A lack of communication can result in delays or double work inside and outside of the workplaces. In modern workplaces, teammates complete individual tasks as part of larger projects. When teammates fail to give updates to other members, the team loses time and labors inefficiently. Colleagues lack clear directions. Coworkers perform unnecessary tasks or skip important steps due to a lack of critical information. When coworkers fail to reach out or reply, team members make incorrect assumptions and misunderstand intent. These misconceptions can lead to frustration, wasted time, and conflict.
Nobody can read minds. In order for teams to run smoothly, teammates need to communicate clearly and consistently with the rest of the crew. To foster communication within your teams, you should schedule regular meetings, create team channels on programs like Slack and Basecamp, and encourage casual conversation in places like break rooms and Gchat. You set the tone for your team’s communication style, so be sure to share information often, actively listen, and permit discussion.