Team Communication Strategies

What is a team without coordination... and how can team members coordinate without a team leader? A team leader is a person who leads the team while giving each and every team member the right to be a leader in themselves. He not only possesses good leadership and guidance skills, but is also a good communicator. In the words of James Humes, "The art of communication is the language of leadership." If the team has an effective leader who can communicate the goals and objectives of the team, in synchronization with the goals and objectives of the individual members through effective two way communication, then there is nothing that can stop the team from succeeding. So, what are some effective strategies for fostering good team communication? The next section discusses all this and more...

Why Does a Team Require Effective Communication Strategies?

You would know the answer to this question if you have been a part of a team where there were no effective communication strategies! I was a part of such a team, and let me tell you what it was, to be in that team. The team leader was busy taking care of other "important things". We were told what is expected of us, but I don't remember anyone coming to us team members and asking what we expected of them. There was hardly any "recognition" for your efforts, but if you have not met your targets, there will be a "noticeable discussion" to make you feel that it is because of "you" that the team couldn't win!!!

It is very important to understand that when you are working in a team, as a team leader, there are others who take you as their mentor. Therefore, it is your responsibility to make sure that your "lack of effective communication" shouldn't be the cause of unmet targets and delayed goal completion. From the example I gave you in the previous paragraph, do you think that a team like that would ever prove to be a happy and productive one? Most definitely NOT! Which is why we need effective team communication strategies to channelize all the individual efforts in a team, towards the overall team efficiency and productivity. This will help in the following ways.