Collaborative Communication: Building Stronger Teams

Take a moment to consider how much of your daily routine involves collaborating or communicating with others. Whether it's tackling a problem at work, dealing with a challenging client or coordinating who will pick up the kids from soccer practice, we are all constantly collaborating and communicating with other people.

And often, how we feel at the end of a work day—whether we deem it a good day or a bad one—is a direct result of the success or failure of these various interactions. According to a recent study, the average employee spends about 85% of their workweek on email, meetings and phone calls—this is a significant amount of time dedicated to communication and collaboration activities.

A defining aspect of human societies over time has been our ability to work together toward a common goal. Collaborative communication is more than just talking and listening; it's an intricate dance of sharing ideas, providing feedback and hearing other perspectives in a way that fosters mutual respect and achieves results. It involves empathy, open-mindedness and genuine interest in the contributions of others. Communication is not just about being heard, but about being understood, as well as understanding others in the process.

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving workplace, effective communication remains the bedrock of successful teams. It is the glue that binds diverse individuals together, enabling them to work productively toward common goals. But effective collaboration is not just about exchanging information—it's about creating a culture where every team member feels valued, motivated and heard. Unfortunately, we often overestimate our collaboration skills. A striking "86% of employees and executives cite the lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main causes of workplace failures," and 39% believe that their organization lacks sufficient collaboration.

To create a culture where collaborative communication drives productivity and engagement, focus on the following:

Strive for Open Communication

At the heart of collaborative communication lies trust. As we detail in our book The Bullseye Principle, trust is the currency by which we all do business, and without it, collaboration becomes nothing more than a buzzword.

To build trust, transparency is crucial. Teams need to operate with an open-book mentality, where information flows freely, creative conflict is welcome and decisions are made with input from all relevant parties. Open communication among team members fosters a supportive environment, boosting morale, motivation and productivity by up to 25%. This transparency cannot only create alignment but also empower team members, making them feel like part of the team's success.

Listen To Each Other‍

Active listening is a cornerstone of collaborative communication. It's not just about hearing words but about understanding the emotions and intentions behind them. Active listening involves giving one’s full attention to a collaborator, supporting them with nonverbal cues (such as nodding to signal agreement) and asking clarifying questions to ensure alignment.

A team is a melting pot of diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and harnessing this diversity can turn it into a powerful asset. Encouraging team members to share their unique viewpoints can help foster a culture of innovation and creativity. It can break down silos and encourage teamwork, leading to solutions that are well-rounded and comprehensive. And there’s more good news: "When you listen to your employees, they are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to do their best at work."

Embrace Feedback‍

Feedback is an essential component of collaborative communication and serves as an excellent catalyst for growth. However, recent reporting reveals that managers are falling short in providing the desired feedback to workers. While 64% of employees expressed a preference for receiving feedback on a monthly basis, only 23% reported actually receiving it that frequently.

For feedback to be effective, it must be constructive. Constructive feedback focuses on behaviors and outcomes rather than personal attributes. It is specific, actionable and delivered with empathy. When team members feel that feedback is aimed at their growth and development, they are more likely to embrace it and use it to improve their performance. For collaborative communication to thrive, teams need to create psychological safety where members feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment or retribution.

Tackle Challenges Together‍

As anyone who has ever spent time in a corporate job knows, problems will arise, setbacks will occur and fires will need to be put out. Working as part of a team offers many benefits when these types of difficult situations rear their ugly heads.

For example, teams can often complete tasks more efficiently than individuals working alone. When challenges are faced collectively, the burden of responsibility is distributed, reducing stress and increasing motivation. And achieving success as a team can often be more satisfying and morale-boosting than accomplishing something as an individual.

For collaboration to be effective, people want to feel a strong purpose in the work they do and that their efforts are contributing to the overall success of the company. Above all, when a team encounters a challenge, it is important to stay connected and work quickly as a unit to find a solution or implement change.

Final Thoughts‍

Leadership, of course, plays a crucial role in fostering collaborative communication. Leaders need to be role models, demonstrating effective communication and setting the tone for the rest of the team. A boss or manager should encourage open dialogue, provide regular feedback and create opportunities for team members to collaborate and share ideas. By prioritizing communication and collaboration and providing a safe and creative environment in which to work, leaders can build high-performing teams that are resilient, adaptable and innovative.

Collaborative communication is the key to building stronger, more cohesive teams and ensures that all team members clearly understand their goals, tasks and expectations, thereby reducing the risk of misunderstandings and mistakes. But collaborative communication requires a concerted effort to foster trust, embrace diversity and manage conflict effectively. By creating a safe space for open dialogue, and encouraging continuous improvement, teams can harness the power of collaborative communication to achieve their goals and drive organizational success.

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Original article by G. Riley Mills can be found here on Forbes.