You're managing a team with diverse communication preferences. How can you ensure effective teamwork?

One exercise I found to be helpful in assessing communication needs are through these Relationship Building cards — Coworkers edition. They help in asking questions colleagues need to know in order to have a productive and efficient team through effective communication.

Conducting an assessment of your team members' communication preferences is a vital step in fostering an effective and inclusive work environment. This process can be initiated through various methods, such as surveys, one-on-one discussions, or team meetings, each offering unique insights into individual preferences. Ultimately, this tailored communication strategy is crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive team environment, where diversity in communication styles is seen as a strength rather than a barrier.

Based on the information provided through the communication exercise — we can create boundaries and channels of communication.

These guidelines need to take everyone's preference in to account. While you may need quick responses, think of the staff who may need more time to process the information and allow them time to respond, even if they have a different deadline. This will help all staff, including neurodivergent staff, feel valued and appreciated. When it is a non-urgent matter, don't just send the one email. Schedule a follow-up email just as a reminder or maybe a quick message to act as a reminder to all staff that the deadline is approaching. This will help give everyone a chance as it may have slipped their mind for various reasons - workload, holidays, sickness

Utilize modern communication. — if speaking in ‘memes’ works — speak in memes. if a checklist works for communication and effective work gets done, do that.

Embrace modern communication methods to enhance effectiveness. If using memes resonates with your team, feel free to communicate in that style. Alternatively, if checklists facilitate clearer communication and productivity, implement them. The key is to adopt the approach that best suits your team's needs and preferences.

A diverse team is a valuable asset, bringing varied skills, knowledge, and fresh ideas to the table. Along with these differences come new technologies and communication styles. The more you embrace and refine your communication skills, the more effective your team will be. Take time to assess your team and understand their preferred communication methods. If you're unfamiliar with a technology they're using, don't hesitate to ask them to train you. This exchange not only empowers you but also fosters a collaborative environment. Remember, knowledge is power, and continuous learning drives success.

When team members have differing preference for how to communicate and share information and update It’s important to get feedback from team mates how effective that has been Has this been working well or not? Is effective communication happening? Are effective collaborations happening within the team ? Or work is being slowed down due to multiplicity of communication channels? Then tailor accordingly.

Continual feedback and being approachable will help ensure all staff members feel valued. Staff members change, technology changes, preferences change and working patterns change so constant feedback will make sure you are supporting all of your staff, whether they are in the office or remote. Some staff may have a preference for a tool you may not be aware of that could also support other staff members so regular feedback will highlight these

Keep an eye on how things are going by checking in with your team now and then. Watch how they interact and see if your communication game is strong. If something’s off, don’t sweat it—just tweak and try something new. The main goal is to keep everyone in the loop and working together like a well-oiled machine. When your team feels connected and informed, that’s when the magic happens.