Tips for Encouraging Open Communication

Last week I mentioned implementing programs like "Food for Thought" to encourage brainstorming and outside-the-box thinking, as it relates to creating a culture of communication and feedback. Before the pandemic, I used to bring in breakfast, lunch or an afternoon snack and call the meeting Food for Thought where I would get feedback from the team on what is going well and what are the opportunities for improvement. Here are some ideas to incorporate this in a #hybridworkforce: ✅ Virtual Coffee Chats: Schedule virtual coffee sessions where team members can gather online and have casual conversations. This informal setting encourages open discussions and allows for sharing ideas and feedback. ✅ Collaborative Document Sharing/ Online Idea Forums: Utilize collaborative document-sharing tools such as Google Docs or Microsoft Teams to encourage real-time collaboration. Team members can contribute their ideas, provide feedback, and collectively work on projects or problem-solving tasks. ✅ Virtual Brainstorming Sessions: Conduct virtual brainstorming sessions using video conferencing tools. Facilitate interactive discussions where team members can share their ideas and engage in creative problem-solving exercises. ✅ Surveys and Polls: Use online survey tools to gather feedback from team members on specific topics or projects. Surveys can be anonymous to ensure open and honest responses, and the results can be shared and discussed during team meetings. ✅ Virtual Team Building Activities: Organize virtual team-building activities that encourage collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. These activities can include virtual escape rooms, online trivia games, or team challenges that promote communication and thinking outside the box. Remember, the key is to provide opportunities for active participation and engagement, regardless of the physical location of team members. By embracing technology and fostering a culture of open communication, you can create a collaborative environment conducive to generating new ideas and seeking feedback. Which idea do you like the most? #hybridsales #communication #culture #hybridwork

Leading a UX/UI team, especially a diverse group of 15, is no small feat. The key to harmonizing such a dynamic group lies in effective communication. Here are my top 5 tips for fostering clear and inclusive communication within your team: 1. Embrace Diversity in Communication Styles 🌍: Recognize and respect the different communication styles within your team. Some may prefer direct interaction, while others might lean towards detailed written formats. Adapting to these preferences can significantly enhance mutual understanding. 2. Regular One-on-One Check-ins 👥: Personalized meetings with each team member can create a safe space for open dialogue. This practice helps in understanding individual challenges and providing tailored support. 3. Transparent and Open Team Meetings📢: Encourage a culture where team members feel comfortable voicing their ideas and concerns. Regular, open team meetings foster a sense of belonging and collective problem-solving. 4. Utilize Visual Aids and Prototypes🖼️: In UX/UI, visual communication is as important as verbal. Use prototypes, wireframes, and visual aids to bridge understanding gaps, especially when explaining complex design concepts. 5. Continuous Feedback Loop🔁: Establish a continuous feedback mechanism where team members can provide and receive constructive feedback. This not only helps in personal growth but also in improving team dynamics. Effective communication is a journey, not a destination. It requires constant effort and adaptability, especially in a field as dynamic as UX/UI design. What are your strategies for effective communication within your team? Share your insights! #UXUIDesign #Leadership #TeamCommunication #DiversityInTech #EffectiveCommunication #DesignMeetsRhythm

Stop beating a dead intranet. If you’re leading employee communications, your job is NOT to shout carefully vetted messages from the ivory tower. Megaphones are for marching bands, not modern workplaces. The age of decreeing messages from the higher-ups with the expectation of silent compliance is over. We're in the era of dialogue, baby. The role of internal comms leaders is to create spaces where conversation flourishes—less shouting into the void and more stimulating discussion and debate. But organizations are still preaching from the corporate pulpit, expecting rapt attention from the masses. We're hoarding communication channels at the top while the rest of the organization starves for a voice. So why aren't companies democratizing communication? 1. Fear of relinquishing power: There's this stodgy notion that open communication equals chaos. In other words, fear rules the land, with lords worried about losing control if the serfs start having a say. 2. The illusion of open-door policies: Slapping an "open-door" label on a fundamentally closed communication system doesn't magically make it inclusive. 3. Hierarchical hangovers: The corporate ladder is still a thing, and it's casting long shadows over who gets to speak and who gets to listen. 4. Lack of tools (or will) to change: Either organizations are stuck with tools from the digital Stone Age, or there's resistance to adopting new platforms that foster open dialogue. But they should reconsider because… ⚡ Great ideas can come from anywhere, not just the C-suite. Open communication channels are where innovation thrives. ⚡ Employees who feel heard are employees who stick around.  ⚡A vibrant, open communication culture is the best kind of strategy an organization can hope to have. ⚡ When communication flows freely, trust follows. And in today's world, trust is the currency of choice. So, how can you get started democratizing your internal comms? 1. Adopt the right tools: Invest in platforms that are designed for the modern workplace, where dialogue, not monologue, is the default setting. Hint: your emailed internal newsletter and your creaky intranet site aren’t it. 2. Flatten the communication hierarchy: Encourage leaders to mingle in the digital town square, sharing, commenting and—most importantly—listening. 3. Train, don't just tell: Equip everyone with the skills to communicate effectively in an open environment. 4. Celebrate the voices: Recognize and reward those who contribute to the conversation. Make it known that every voice matters—and mean it.  #internalcommunications #employeecommunications #ThatAshleyAmber

The silent killer of your team efficiency: Closed communication. Closed communication loops can stifle innovation, breed resentment, and hinder progress. A 5-step plan to break out of closed communication loops: 1. Establish 'No Interruption' Zones • Set dedicated times for open discussion where all team members can share their thoughts without fear of interruption • Create a safe space by establishing ground rules, such as no judging, no interrupting, and respecting all perspectives • Encourage participation from everyone, especially quieter team members who may hesitate to speak up in typical meetings 2. Conduct Communication Audits • Regularly assess the effectiveness of your communication channels in promoting open dialogue and collaboration • Use anonymous surveys or one-on-one interviews to gather honest feedback about communication strengths and weaknesses • Analyze the data to identify patterns, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement in your communication processes 3. Implement 'Silent Meetings' • Begin meetings with a period of silent, written communication where all participants write down their ideas, questions, and concerns • This approach levels the playing field, giving everyone an equal chance to contribute without the pressure of speaking up in front of the group • Review the written feedback as a team, addressing each point and ensuring all voices are heard and valued 4. Encourage 'Active Listening' Workshops • Provide training for your team on the principles and techniques of active listening • Teach skills such as paraphrasing, asking clarifying questions, and maintaining an open, non-judgmental attitude • Practice active listening in role-playing scenarios and real-world conversations to build trust and foster two-way communication 5. Analyze Open-Door Policy Effectiveness • Gather data and feedback to evaluate the true openness and accessibility of your leadership team • Track metrics such as the frequency and duration of employee-initiated conversations, the diversity of individuals who take advantage of the open-door policy, and the outcomes of these discussions • Use this information to identify gaps between the intended and actual effectiveness of your open-door policy, and take steps to bridge those gaps Remember, breaking out of closed communication loops is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and commitment from all levels of the organization. Start small, be patient, and lead by example. Join the 12,000+ leaders who get our weekly email newsletter. https://lnkd.in/en9vxeNk

Do you have trouble getting the entire team to participate in group discussions, brainstorming sessions, etc.? To get people talking in group settings, create a safe and inclusive atmosphere. Here's how: 1. Set Ground Rules: Make it clear that all opinions are valued and that it's a judgment-free zone. 2. Small Talk First: Warm up with light topics so folks get comfortable speaking. 3. Use Open-Ended Questions: Questions that can't be answered with just "yes" or "no" open up the floor for more detailed discussion. 4. Direct Invitations: Sometimes people just need a nudge. Call on them directly but offer an easy out like, "Feel free to pass." 5. Silent Moments: Pause and allow silence. This gives people time to gather their thoughts and often encourages quieter folks to chime in. 6. Positive Reinforcement: When someone does speak up, validate their contribution, even if it's just a simple "great point." 7. Anonymity: Use tools or methods that let people contribute anonymously. Then discuss the anonymous points as a group. 8. Break into Smaller Groups: Big settings can be intimidating. Smaller group discussions can make it easier for people to open up. 9. Rotate Roles: Give different team members the role of facilitator or note-taker in each meeting to encourage active participation. 10. Follow-Up: If someone doesn't speak up but you think they have valuable insights, follow up privately. They may be more comfortable sharing one-on-one. Remember, the goal is not to pressure people into speaking but to make it easier for them to do so if they wish. #leadership #teambuilding #communication

Everyone Talks About Psychological Safety, But Here is How to Make it Happen. 6 proven ways to foster psychological safety at work: 1️⃣ Encourage open communication: Actively solicit your team's feedback, opinions, and ideas. This will create a culture where everyone feels comfortable speaking up. Speak last in group settings. ↳Example: "Thank you for the presentation, Rashmi. Before I share my thoughts, I'd like to hear feedback from the rest of the team first." 2️⃣ Be inclusive: Embrace diversity and ensure all voices are heard, regardless of their role or background. By valuing everyone's input, you create a sense of belonging and encourage diverse perspectives. ↳Example: "Jill, I know you have extensive experience in customer research. We haven't heard your perspective yet. What impact do you think this change can have on client retention?" 3️⃣ Show vulnerability: Admit when you don't know something or have made a mistake. This humility sets the tone for open communication, where team members feel safe discussing their mistakes and doubts. ↳Example: If you set an incorrect timeline: "You know what team, I clearly underestimated the effort needed here. My projections on the timeline were off. Let's re-baseline basis what we've learned." 4️⃣ Establish clear expectations: Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and goals, so team members understand their part in the organization's success. This clarity helps create a safe space for them to contribute and take risks. ↳Example: "Given that we are approaching launch, Mark will lead the overall readiness and cutover plan. He will send weekly updates and coordinate with each function on their expected deliverables." 5️⃣ Foster a learning mindset: Emphasize the importance of learning from mistakes and seeing failures as part of innovation. By doing so, you create a culture where employees feel safe to experiment and invent. ↳Example: "I wanted to recognize the team's willingness to experiment, even though the feature delivered did not reduce customer contacts. Let's deep dive into the current response model and adjust it based on learnings." 6️⃣ Celebrate curiosity: Encourage team members to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and think creatively. By fostering curiosity, you unleash the team's diversity of thought. ↳Example: "Great question, Simon! I actually never thought of it from this angle of customer preferences. What next steps can we take to validate this?" These insights are inspired by "The Fearless Organization" by Amy C. Edmondson - and brought to you by Omar's Desk. PS: When your team feels safe being who they are, learning, contributing, and challenging the status quo to drive improvement, you know you've created a truly safe environment for them to deliver their best work. Image Credit: psychsafety. co. uk ----- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

This week’s leadership tip is on being accessible to your team. This is a fundamental aspect of my leadership philosophy at CITY Furniture. As a servant leader, I want to ensure that I’m always available (during work hours) if the team needs me. We have over 35 CITY stores, 4 warehouses, 2 HQ’s and remote associates across the country. So it’s hard to be everywhere. That’s why I give out my personal cell phone, it's my way of saying “If you need me, I’m there for you." And even though we work all over the state, I’m just a call/text away. No matter the strategy, it's important to be accessible to your team! Here's why it matters: 1️⃣ Efficiency: Time is a precious resource. By providing direct access, we eliminate unnecessary layers and streamline communication channels. This allows for unfiltered insights, ensuring that I am aware of challenges, opportunities, and innovations on the ground level. Associates can hit me up directly, tackling challenges in real-time, and nipping potential problems in the butt. Yes, they usually go through their leadership first but if they feel it’s important for me to know, I encourage all associates to reach out.  2️⃣ Improves Communication: Helps foster better communication throughout the organization. I hope this simple gesture rubs off on our leadership teams and promotes good communication across departments.  3️⃣ Problem Identification and Solutions: Expedites the identification and resolution of problems, preemptively addressing challenges before they escalate to my level. When associates see how ready I am to problem solve & accept feedback, it fosters a similar proactive problem-solving culture within individual departments. I’ve seen this culture really improve over the last few years.  4️⃣ Promotes CITY Family: This fosters our corporate value of Family Spirit. The messages I receive often convey positive news, such as achieving sales records, improving customer reviews, personal milestones like weddings, etc. And during challenging times, offering my sincere support creates a meaningful and supportive environment. I love the one-on-one relationship that this allows me to have with the team. 5️⃣ Leading through empathy: The most important thing to me is that all CITY associates know I care about them and their wellbeing. It’s one of my top priorities. I want everyone to love their job and crush it. Nothing hurts my heart more when an associate doesn’t feel like we’re taking care of them properly. While it's not always possible to prevent every issue, being accessible to the team allows me to stay informed and promptly address any challenges that may arise.   Now, I want to learn from you! How do you foster accessibility and open communication in your organizations? Share your insights, strategies, or any success stories that have propelled your teams forward. #cityfurniture #leadership #entrepreneur #growthmindset #business #leanmanagement #thoughtleadership #buildingrelationships #servantleadership

In my 35+ years of experience, one key takeaway is clear: success in the business world hinges on effective communication. Clarity, simplicity and precision reduce misunderstandings, paving the way for streamlined collaboration. 👉 Active listening is paramount. Engage attentively in conversations, absorbing insights before responding. This cultivates a culture of respect within the team. 👉 Openness is key. Encourage an open-door policy, creating an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. This fuels innovation faster than you’d think. 👉 Leverage technology wisely. Embrace tools that facilitate seamless communication, from project management platforms to video conferencing. Consider the global context. Tailor your message to resonate with diverse audiences, understanding cultural nuances. At the end of the day, effective business communication is a strategic asset, fostering strong and collaborative connections. #effectivecommunication #tech #businesscommunication #smartData #collaboration

It's better to gain agreement than win an argument. For years I've helped subject matter experts become expert communicators. In that time, I've observed that experts are uniquely tempted to "win" discussions in meetings. As an expert, you are deep in the weeds. No one spends more time conducting research and interpreting the data than you. When others ask about your approach or conclusions, your instinct is to defend your position. Often defending your position erodes the collaborative spirit essential to progress. When you seek agreement, you build the trust that leads to groundbreaking discoveries. The next time a debate arises, please, by all means, state your case and then move to seek agreement. 1. Embrace open dialogue. 2. Actively listen. 3. Look for areas of common ground and build on these. 4. Value the disciplines and expertise of others. 5. Focus on the overarching team/corporate goal. All through academia your success is most often measured by individual victories. In industry, your work is a collaborative effort to reach a shared goal. Seek agreement. It leads to groundbreaking discoveries that benefit us all.

Communicating with clarity is crucial for success. But what if what you said isn't "what they heard"? Communication confusion among leaders and teams often happens because of: ➡️ Skipping Details You gloss over the important stuff. ➡️ Not Getting to the Point You’re using jargon and filler words. ➡️ Overuse of Nonverbals Your expressions don't convey the full message. ➡️ Avoiding Tough Conversations You don't want to cause disagreement. ➡️ You're Just Busy Communicating with everyone is a lot of work! Here's the good news: All it takes to become a better communicator? Intentional commitment. Here are 10 quick tips to ensure CCC ↳ Crystal Clear Communication: 1. Ask if they understand. There’s no better way to confirm they get it than by asking them to explain it back! 2. Share often. You may not always get it right in one shot. Plan for more opportunities to get your point across. 3. Keep it simple. Stay away from jargon and stick to the main idea. What's the “so what?” about it? 4. Try different methods. Share your messages through various media: Writing, speaking, storytelling, visuals. 5. Pay attention and listen intently. If you’re not focused on them, you can’t expect them to return the favor. 6. Remind them. Make it easy for others to recall your agreements. Ask them for takeaways and repeat your action items. 7. Avoid interrupting. Don’t just broadcast; let them finish their message. They’ll hear yours better after processing their own. 8. Watch their reactions. Pause if they aren't listening or look confused. Ask how they’re hearing you and what they think. 9. Take breaks. It’s better to preserve mental energy. Don’t hold them hostage. Everyone needs breaks. 10. Use examples. Use metaphors, examples, or descriptive language. It helps different learners understand you better. And lastly, lean into the moments you’re avoiding. That conversation you keep putting off? It's time to tackle it. Clear communication isn't just about being heard. It's about connecting, leading, and growing together. You've got this! Let's make every word count. __________ Enjoy this? Repost to share with your network ♻️. And follow Nihar Chhaya, MBA, MCC for more leadership tips. Thanks!