How can you create a culture of open communication in a team?

Communication is essential for any team, especially in the live events industry, where deadlines are tight, expectations are high, and surprises are inevitable. But how can you foster a culture of open communication in your team, where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas, feedback, and concerns? Here are some tips to help you create a more collaborative and transparent work environment.

1 Establish trust and respect

The foundation of open communication is trust and respect. You need to show your team members that you value their input, listen to their perspectives, and support their growth. You can do this by giving them clear expectations, regular feedback, and recognition for their achievements. You can also encourage them to share their opinions, suggestions, and challenges, and respond with empathy and honesty. Trust and respect also mean avoiding gossip, blame, and criticism, and addressing any conflicts or issues directly and constructively.

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Diana Lee

Application Support Specialist @ HP | Analytical Skills | Coaching Lifetime Learner
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In my experience I would start building the icebreaker session offsite to loosen the social stresses and tie the bond gradually. Do relaxation/getting familiarized with one another session to establish relationships with team members may start weekly, later monthly or quarterly. Will present my ideas lastly, allow other team members can speak freely without feeling limited. Will constantly encourage team members to feel free to express themselves and compliment them for participating the discussions and sharing their ideas. Spot some supporting team members and assigning them as sub-leaders to convert other wandering members and unite them soon.

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Bill Dolan (Spirit Media)

Emmy-Nominated TV, Video & Event Director | Messaging Strategist | Author, “The 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing” | Leadership and Near Death Experience (NDE) Keynote Speaker 🎬 ❤️ 🎬
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Ultimately trust is earned by consistently doing the right thing. It really only takes one hurtful moment for someone to question your leadership and integrity. Consistency and understanding the perspective through which your team views life and work, can help shape the direction and style of your communication.

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2 Use the right tools and channels

The live events industry relies on various tools and channels to communicate effectively, such as emails, phone calls, chat apps, video conferencing, project management software, and more. You need to choose the right ones for your team, depending on the purpose, urgency, and frequency of your communication. For example, you might use email for formal and detailed messages, chat apps for quick and informal updates, and video conferencing for meetings and presentations. You also need to set some guidelines and norms for using these tools and channels, such as when to reply, how to format your messages, and what tone to use.

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Bill Dolan (Spirit Media)

Emmy-Nominated TV, Video & Event Director | Messaging Strategist | Author, “The 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing” | Leadership and Near Death Experience (NDE) Keynote Speaker 🎬 ❤️ 🎬
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The right tools are more than just choosing what’s convenient. In the production industry, use the tools that will: ✔️ Respond in the timeframe necessary ✔️ Honor the means through which your team and client want to be communicated ✔️ Document for easy reference, or if necessary, for legal and tax purposes

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3 Encourage feedback and dialogue

Open communication is not just about sending information, but also about receiving and exchanging it. You need to create opportunities for feedback and dialogue in your team, where everyone can ask questions, share insights, and learn from each other. You can do this by conducting regular surveys, polls, or reviews to gather feedback on your team's performance, satisfaction, and needs. You can also organize brainstorming sessions, workshops, or debriefs to discuss ideas, challenges, and solutions. And you can invite your team members to contribute to your decision-making process, by soliciting their input, opinions, and votes.

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Nadia Samsodien

LinkedIn Top Voice I Entrepreneur I AI Enthusiast I The Top Person Nominee - Global Business Influencer l PR I Promotional Media I Referral Partner I Multi - Award Winning Customer Service & Sales I
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Create the environment which allows your team to speak freely and openly as this will inevitably lead to better understanding and trusting relationships ❤

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4 Be clear and concise

One of the biggest barriers to open communication is confusion and misunderstanding. You need to avoid these by being clear and concise in your communication, whether it's written or spoken. You need to use simple and direct language, avoid jargon and acronyms, and provide examples and evidence to support your points. You also need to structure your communication logically, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, and use headings, bullet points, or numbers to organize your information. And you need to check your communication for accuracy, clarity, and completeness, before you send or deliver it.

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Bill Dolan (Spirit Media)

Emmy-Nominated TV, Video & Event Director | Messaging Strategist | Author, “The 7 Disciplines of Relationship Marketing” | Leadership and Near Death Experience (NDE) Keynote Speaker 🎬 ❤️ 🎬
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Sometimes being clear and concise also requires repetition. If we are informing team members: ✔️ Share information in a logical point by point method. ✔️If you are asking for someone to do something, state it upfront, give the explanation that is necessary to fulfill the request, and restate your request at the conclusion. ✔️ Then ask when the action will be completed. Too many requests are buried in messages and lost when there is no clear accountability or call to action.

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5 Adapt to different styles and preferences

Another challenge to open communication is that people have different styles and preferences when it comes to communicating. Some people are more introverted or extroverted, more analytical or creative, more visual or auditory, and so on. You need to adapt to these differences and tailor your communication accordingly. You can do this by observing and learning about your team members' personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, and adjusting your tone, pace, and format to suit them. You can also ask them for feedback on how they prefer to communicate, and accommodate their requests and suggestions.

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6 Model and promote open communication

Finally, the best way to create a culture of open communication in your team is to model and promote it yourself. You need to lead by example, by being open, honest, and respectful in your communication, and by following the tips and best practices mentioned above. You also need to encourage and reward open communication in your team, by praising and thanking them for their contributions, acknowledging and addressing their concerns, and celebrating and learning from their successes and failures. By doing this, you will create a positive and productive work environment, where your team can thrive and deliver amazing live events.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you create a culture of open communication in a team?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Establish trust and respect

2 Use the right tools and channels

3 Encourage feedback and dialogue

4 Be clear and concise

5 Adapt to different styles and preferences

6 Model and promote open communication

7 Here’s what else to consider

Live Events

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How can you create a culture of open communication in a team?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Establish trust and respect

2 Use the right tools and channels

3 Encourage feedback and dialogue

4 Be clear and concise

5 Adapt to different styles and preferences

6 Model and promote open communication

7 Here’s what else to consider

Live Events

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