Want a high performing team?
Effective communication is the difference between a high performing team and a barely surviving one. It seems simple enough, right? Problem is…
Most leaders get it wrong.
They approach communication like it’s just another task to tick off the to-do list. They think it’s just about talking. But communication is so much more than that.
It’s about connecting with people. Inspiring them. Motivating them to take action.
And when you really nail it…
Communication has the power to transform your entire business.
In this guide we cover:
- Why Communication is more important than ever
- The high cost of poor communication
- 6 practical strategies to improve communication
- How to keep your team motivated long-term
Why Communication is more important than ever
Communication is no longer a “nice to have”. It’s the foundation of everything we do.
Let’s be honest…
Every project, every deadline, every goal is dependent on communication. Without clear communication nothing works.
86% of employees and executives list poor communication as a root cause of workplace failures.
That’s a significant number.
The good news?
Businesses who invest in public speaking services and business motivation training make remarkable progress. When business leaders learn how to communicate with clarity and purpose, everything changes. Business owners wanting to transform their leadership communication can work with Dr Jodie – keynote speaker for corporate events to help their teams develop the skills they need to inspire action and drive results.
Let me say that again…
Organisations with strong communication practices are 3.5 times more likely to outperform their competition.
That’s not a slight edge. That’s game-changing.
The high cost of poor communication
If communication was bad and expensive, that would be bad enough. But it gets worse…
Poor communication is more than just annoying. It’s expensive.
Messy messages lead to stalled projects. Missed deadlines. Valuable employees leaving and the cycle continues.
Teams with poor communication are 50% less productive than those with clear messaging practices.
But wait…
Employee turnover is also 25% higher in businesses with communication problems.
Employees who work in places with strong communication practices are more likely to stay. Constantly having to recruit and train staff is expensive. And a big drain on your time.
The solution is simple, but it requires intention.
6 communication strategies that actually work
Ready to take your team’s communication to the next level? Great, because we’re going to walk through the exact strategies that work.
These are the tactics and techniques that have been proven to work across industries and team sizes.
Be clear and direct
This one sounds obvious but it’s worth reiterating.
Vague instructions lead to vague results.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want people to know?
- What do I want them to do?
When you have a clear purpose for every message your teams will perform better. Period.
Avoid jargon, skip the corporate speak, just say what needs to be said.
Listen more than you talk
This one always surprises leaders.
The most effective communicators are the ones that listen the most. When people feel like they are being heard, they get engaged.
Employees who feel valued and heard are significantly more likely to remain with their employer for the long-term.
Listening is not passive. It’s one of the most powerful leadership skills you have at your disposal.
Create regular communication rhythms
Humans crave consistency. It helps us to feel safe.
Regular, clear communication is a big part of creating a safe work environment.
Whether it’s daily stand ups, weekly meetings or monthly reviews, what matters most is that the rhythm is consistent.
85% of employees reported that they felt more motivated when management delivered regular updates on what was happening around the company.
This is huge. But most leaders miss it.
Use multiple communication channels
Different people process information in different ways.
A big part of good communication is meeting people where they are.
Some people prefer face to face communication. Others do better with written words. The best communicators adapt to their audience.
Mix and match these approaches as required:
- In-person meetings for complex discussions
- Written updates for detailed information
- Quick messages for time-sensitive items
- Video calls for remote workers
Match the right channel to the message.
Give recognition publicly
Recognition is a powerful motivator.
When someone does great work, say so. And say so in front of other people. Public recognition helps to create a culture where excellence is praised.
84% of highly engaged employees were praised the last time they went above and beyond at work. Only 25% of actively disengaged employees received recognition.
Recognition is not a “nice to have” at work. It’s required.
Address issues quickly
Problems don’t get better with age.
When things go south on the communication front, do something about it. Immediately. Small miscommunications turn into big conflicts if left unchecked. The best teams deal with issues as they arise, before they have a chance to become major obstacles.
It takes courage. But it’s worth it.
Teams that address issues quickly build trust in the long-term. They develop a culture of honesty that makes everything else easier.
How to keep your team motivated long-term
Motivation isn’t something you can create with a one-off pep talk. It’s a process.
And the thing most people miss…
Motivation and communication go hand in hand. When communication improves, motivation follows. When communication breaks down, motivation quickly goes out the door
The communication strategies we covered above work, because they create the environment where motivation can grow.
Remove the mystery. Be clear. Create regular rhythms. Recognition great work.
But there’s more to it…
Teams stay motivated when they understand the “why” behind their work. They need to know why what they do matters. How it connects to the company’s mission and purpose. And how they personally contribute to success.
This is where leadership communication comes into play.
Great leaders don’t simply delegate work. They help their teams to see the big picture. To paint the vision of what success looks like and help everyone understand how they fit in. That’s what turns a job into a calling.
Companies with good communication practices see employee productivity increases by up to 25%.
Productivity isn’t just about working harder. It’s about working with purpose.
Wrapping things up
Effective communication isn’t difficult. But it does require commitment.
The 6 strategies in this article work because they are focused on what matters most. Connecting with people. Creating clarity. Building trust over time.
Let’s recap:
- Be clear and direct with every message
- Listen more than you talk
- Create consistent communication rhythms
- Use multiple channels strategically
- Give recognition in public
- Address problems before they grow
Pick one or two strategies and commit to mastering them.
Once you have those down, add more.
Teams that communicate well don’t just perform better. They enjoy work more. They stay with the company longer. They drive growth and success.
This is the power of effective communication in action.
Whether you are leading a small team or running a large corporation, the principles remain the same. Clear communication builds motivated teams. Motivated teams build successful businesses.
