Champion Leaders Resolves Communication Breakdowns
Situation
A team of highly knowledgeable urban planners who generally worked well
together, recognized that communication within the team was beginning to
deteriorate. The two department leaders lacked respect for one other. People
were not communicating with each other on their projects. Senior team players
felt no one listened to their concerns.
The team leader recognized he had a talented team, but they struggled with
honest direct communication and avoided engaging in passionate debate of ideas.
The client hired us to spearhead the organization’s summer retreat to help
strengthen communication skills and provide tools for open, empowering feedback.
Solution
Our first task was to meet with the client and explore successful
communication strategies and techniques. Individuals then completed a
customized DISC assessment to identify each one’s unique
behavioral style and how it affects others’ communication within the team. Our
challenge was to unveil proven strategies to help each individual meet the needs
of the other team players in specific situations.
Hence, we arranged a day and a half retreat at a resort location. The purpose
of the event was to showcase an environment of openness and honesty while
simultaneously encouraging individuals to reveal the unspoken issues that were
blocking effective communication. An extensive, interactive feedback exercise
highlighted the event where each team member received honest feedback from their
peers. During the process, the group learned how to take risks when offering
feedback as well as to appreciate and tap into one another’s skills and
experiences.
As a result of our advice and coaching, the group concluded the retreat with
a strong, solid, action plan for more structured communication designed for
individuals to share what each was doing and achieve mutual support. Specific
techniques for displaying critical topics openly and honestly and extracting
ideas from others highlighted the plan.
Results
Three months later in a follow-up meeting, the planners unanimously agreed
that Champion Leaders' practical communication strategies and tactics created a
unified team of talented, ambitious employees who feel more recognized,
acknowledged, and respected.
There is a culture of trust where leaders and employees are supercharged,
motivated and dedicated to contributing to their success and that of the
organization.
Because collaboration and open discussion are now the norm, team members
perform more actively and results come with a lot less struggle and effort.
