Proactive Communication

The content below includes more information on proactive communication.  For this lesson, please read the information below.

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Proactive Communication

When working with a new client or joining a team, we need to be proactive in setting up the systems and patterns of communication. When we are intentional about how, why, and when of communication, we set up strong relationships from the beginning.  The effectiveness of meetings increase and productivity KPIs are reached.

If you are new to a team, remember to reflect or gather information on communication-styles.  If we don’t anticipate the styles for feedback, we can come across as inconsiderate of all the hard-work that was put forth before we joined the team.

Take a look at the frequency, patterns, and intent of the communication:

Establish the cadence for check-ins:

• Daily huddle
• Weekly meeting
• Monthly reviews

Establish a process for asking questions:

• Is there an existing communication workflow or do you need to establish one?
• Example – Slack for anything that can be answered in 30 secs, Email for anything that needs reference information, Urgent manners are a text and Phone calls are Emergency

Establish a workflow system for follow-up and communication:

• Google folder
• Trello/Asana board
• Slack channel for updates
• Time-tracking

Don’t recreate the wheel

• What do they already have in place?
• What did they try and did not work?

Practice empathy

• Take the time to evaluate other’s efforts before we start making suggestions
• Ask curious questions
• Acknowledge that “this may have been tried before”
• Ask for 1:1 meetings or calls if you want to gain comfort and get to know the history of the project or team

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