Inside Scoop: 5 Habits That Will Propel Communication Within Your SME
Effective communication is the backbone of any successful small business, but it is not just talking about having better communication—it's in creating a system that works for your team. As your business grows, keeping everyone aligned and collaborating smoothly becomes essential for staff retention. In this article we've uncovered five simple but powerful habits we've embraced to take communication to the next level to create a well working and dynamic team.
Active Listening
Though it might seem obvious, one of the most powerful communication habits is to listen actively without immediately jumping in with a response. Encourage your team to practice 'active silence'—pausing before speaking to fully process and reflect on what's been said. This can be easily implemented through a quick team-building exercise or group meeting and leads to reduced misunderstandings, and inspires your team to be more thoughtful not just with each other, but also when communicating with customers, clients, and partners.
Feedback Culture
Make it a habit to give and receive feedback regularly with your team. Setting daily, weekly or monthly targets is important for improvement and motivation of course, but team members hearing how they are doing consistently also helps build trust. Scheduling team feedback sessions, and using these insights to make various decisions in your business will definitely help your team perform better and grow together.
Reverse Brainstorming
Reverse brainstorming is an interesting and lesser-known technique that many teams use. Unlike traditional brainstorming, where individuals are expected to generate meaningful and creative ideas on the spot, reverse brainstorming takes a different approach. It involves brainstorming all the possible ways a plan could fail and then flipping those ideas into positive solutions. This method helps to spark creativity within your team as well as problem-solving, by encouraging individuals to think critically and explore potential pitfalls from a different angle.
Breaking the ice
Even after teams have been working together for a long time, keeping the spark alive and continuing to connect is essential. Mix things up with regular team-building activities and themed social events that cater to your team’s interests. You could also hold 'Check-In' sessions to share personal and professional updates, and celebrate milestones with a communal achievements board. Some teams also engage in volunteer opportunities to work together on impactful causes. These strategies ensure that teams stay connected and collaborate with energy and enthusiasm.
Recognition & Reward
Did you know 63% of employees say that they don't feel recognised at work? There is so much enjoyment and drive added to a work environment when people are being celebrated and acknowledged, and when team members are made to feel appreciated through regular recognition and rewards, their morale and engagement increase, leading to more active participation and contribution. And it doesn't have to be balloons and cakes for everything. Simply telling your team members and creating an environment where team members tell each other they appreciate one another goes a long way.
The Bottom Line
Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful and thriving team. By embracing practices such as active listening, creating a feedback culture, using innovative techniques like reverse brainstorming, and continually breaking the ice, you create an environment where team members feel valued, engaged, and motivated. Regular recognition and rewards play a crucial role in enhancing morale and ensuring that everyone feels appreciated. Investing in these communication habits not only strengthens relationships but also drives the overall success and growth of your team and organisation.