Is One Of Your Most Prolific "Weeds" As A Leader Poor Communication?
If you’ve ever tried to grow anything, then you’re probably familiar with the uninvited companion: weeds! A weed by definition is, “any undesirable or troublesome plant, especially one that grows profusely where it is not wanted”. Pulling weeds adds a lot of extra work to gardening. Thankfully though, there are several fantastic products out there to help keep the weeds under control. Once my plants are established in my garden, I can apply my favorite herbicide (such as Preen) and it prevents other weeds from germinating and growing. It helps to clear the way for healthier growth of every plant that I want in that area.
As a leader, you too may have weeds to tackle. One such prolific weed is poor communication, be it miscommunication or lack thereof. And you're well aware of the impact it can have on your team. If you find yourself nodding in agreement, acknowledging miscommunication as a stubbornly rooted weed, then brace yourself for 3 practical suggestions that will pave the way for healthier and more effective communication within you and your team. Get ready to cultivate an environment of open and fruitful dialogue!
The first suggestion to improve your communication is to cultivate clear expectations. Before engaging in any conversation with a team member, pause for a moment and ask yourself, "What do I expect from this conversation?"
If it's a deeper discussion about performance or the future, take the time to establish clear expectations for the team member. Furthermore, inquire about their expectations to ensure mutual clarity. After these conversations, when there are actionable items, it's important to be explicit about the expectations surrounding those tasks.
Consider the following:
What specific actions need to be taken?
By when should these actions be completed?
By setting clear expectations, you establish a solid foundation for effective communication and ensure everyone is on the same page. This helps to create a more productive and harmonious work environment.
A second tool to use is to prune assumptions. You know your team members well, or you may think you do, and it’s easy to already be thinking about how a conversation is going to go before you even had it. Be that type of leader who’s willing to ask more questions, get more clarification and really listen to that team member to make sure that you’re understanding where they are coming from.
When you’re in team meetings, don’t allow assumptions to arise because people aren’t clear about their expectations of what comes next. And if you think there are some assumptions in the room, ask more questions to get everybody on the same page. By actively addressing assumptions and promoting a culture of clear communication, you can optimize team dynamics and collaboration for even greater success.
The third tool that is crucial for effective leadership is the ability to nurture and cultivate your capacity to be fully present. Just as a skillful gardener tends to their plants, leadership requires a substantial amount of physical energy. However, it doesn't stop there; leading effectively and communicating well also demands a considerable amount of mental and emotional energy. It is imperative to take a moment and clear the air before engaging in conversations or team meetings.
Rather than rushing from one interaction to the next, give yourself the gift of time - even if it's just 30 seconds - to take a deep breath and mentally prepare. Ask yourself, "Okay, what is this next conversation about? What is my goal? What expectations do I have?" This small pause will help you be fully engaged in the present moment and make a more impactful connection. For more on effective communication as a leader, check out the article, How To Stop Sounding Like An Alien To Your Team.
Just like a garden, our leadership skills can also be overrun by communication weeds if we're not careful.
Clear expectations, pruned assumptions, and the ability to be fully present are all essential tools in nurturing healthy communication within your team. Using the right tools will help to reduce miscommunication before it has a chance to sprout. It's time to grab your pruning shears and start cultivating your communication garden!
