Here’s an equation for influencing your team and creating a better culture.
Communication = Connecting people = Culture
Let’s break it down further. Communication is at the heart of connecting people, and culture is an expression of how people feel connected. When one falls apart, it impacts the whole equation.
Think of your communication as a ripple in a pond. Every interaction—whether it’s a team meeting or a casual check-in—sends out waves that touch everyone. Are those ripples creating calm, clarity, and connection, or are they stirring up confusion and unease? Understanding this dynamic is key to unlocking your team’s full potential.
Communication is like the invisible architecture that holds up a thriving team culture or, if neglected, lets cracks appear.
Ever experience an environment where you weren’t able to fully express yourself?
How did you feel?
Like many, when we aren’t able to fully express ourselves, we feel distant from the relationship. It feels strained, it feels broken, etc.
Foundation: Communication Builds Trust and Morale
Communication is the pillar in which trust is built, and trust is the bedrock of any high-performing team.
Communication exchanges that are open, honest, and with empathy builds strength. When leaders are fully engaged with their team, trust flourishes and team cohesion strengthens.
Sadly, the inverse is also true – in poor communication is the fast track to eroding trust. Nearly 43% of employees lose trust in their leadership due to inadequate communication. A lack of trust stifles creativity and innovation, team members avoid calculated risk, and of course all this takes a toll on team morale.
What were the signs that confirmed you were losing trust in your leadership?
Likely, it started with a communication style difference: passive, passive-aggressive, or even aggressive communication style. These lead to putting distance between people and can harm the trust of the team.
Morale is a culmination of trust, communication, loyalty, patience, etc. leaders who communicate with empathy and motivation can uplift their teams, creating a more positive and engaging work environment. When people feel heard, understood, and valued, their job satisfaction and overall well-being get a powerful boost.
On the flip side, a dismissive or unclear communication style can deflate a team’s spirit.
The truth about trust and morale is it’s easy to break, but takes active effort to rebuild. So, whenever possible continue to create an trustful relationship because the cost of losing trust and impacting morale have ripple effects in the team, colleague dynamics, performance, burnout, etc.
Mobility: Empathy, Psychological Safety, and the Spark of Innovation
Lead with empathy, and you give yourself and your team permission to communicate openly.
Empathy, a core competency of EQ (emotional intelligence), is your ability to put yourself in another person’s shoe, to learn, feel, and engage from their perspective. It allows you to stay curious and non-judgmental in your interactions and helps you create an environment that foster positive and constructive communication.
Empathy is the guiding principle to strong communication skills, which build trust and morale. As a result of your empathy, assertive communication style, and building trust you can create a sense of psychological safety.
Psychological safety is feeling safe to take interpersonal risks, to speak up, to disagree openly, to surface concerns without fear of negative repercussions or pressure to sugarcoat bad news. (McKinsey and Company)
This is the desired goal for all organization, once you’ve established a level of psychological safety within your team, you’re getting to the highest level of team cohesion and performance. This kind of environment is a breeding ground for innovation. When employees feel safe, they’re more likely to be innovative. Empathetic leaders encourage their teams to stretch, learn, and create, even when things don’t go as planned.
Authenticity in leadership plays a vital role here.
Are your words and actions aligned with your core values?
When they are, it builds deeper trust and reinforces that sense of safety. Projecting authenticity and credibility creates an environment where people feel motivated to contribute their best efforts.
Unlocking Potential: Communication's Role in Engagement and Growth
Clear, consistent, and supportive communication is a powerful driver of employee engagement.
How often do you articulate expectations clearly, provide regular feedback, and recognize contributions?
When team feel connected to their work and the organization’s mission, engagement soars.
A commitment to communication not only strengthens individual relationships but also lays the groundwork for a thriving organizational culture. When employees see leaders who genuinely invest in their development and celebrate their achievements, it fosters a sense of belonging and purpose.
This can lead to improved performance and a greater willingness to go above and beyond.
Incorporating tools and resources such as team-building activities and feedback platforms can also facilitate open dialogue and continuous improvement. By integrating these practices into your leadership approach, you cultivate an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and innovate.
Ultimately, communication is the bridge that connects vision to execution. By mastering this skill, leaders can navigate challenges with confidence, inspire their teams to reach new heights, and create a legacy of success that resonates throughout the organization.
Multiplier Effect: Choosing Connection Over Disconnection
The impact of a leader’s communication echoes throughout the team. Poor communication can lead to disengagement, frustration, and higher turnover. It’s often said that “people don’t leave jobs; they leave leaders,” and communication breakdowns are frequently at the heart of this.
Conversely, leaders who prioritize open, empathetic, and consistent communication build resilient, collaborative, and innovative teams. They create an environment where people feel valued, understood, and empowered to do their best work.
By fostering a culture of open dialogue and mutual respect, these leaders not only enhance individual performance but also drive the collective success of the organization. They understand that communication is not merely about exchanging information; it is about building relationships and creating a shared vision.
Investing in communication training and development for both leaders and team members can be transformative. Workshops on active listening, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution can equip teams with the skills they need to communicate effectively and constructively. Encouraging regular feedback sessions also helps to maintain an open channel for communication, allowing issues to be addressed promptly and preventing misunderstandings from escalating.
Ultimately, the most successful leaders are those who view communication as an ongoing journey rather than a destination. They continuously seek to refine their skills, adapt to the evolving needs of their teams, and remain open to feedback. In doing so, they not only enhance their leadership effectiveness but also cultivate a thriving organizational culture where everyone feels heard, respected, and motivated to contribute their best.
Communication and Career Advancement
Your communication is more than just a series of messages; it’s a powerful force that shapes your team’s reality.
By choosing to communicate with clarity, empathy, and authenticity, you build the foundations of trust, foster psychological safety, and unlock your team’s collective potential. The effort you invest in honing your communication skills will pay off in the form of a more engaged, innovative, and successful team, ready to tackle challenges and achieve great things together.
Most people stop advancing not because of their work, but their communication style.
Schedule a consultation and see how quickly you can improve your communication skills and become a multiplier for your organization.
