MANAGEMENT NEWS 

4 STEPS TO SUPERCHARGE TEAM ENGAGEMENT

HOW TO LEAD WITH THE:  GAIN COMMUNICATION CONFIDENCE COURSE

BY GREG KAISER SR.

In today's digital age, we're drowning in communication options. Yet, despite the abundance of tools, many teams struggle with misalignment, missed deadlines, and low productivity. The problem? People confuse activity with productivity. Activity is just motion; productivity is forward motion.

Your employees know how well—or poorly—you communicate. In fact, poor communication consistently tops employee dissatisfaction surveys every year. If your team isn’t aligned, if tasks fall through the cracks, and if projects stall, it often boils down to a breakdown in communication. Managers who can't communicate effectively often find their careers stalled.

Effective Communication is the Foundation of Success

Communication is the glue that binds all management activities together. Great communicators not only move up the corporate ladder faster but also create more engaged, productive teams. The key to effective communication lies in structure, purpose, and motivation.

A Proven Process for Effective Communication

Here's a four-step process to help managers improve their communication skills: 

1. Recognize When You're Communicating: This may seem obvious, but often it’s not. Managers communicate all the time—through meetings, emails, and even non-verbal cues. Each interaction should be intentional, not reactive. Recognizing these moments helps prevent communication breakdowns.
2. Understand the Direction of Communication: Many managers are stuck in a one-way communication mindset. Communication flows both ways: from you to your team (talking) and from your team to you (listening). As a manager, you handle 360-degree communication, which means you need to be aware of sending and receiving messages to and from higher-ups, direct reports, peers, and cross-functional teams.
3. Define the Purpose of the Communication: Before you send that email or call a meeting, pause and ask yourself: What’s really the message, and how does it align with the team’s goals? How will your team interpret it? If you’re unclear on the purpose, your message will only create confusion. Use a clear structure that works with how people process information. Clear, purpose-driven communication not only informs but also motivates your team.
4. Determine the Desired Action: Every communication should lead to a specific action. If you can’t clearly state what that action is, your communication is ineffective. When you communicate with purpose and clarity, accountability becomes automatic. Your team knows what’s expected of them, why it’s important, and how their actions contribute to the bigger picture. This clarity builds trust and fosters accountability without micromanagement. 

The Power of the: Gain Communication Confidence Course

By mastering these four steps, managers can develop the business communication confidence needed to drive productivity, accountability, and team success. Effective communication isn't just a skill; it's a strategic advantage.