How to talk to your team
Close your eyes for a moment and think about the best boss you ever had.
Now think of the worst one. What set them apart?
Most likely, your best boss not only achieved good results, but was also
a good communicator. Good bosses get the best out of their employees
every day, or at least give them the feeling they are achieving their full
potential. But how do they do it? In the context of this book, the question
is: How do you communicate properly with your employees, with your
team?
Obviously there can’t be a universal answer: every person, every
situation, every company, every relationship is different. At the same time
we all know that we should speak to our team the way we would like to be
spoken to: considerately, directly, clearly. We’ve translated these adverbs
into rules.
- Don’t criticize
This might sound a bit too easy-going. And, of course, you have to
evaluate the work of your employees – that’s your job. But go easy on the
criticism. Only start deconstructing if you’re prepared to help with the
rebuilding. Keep using ‘we’. Especially when your team has lost.
- Give praise (but not too much)
Go easy on the compliments, otherwise they lose their effect. If you
celebrate behaviour that you expect, you are lowering standards. Whatever
you do, don’t give praise simply to please.
- Practise what you preach
Nothing rings more hollow than words that aren’t backed up by deeds. If
punctuality and friendliness are important to you, then be punctual and
friendly. Set the pace, demonstrate values, establish the tone. But pick your
battles, only set standards that are important to you – or that you consider
to be generally important. You ought to be good at upholding standards
that are important to you, and if there are standards that you regard as