12 Effective Communication Techniques for Startup Teams
Discovering the key to enhanced team synergy and efficiency, we’ve gathered insights from CEOs and top executives on communication strategies that really make a difference. From implementing structured feedback loops to adopting the daily huddle technique, explore the twelve transformative communication techniques these leaders swear by for boosting collaboration and productivity.
- Implement Structured Feedback Loops
- Foster Honest, Transparent Feedback
- Consolidate Communication Platforms
- Conduct Regular Team Retrospectives
- Use Collaborative Digital Tools
- Issue Clear, Direct Instructions
- Rotate Roles for Better Understanding
- Transform Collaboration With Trello
- Integrate Asynchronous Communication Channels
- Schedule Weekly Team Check-Ins
- Prioritize Uninterrupted Deep Work
- Adopt the Daily Huddle Technique
Implement Structured Feedback Loops
We have retrospectives and peer reviews, which are conducted regularly. They help to keep the employees accountable and provide updates on the progress of the project. The peer reviews occur between project durations, where team members keep each other accountable by ensuring they report the progress of their work to one another every day. At the stipulated time to end the project, we have the retrospective meetings.
During these meetings, team members must report the challenges encountered while undertaking the project and suggest possible adjustments that will help them perform better in the future. These two communication techniques have helped us to improve collaboration and productivity in my team.
Leah Wanjiku Gathoni
Associate Product Manager, Locklizard Limited
Foster Honest, Transparent Feedback
Fostering a culture of honest and transparent feedback has been key to improving our team’s productivity. We encourage open discussions, and I make sure to praise achievements, saying, “You did a fantastic job with that!” This positivity goes a long way in boosting morale. However, we don’t shy away from addressing issues. I prefer to offer constructive advice, such as, “I noticed this could be better—what if we tried it this way?”
This balance of recognition and open communication ensures that we tackle problems head-on, helping us work together more effectively.
Amar Ghose
CEO, ZenMaid
Consolidate Communication Platforms
One of the simple changes we made that seriously helped us communicate more effectively was reducing the number of communication platforms we were using. Right now, unless we desperately need to have a verbal conversation, all of our collaboration work takes place on Slack. Instead of forcing people to check their texts, emails, voicemails, and multiple chat platforms, they can now find everything they need in one place. It helps to keep people in the loop, especially when some are in the office and others are remote.
Nick Valentino
VP of Market Operations, Bellhop
Conduct Regular Team Retrospectives
I’ve found that implementing regular team retrospectives has significantly improved our collaboration. These meetings provide a dedicated space for the team to reflect on recent projects, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate successes. By fostering open and honest communication, retrospectives have helped us build trust, identify potential bottlenecks, and implement changes to enhance our teamwork and overall efficiency.
Danny Reddick
President, Reddick & Sons
Use Collaborative Digital Tools
One communication technique that has greatly improved our team’s collaboration and productivity is the use of collaborative digital tools, like project management software and shared documents. By centralizing our work in one accessible platform, we’ve streamlined information sharing and tracking. This transparency allows team members to easily update their progress, communicate updates, and collaborate in real time. The clarity and immediacy of these tools have helped reduce misunderstandings and duplicated efforts, ultimately making our team more agile and effective in achieving our objectives.
Adrian Pereira
Co-Founder, Eco Pea Co.
Issue Clear, Direct Instructions
As a new entrepreneur, I made the mistake of issuing soft commands. I was more concerned with being nice than getting things done, and this resulted in poor productivity and missed deadlines. Work was often messy and incomplete, and I only had myself to blame. I’d given my team far too much leeway.
I needed to take a hard look at my own role. If I’m the leader, then I’d better act like it. No more couching directives in weaselly language; instead, I began issuing instructions in clear and concise terms with no wiggle room.
To my surprise, my team didn’t like me less. In fact, they appreciated a more direct approach and hadn’t truly enjoyed being left to govern themselves. Productivity increased, and they turned to me more often for advice and collaboration because they trusted my leadership capabilities.
Carlos da Silva
Physician Assistant, PA Career Hub
Rotate Roles for Better Understanding
Implementing role rotation has been a fantastic strategy for enhancing our team’s collaboration. Every few weeks, we rotate team members through different roles or responsibilities related to our projects. This approach not only helps everyone understand different aspects of our work but also fosters empathy and better communication across the board.
When team members experience each other’s challenges and responsibilities firsthand, they become more supportive and effective collaborators. It’s a simple but powerful way to keep everyone engaged and improve overall team dynamics.
Samantha Odo
Real Estate Sales Representative & Montreal Division Manager, Precondo
Transform Collaboration With Trello
Incorporating Trello as a project management tool has transformed the way my team collaborates and boosts productivity. Prior to the integration of Trello, we experienced what is called communication overload, where there were long email chains, deadlines not being met, and some members of the team feeling out of the loop.
This problem reached its peak when we lost a significant client due to poor tracking of the client’s queries. That was an eye-opener. We were looking for a tool that would make it easier to see where everyone was at within the process and facilitate the conversation.
That’s when we brought in Trello, and I remember the first big win we achieved with it quite vividly. We had a travel campaign where actions for many destination countries with the same deadline overlapped. I created Trello project boards for each of the campaigns and color-coded tasks based on their urgency within the timeframe allocated, and set deadlines for the tasks.
Each of the team members worked on their task lists independently, but they had the ability to see who among their colleagues was working on what. It was not only about giving out tasks but also about how to help each member of the team take ownership of their section without losing the context.
One moment that stands out in its originality is when we had a campaign to offer a winter getaway package. One task seemed to be stalled—content that could not proceed without design clearance. With Trello, there was none of that, and the designer took care of it pretty fast. Such collaboration in real-time knocked off days from our turnaround period.
In just three months, we increased our project completion rate by 30% and improved on-time delivery. The saddle and stirrups offered by Trello resulted in fewer frantic finish attempts and allowed for more time for inventive work. We also added Slack, so whenever it was updated, no one had to go back to that platform and recreate their work.
I suggest it is not enough to create a new board with the help of Trello and leave it there. Build boards around what your team does, organize reviews regularly to look for clogs, and rejoice in the tiniest of achievements so that they do not end up being forgotten. These incremental changes made Trello an indispensable tool for us.
Soubhik Chakrabarti
CEO, Canada Hustle
Integrate Asynchronous Communication Channels
One communication technique that has dramatically improved our team’s collaboration and productivity is the integration of asynchronous communication channels alongside real-time ones. Early on, we noticed that constant back-and-forth in real-time meetings was draining our team’s energy and limiting deep work.
By shifting to tools like Slack for asynchronous updates and using Loom for video explanations, we’ve empowered our team to respond thoughtfully and on their own schedule. This approach has led to more considered decisions and allowed our globally distributed team to work seamlessly across different time zones.
Dinesh Agarwal
Founder, CEO, RecurPost
Schedule Weekly Team Check-Ins
Scheduling a weekly check-in meeting has done wonders for our team’s collaboration and productivity. Having a meeting where anyone can bring up concerns, ask questions, or just share what they’ve been working on ensures that we are communicating clearly. Plus, nothing important gets lost in Slack or email.
Everyone can sometimes feel like they’re working in their own world, and a check-in meeting helps make us feel like part of a team. We make sure to keep the meetings brief so they don’t diminish productivity rather than helping it.
David Holman
Digital Marketing Director, Weepli
Prioritize Uninterrupted Deep Work
Allowing deep, uninterrupted work was the key to our team’s productivity. Tools like Teams and Slack are great, but they also allow for many interruptions. You are collaborating, but you pay for it in productivity. Trying to keep communication mostly asynchronous and scheduling time at predefined slots encourages the team to be productive.
You don’t need to change your tooling for that. There are multiple ways to disable notifications when you need to be focused. It is critical not to interrupt the team with non-urgent messages. Those messages can be conveyed via asynchronous messaging, like collaboration platforms or email, or discussed during a pre-scheduled meeting.
Technology can help embrace collaboration. When not in focus mode, tools like Slack allow team members to create a video chat quickly. Having blocked the hours in their calendar when they do deep work, it is clear when someone is available to chat. Any existing calendar software will work to share calendars.
The best way to achieve both collaboration and productivity is not to introduce more tools but rather to try to use the tools you have more effectively, ensuring there’s a way to do deep, uninterrupted work. When not doing deep work, there’s space for collaboration.
Edward Viaene
Managing Director, IN4IT LLC
Adopt the Daily Huddle Technique
I faced challenges in maintaining clear communication within our growing team. From product development to distribution, the business has many moving parts. In the early days, we struggled with miscommunication, shifting priorities, and missed deadlines. That all changed when we implemented the Daily Huddle—a simple, yet highly effective, communication technique that significantly improved both our collaboration and productivity.
A Daily Huddle is a brief, focused meeting held every morning. It lasts no more than 15 minutes, allowing each team member to provide quick updates on what they are working on, any obstacles they are facing, and their top priority for the day. This structured approach ensures everyone is aligned before the day begins.
Why the Daily Huddle works for us:
- Clarity and Focus – Each team member shares their key tasks for the day, preventing confusion and ensuring alignment on both individual responsibilities and company goals.
- Early Problem Detection – The Huddle helps spot potential issues early. If someone encounters a problem, the team can quickly step in to offer solutions or reassign resources.
- Increased Accountability – When tasks are discussed openly, team members take ownership of their work. This verbal commitment boosts individual accountability and overall productivity.
- Boosting Morale – The Daily Huddle also serves as a space to celebrate small wins and recognize progress. This keeps the team motivated and creates a positive work atmosphere.
Since adopting the Daily Huddle, we have experienced faster project completion, fewer communication issues, and stronger team cohesion. It has been particularly valuable during product launches, keeping all departments in sync. By aligning our team daily, we have been able to maintain efficiency while navigating the complexities of growing our brand.
Willem Louwers
Founder and CEO, Louers vodka
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