Whether you’re managing a team you see in person every day, or you’re spending a lot of time working remotely, maintaining a steady and efficient stream of communication will always take work.
Utilising instant messaging and communication tools may help here with general day-to-day chat, but there’s really no replacement for talking things through in person when there’s a problem. Especially if it’s something particularly sensitive, or something that could be lost in translation.
To answer this question well, focus on the key elements and methods that allow you to avoid miscommunication – whether it’s by being sure to provide context in messages, or providing the opportunity for staff members to ask questions on a task they aren’t sure of.
Remember: all it takes is one rushed email or poorly thought out brief to throw off your team’s dynamic. Something that, as a good manager, it’s your responsibility to mitigate against.
Right answer: ‘I find that avoiding miscommunication comes down to using the right methods for certain types of contact. For example, if I have a quick question to ask another member of the team, I’ll usually drop them a message on chat. But if it’s something I need to refer back to later – then I’d use email. However, sometimes things can get lost in translation so speaking directly – whether it’s in person or over the phone – can be essential in certain situations.