Gina London: Fostering a culture of communication and trust sets businesses up for success

The stricken look on Bill’s face as he absorbed Steve’s remark did not surprise me. He appeared taken aback and slightly resentful.

“Wait a minute,” I said to Steve. “Rather than making a blanket declaration without any examples to provide context, why don’t you try softening this by first exploring a smaller, more bite-sized concern about some facet of how Bill is leading the project.

“Then, alongside each concern, offer a solution and express your willingness to help. This step-by-step approach will allow you to bring Bill along with your thought process, instead of putting him in a defensive position from your first words. You’re announcing an imagined outcome and not reviewing the processes.”

“Hmmm,” Steve mused aloud, “I didn’t take time to consider another approach. I just said what was on my mind.”

In the breakneck pace of business, it’s hard to slow down and examine our ways of working. But the way we work is as crucial as the work itself.

It’s not just about ticking off tasks; it’s about how we approach our work every day. If Bill and Steve are supposed to work together, they need to take time to learn how to have more productive conversations. Conversations are our relationships.

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Cultivating a mindset of active consideration towards our working methods is a key ingredient for success. To create a better workplace, we must transition from siloed, transactional approaches to communicative, supportive, interdependent methods.

Unlock Collective Wisdom

Imagine a room full of people, each with unique perspectives and experiences. Now, picture them working in isolation, their insights confined. What a waste.

Only by fostering open communication and collaboration will we unlock the collective wisdom of our team. Every individual brings something valuable to the table.

Encourage regular and ad-hoc check-ins with colleagues. Ask more questions and make fewer assumptive declarations.

Foster trust and camaraderie

In the more isolated work environment, trust is often in short supply. Without open communication, misunderstandings and miscommunications happen, breeding a culture of suspicion.

Transitioning to a communicative and supportive approach will build trust. When colleagues feel heard, supported and valued, they are more likely to trust each other’s intentions and abilities. This trust forms the bedrock of a strong team, fostering camaraderie and collaboration.

Enhance accountability and ownership

In a transactional work culture, accountability often falls by the wayside. Finger-pointing and passing the buck become the norm, leading to a lack of ownership and responsibility.

Embracing a culture of openness and interdependence flips the script. When everyone feels accountable, not just for their individual tasks but for the collective outcome, a sense of ownership permeates the team. Regular check-ins and feedback loops provide opportunities to ensure everyone stays on track.

Cultivate adaptability and resilience

Change is inevitable in business. Those who can adapt, thrive, while others flounder. Siloed, rigid structures stifle adaptability, trapping organisations in outdated modes of operation.

On the other hand, communicative and supportive environments foster adaptability and resilience. By encouraging openness to new ideas, teams can navigate change with agility, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

Sustained Success

Success isn’t a one-time achievement. While a day of alignment may feel like a win, true success lies in consistent demonstration of aligned behaviours.

By embedding collaboration, communication and accountability into our work culture, we set ourselves up for sustained success. These values shouldn’t be treated as temporary fixes, but embraced as guiding principles for the lifespan of the business.

Transitioning from an isolated, non-direct-communications approach to an openly communicative, supportive one isn’t just a cosmetic change – it’s a fundamental shift in behaviour. It requires commitment, but the rewards outweigh the challenges.

How we make the transition

From my experience, it starts with holding a series of difficult conversations like the one I facilitated between Steve and Bill.

There were other members of their team present too – and the exchanges involved people sharing frustrations they had kept under wraps. Once the plaster is ripped off, it’s still painful, but with regular attention and care, the wounds begin to heal.

Standards such as punctuality, managing expectations, and regular check-ins provide the scaffolding upon which this transformation can occur. These ideals must be ingrained into the DNA of the organisation.

Leaders play a big role in this cultural shift. By modelling the behaviours they wish to see, and providing support, they create an environment where communication and collaboration flourishes.

The process of ownership is central to success. It’s not about passing the buck or seeking individual glory. It’s about recognising we’re all in this together and that workplace success depends on every one of us.

You can write to Gina care of SundayBusiness@independent.ie