The role of effective communication and how to achieve it

Good communication is a key component of any business. It makes sense, doesn’t it? You don’t want to go to a doctor who doesn’t listen to what you’re saying. The same goes for a server at a restaurant, a salesperson at a car dealership, a lawyer. Can you imagine if real estate agents were poor communicators? As a real estate business owner, I’ve seen first-hand that great communication skills are critical to the success of the company.

If your team struggles with effective communication, keep in mind it just needs to be practiced, modeled, and shared. The more you focus on being clear and intentional in your communication, the more it becomes a precedent in your company. I frequently share my thoughts with my team that the best way to communicate is to pick up the phone and call, or have a face-to-face conversation. Things like text messages and emails are too informal. Getting in front of a person to talk to them, see how they’re reacting, and to be top-of-mind with them can go much further to effectively communicate.

We can all use practice communicating better within our teams. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or still trying to navigate the best way to improve communication throughout your business, the following practical tips can help your entire team boost their skills.

Practice active listening

Active listening takes deep listening. That means listening to understand what the person is saying, not just listening to reply. One of the psychologists who defined this concept for the field of psychology said that great active listening should be empathetic, genuine, and respectful. Research shows when it’s used in the workplace, managers were able to better support their team, which resulted in more success on the job.

It’s not always easy, and it often takes practice to put the techniques to work. Experts recommend being intentional about giving others your full attention, removing any distractions to listen deeply. Ask questions to get more details or to clarify what is being said. Work on reflecting their emotions back to them, showing interest in what they’re saying, and reviewing the overall sentiment and context to what they’re saying. It’s techniques like these that will help you make a person feel heard.

Be clear in your messaging

Give your team the ability to succeed from the start by being intentional about your communication. With today’s short attention spans, it’s important to focus on brevity and clarity. It’s also good to plan what you’re going to say so you can be as prepared, no matter what the type of communication you may be using.

A few tips that can help you get to the heart of your message is to think about who you’re going to talk to and what your goals are for the message you want to convey. Thinking through the most important information can help you get rid of any details that are irrelevant and stay on track to share what’s important. Think about the key takeaway you want people to remember from your message. If you go off track from that message, you’re saying too much. Clarity is something we can all stand to practice regularly.

Be aware of nonverbal communication

Research shows 55 percent of a face-to-face conversation includes nonverbal communication. That means more is being communicated by what you’re not saying than the words that are coming out of your mouth. When you’re having conversations with your team, be intentional about what you’re saying nonverbally, too. Notice your tone and whether it’s matching what you’re trying to say. Think about smiling. Keep your arms uncrossed and use your hands to show you’re excited about what you’re talking about.

It's also important to watch for cues from your team. If you notice that a person’s face twitches, that they cross their arms or legs, or if they look away and avoid eye contact, it can tell you quickly how they’re responding to the conversation. Ask questions if you notice any closed off communication happening. It can make a big difference for your entire team.

Work to create a stronger team culture

One of the things any business needs to survive is a great company culture. Great culture leads to high performing, communicative team members who inspire each other every day and do great work. And one of the ways you can do that is through your communication efforts. You need to be transparent and be willing to talk to your team regularly. 

Your team culture is only as strong as you are. Make sure you’re sharing your team’s wins regularly. Make sure they feel valued, and that you’ve noticed their efforts. They should know they can speak up and be critical when necessary because that can make your business succeed more than ever before.

Build a space that invites emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence continues to grow as an important skill for today’s leaders. This term refers to our ability to manage and understand our emotions and the influence they can have on others. When you focus on understanding your emotions, it allows you to be self-aware and reflective, which can give you new perspectives. It helps you communicate in the ways outlined above. And it shows those around you that you’re caring, authentic, and accepting.

As you work on your own emotional intelligence, encourage your team to focus on theirs as well. This skill brings a new level of optimism to teams as their colleagues begin being more mindful of how they’re responding to each other. As they ask clarifying questions to better understand each other and their backgrounds, you’ll see more open communication. Make sure to support them as they work to build and enhance these important skills.

Model these skills for those around you

The best way to show your team the importance of great communication is to work hard at it yourself. When you show that you’re willing to incorporate these strategies into your environment, it will be noticeable. And it will lead to stronger collaboration with your teams, and a unified workplace. All it takes is some practice and mindfulness.

Jim Allen is a business leader and entrepreneur who has built one of the top-producing real estate groups in the Triangle. He is President of The Jim Allen Group, which is consistently named one of the top real estate teams in North Carolina and even North America.