How to Be a Super Communicator With Your Team – No Cape necessary!
- Wellness Australia Group
- Feb 7
- 4 min read
Imagine living in a world without communication—total chaos, right?
I recently had the joy of moving house (I hear ya! – big groan from those who’ve survived this). If you've been through it, and you are still with us and reading this, then you know that moving requires a juggling act of epic proportions - of organising your internet provider, removalists, cleaners, real estate agents, postie, mobile dog washers, rego change of address, vet, etc. and many more.
But, of course you have your super-duper mobile phone, don’t you? Your SUPER POWER! Or, do you?
Here’s where I stepped off the ledge of sanity… I asked Telstra for an NBN upgrade and then believed that it would happen just like three senior Telstra people told me it would.
Ha! Instead of an upgrade, I got a black hole—no phones, no Wi-Fi, no signal, just pure ‘Horse and Buggy’ communication. That means you drive to each physical location to meet the people helping you move, say: “Yeeha” and then drive home again ‘cos no one’s there and it’s all horse poo!
Meanwhile, because I couldn’t actually make or receive calls – and my homing pigeons were on their day off – the carpet cleaner arrived at the same time as the Japanese cleaner who didn’t speak English (but showed great non-verbal language swinging her bucket and mop at anyone who dared to come onto ‘her’ premises).
Japanese ladies with vicious mops and buckets are far more effective communicators than mild-mannered carpet cleaners who head for the hills when their lives are threatened. I couldn’t call anyone at Telstra because my phone wasn’t working. So yeah, communication? Pretty important.
Let’s look at working in Wellness.
If we had no internet, what could go wrong? This might be a little exercise you might like to consider for your house or business.
We have smart people who are excellent communicators, even with internet! But, lots can still go wrong. You send a perfectly friendly email and…
Communication at Work – why do people misunderstand me?
One moment, you think you’ve explained things perfectly, and the next, your team looks at you like you just asked them to solve quantum physics before their morning caffeine hit. Whether you're working with your team or presenting to leadership, communication is everything. Here’s how to do it effectively (and without making people’s eyes glaze over).
1. Keep It Clear and Concise
Nobody has time for long-winded explanations. Get to the point—this isn’t a suspense novel.
Pro Tip: Use the "BLUF" (Bottom Line Up Front) method. State your main point first, then provide details. That way, even if people tune out halfway through, they’ll at least remember the important stuff.
2. Listen Like You Mean It
Good communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about actually listening. Maintain eye contact, nod, and, you know, actually absorb what’s being said (instead of mentally planning your grocery list or next game of golf).
Easy Hack: Repeat key points to confirm understanding. “So, you’re saying the coffee machine isn’t working, and we’re on the verge of a workplace crisis?”
3. Adapt to Your Audience
Different situations call for different communication styles. When talking to your team, be open and collaborative. When addressing leadership, keep it high-level—focus on key points and impressive-sounding metrics. Make a Plan of Action and get agreement from all parties.
Quick Fix: Observe how your leaders communicate and match their style. If they love bullet points, give them bullet points. If they prefer slides, make some slides. If they enjoy salsa dancing… okay, maybe just stick with slides.
4. Choose the Right Communication Method
Not every message needs an email, and not every discussion requires a meeting (seriously, let’s not book another unnecessary meeting).
Email: Great for formal updates, but keep it short.
Meetings: Ideal for brainstorming and strategic discussions—just make sure there’s a clear agenda (and snacks never hurt).
Instant Messaging: Quick updates are fine, but let’s not flood inboxes with “just checking in” messages every five minutes.
5. KISS—Keep It Simple, Sweetheart
Overcomplicating things leads to confusion. Keep your message simple and jargon-free. If a 10-year-old wouldn’t understand it, try again. The Courier Mail, Brisbane’s major newspaper for decades, uses a proven formula to get readers to read their copy. They aim their writing at a ten-year-old's level – seriously!
Smart Tip: If you can say what you need to say in two sentences instead of five, do it. Clear, concise communication saves time and prevents misunderstandings. It will also reduce the cost of therapy for our bored-to-tears staff reading loooong emails.
6. Make It Safe to Speak Up
Great communicators create environments where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. If your team looks terrified every time you ask for feedback, you definitely need to rethink your approach.
Try This: Ask, “What are your thoughts?”—and actually mean it. Look interested while waiting for the first brave soul to offer their ideas. (I offer little packs of Smarties to anyone who is brave enough to give their ideas.) It works!
7. Watch Your Tone
Your tone can make or break your message. Even a simple email can sound passive-aggressive if you’re not careful. Remember, you don't have the advantage of reading the other person's body language.
Golden Rule: Never say (yawn) “Per my last email” when you can simply say: “Just following up!”—trust me, it reduces the risk of virtual eye-rolls.
8. Follow Up and Clarify
After important conversations, summarize key points and next steps so everyone’s on the same page (and no one can claim they “missed that part”).
Smart Move: Send a follow-up email: “Here’s what we agreed on. Let me know if I missed anything!” (Translation: “This is what we said, so let’s not pretend otherwise next week.”)
Final Thoughts
Some wise words on communication:"Keep it Simple Sweetheart!"
Here’s the nitty-gritty: Effective communication isn’t just a skill—it’s a superpower. It requires effort, listening, and constant improvement. But when done right, it builds stronger teams, better leadership, and a whole lot less frustration.
So, what’s one communication habit you’re going to work on this week?
