Support your team atmosphere!
Is your team experiencing growing pains? When new staff members join an already well running team, there may be some challenges in communication. Try these suggestions the next time you are working with a new member and for that matter, any person on your team.
Practice your listening skills
- Focus on hearing what the other person is saying by thinking: "Right now, understanding this person is the most important thing I can do."
- Challenge yourself to say nothing until the other party has completely explained their opinion or question.
Communicate with respect face to face
- Make eye contact during a conversation. Looking away, at a document or just in a different direction than the person with whom you are communicating will send the message that "what they have to say is not important."
- Show the other party that their suggestions are important by writing them down. That can be done when they are finished with their suggestion. You can also repeat your understanding of the suggestion for clarification. Even whether the suggestion is used or not, the fact that you took time to listen & understand their suggestion will encourage them to speak up the next time.
Encourage cooperation with your choice of words
- Instead of "you need to…" Choose words like "we need this completed in the next week." Or, "how about working on this project with me." Or, "would you be able to…" Our choice of words can build respect or destroy the possibility of a positive working relationship.
- Use asking questions instead of accusing statements. This avoids putting the other person on the defense and opens the door for them to explain their method. "Can you tell me more about…
Relax and enjoy new staff members. They each bring a new perspective and talents to the team.