Increase Connection, Increase Productivity (Even When You’re Busy)
Your team’s busy going in several different directions at once. You’re busy going in several different directions at once.
Yet, the need for connection doesn’t stop.
“Well-connected teams who can communicate effectively see a 20-25% increase in productivity” (McKinsey Report).
One thing about every single one of us is that we literally wired to connect. In our careers with busy days turning into busy weeks, months, and entire seasons, there are few connections we value more than the connection to our leader.
Just because you and your team are moving fast and furiously doesn’t mean you have to stop connecting. Hopefully, you’re still finding time to connect one on one and in team meetings, but what about in the days or weeks in between?
A great way to keep the connection strong and inspiring is through your written communication.
A simple, timely message from you – the leader, the captain, the visionary – can mean the world to those you lead at times when they may need an emotional connection the most. Whether it’s an email, a text message, or even through social media, use your written communication to stay connected with the hearts and minds of your team.
Here are five ways to make sure your written communication truly connects with those you lead:
- Make it timely
If you have special events, circumstances, or important happenings coming up, a timely message from you reassures everyone that you’re thinking about them and looking out for them. They’ll feel included as part of your collective effort to carry out your mission to realize your leadership vision.
- Make it purposeful
Especially in fast-paced environments and certainly as remote workforces become more and more mainstream, the temptation is to over-communicate with emails or text messages. The reality is too much could be a turn-off and actually cause some to disconnect.
However, if you challenge yourself to think before you hit send; and make sure each message you send has a purpose and a payoff on the other side, you’ll further connect with your team in every message.
- Make it informative
People always want to be noticed and known. They also want to know what’s happening inside the organization and how events happening outside the organization may affect them or their job. Keeping your team well-informed ensures they’re well-served. The more information you can provide the better; as it will keep everyone focused, efficient, and effective. When teams are not well-informed, people tend to create their own news feeding the rumor mill full of distractions.
- Make it succinct
You actually add value when your messages are easily read in bite-sized increments, consumable on the fly. If your messages are too long, many won’t take the time to read them. Others may view your messages as trying too hard or even desperate. Give just enough information to fulfill the purpose of your message and save the details for when you connect in person, on Zoom, or over the phone.
- Make it heartfelt
Less is often more when it comes to written communication. More often than not, it’s the smallest message which can mean the most to people.
Two words not heard enough, for example, are thank you.
Simply let them know you care about them as a person just as much as a team member. Show them love, appreciation, recognition, or encouragement, and you’ll connect with their hearts and minds every single time.
Lead with hospitality…
Need further support in getting your entire team onboard with creating a connected culture? Learn more about the Lead with Hospitality Commitment to Connection Learning Experience here or check out all the ways you can work with my team and I here.
In Commitment to Connection, your leadership team will learn:
- The psychology of motivating people.
- How to engage in effective one-on-one meetings to connect with teams on a personal, human level.
- How to prepare for and facilitate productive team meetings that bring members closer together; building trust and a sense of purpose within the team’s culture.
- How to use ongoing meaningful written communication to convey team goals whether employees are in the office or working from home.
