.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>16. Utilize mobile communication<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive aligncenter wp-image-25509 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mobile-communication.jpg\" alt=\"Utilize mobile communication\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mobile-communication.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mobile-communication-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Nearly everyone has a smartphone at their disposal. Meet your team on their level, whether it\u2019s in the office, on public transport, or from the couch.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/team-chat-apps\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">top team chat apps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> feature versatile mobile apps that provide a safe and secure chat space while enabling them to communicate effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>17. Track your communication<\/h3>\n<p>In addition to making conversations searchable, tracking your team&#8217;s communication has huge benefits for productivity.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider this: Wha<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">t if you knew not only which team members communicate with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">each other but also<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> how they prefer to communicate and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In a data-driven world, this information is power.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By utilizing\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/features\/user-activity-log\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">user activity logs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to track communication, as well as preferred features, who\u2019s using them<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when, you can pinpoint productivity and maximize teamwork.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>18. Take a tech timeout<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-25510 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/tech-timeout.jpg\" alt=\"Take a tech timeout\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/tech-timeout.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/tech-timeout-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Research indicates that <a href=\"https:\/\/greatergood.berkeley.edu\/article\/item\/five_reasons_to_take_a_break_from_screens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">too much screen time<\/a> impairs us physically, mentally, and emotionally.<\/p>\n<p>Schedule tech timeouts. Take them. And most importantly, disconnect. Taking tech breaks enhances health and well-being, boosts productivity, and helps you forge deeper connections.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few ideas to break up your screen time.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Take a walk.<\/li>\n<li>Read a book.<\/li>\n<li>Listen to music.<\/li>\n<li>Practice some brief yoga or stretching.<\/li>\n<li>Do sudoku or some other brain exercise.<\/li>\n<li>Run an errand between tasks.<\/li>\n<li>Grab a coffee with a coworker or friend.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Improving your ability to communicate with others ultimately begins with focusing on yourself.<\/p>\n<h3>19. Allow anonymous feedback<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can\u2019t improve something if you don\u2019t know it\u2019s broken.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Open communication isn\u2019t just beneficial; it&#8217;s essential. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadly, though, many employees hold back from sharing their thoughts or opinions because they\u2019re afraid.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fight poor communication and encourage transparency by following some best practices. These include establishing a suggestion box (physically or virtually) or designating a person of confidence to collect team feedback. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But keep it anonymous. Anonymity allows your team to openly share their thoughts and ideas<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, free<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the uncertainty of negative consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>20. Recognize your team<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t just check in with your team (although that\u2019s also important). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make it a point to recognize them regularly. This allows team members to feel connected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Holding in-person or virtual meetings every few weeks or months is a good idea.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use the time to discuss projects or issues, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">invite and give feedback<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or just listen to complaints. Organize virtual coffee sessions or virtual toasts to celebrate events, shared successes, or employee milestones.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>\u201cOne sure-fire way to improve communication at work is to celebrate company and staff accomplishments. Share items like people joining your team, earning promotions, and getting kudos from clients or team members. Share on whatever <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/communication-platform\/\">internal communication platform<\/a> your team uses or something external like your social media channels if your team is comfortable with it.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\u2013\u00a0 Colton De Vos, Marketing and Communications Specialist, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.resolutets.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Resolute Technology Solutions<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regular communication is important and recognizing their thoughts, opinions, and accomplishments shows that you truly value them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Ideas Can You Implement to Improve Team Communication?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While team\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/communication-challenges\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">communication issues<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are inherently unique, a few methods for rectifying them remain time-tested and can ultimately benefit your whole team.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Forge real connections by meeting your team regularly, recognizing them and their accomplishments, sharing goals and challenges, and even socializing.<\/li>\n<li>Encourage questions, feedback, and knowledge-sharing.<\/li>\n<li>Take meaningful breaks.<\/li>\n<li>Craft your toolkit to suit your team, but don\u2019t go overboard.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t overlook the role of sound security protocols and administrative control.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What ideas can you implement? Not sure where to start? Consider Brosix. With the right mix of communication, collaboration, productivity, and security features, it\u2019s built to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/ensuring-effective-communication-among-teams\/\">improve team communication<\/a>. Give it a try!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Good communication is the engine that drives high-performance teams. But without some routine maintenance, things can misfire. You can\u2019t share information efficiently (if it\u2019s even shared at all). Ideas don\u2019t get heard. Processes aren\u2019t followed. Productivity begins to break down. With two-thirds of managers feeling uncomfortable communicating with their employees, the need to improve communication [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25512,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-productivity"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17554"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17554\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}