Construction Management’s Post

Ever been on a project team where communication felt like it was happening in different realities? 🌌 Well, you're not alone. Communication silos can creep up on the best of teams, from engineering to design and leadership. 🚀 But today, I want to share a fun and effective way to tackle this issue head-on, fostering open, honest, and timely knowledge sharing. 😄 THE POWER OF HUMOR: Humor has an incredible ability to break down barriers and unite teams. At one company, we used what we affectionately called the "Atreyu Meter" to revolutionize how we shared project statuses. 🌟 THE ATREYU METER: Imagine a stack of images taped to the wall near our cubicles. Each image represented a status from 5 to 1, with 5 being the best, 1 being the worst, and 3 being the most common position. 📊 But what's unique about this? It wasn't just for projects; it could convey the positive or negative position of anything – from project progress to your sports team's win/loss record, even your single co-worker's dating success (or latest crash and burn)! 😂 In our case, each Project Manager would write the name of their Project on a Post-it note and place it next to the picture that best matched that item's status. Here's how it worked: 5. Riding on Falcor: This was the pinnacle. It symbolized project completion on time, within budget, and with high client satisfaction. 🐉🌟 4. Luke Skywalker Lifting Rocks with His Mind: Sometimes, you'll find yourself in a storm of tasks and deadlines, but you're in complete control, just like Luke using the Force. 💪⚡ 3. Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy Riding Bikes: This represented smooth sailing, where everything was going as planned. 🐸🚴♀️ No drama, just a leisurely ride through the park. 2. Atreyu Facing "The Nothing": Things can go south, and when they do, it feels like you're being swept away by chaos. 😱 1. Artax in the Swamp of Sadness: This is the point of no return, just before a project tragedy. 🐴💔 It's the emotional gut punch, signaling that it's time for everyone to rally together. Conclusion: The Atreyu Meter was more than just a funny visual aid; it fostered open communication. Breaking away from silos and embracing humor built a culture of "all for one and one for all" rather than "Us vs. Them." 😊 So, whether you're in a project team or any group, remember that humor can be a powerful tool to bridge communication gaps, foster unity, and achieve those long-term objectives! 🙌 What's your take on using humor in the workplace? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 👇😄 #Teamwork #Communication #HumorInBusiness

Listen first, speak last! While sharing your expertise and ideas is an important part of verbal communication, active listening may be an even more crucial communication tool. In addition to informing critical decisions, mastering this workplace skill could help you to manage your emotions, retain data and information better, and resolve conflict. Read our latest blog post for 8 ways to put active listening to work on your construction projects: https://lnkd.in/g7Qtdwex #Listening #ConstructionCommunication #ConstructionPartnering #VeloGroup

Does client feedback leave you feeling CONFUSED and FRUSTRATED? ⬇️ Communication breakdowns are a major pain point! Without clear direction, projects can stall and stress levels can rise. Think about it this way:  🗝️ Active listening is key. 👂 Rephrase what you hear the client say to ensure understanding. ⚒️ This builds trust and keeps projects moving smoothly. What TIP would you add to this list? Leave your tips in the comments below ⬇️

If you would only be allowed to focus on one thing to make your project a success, what would you choose? For me it would be communication. Over the years I learned that without these three communication elements a project often goes nowhere: 1. Why this project? Share why your project is so important to the organization and its goals, and what you want to accomplish. 2. WIIFM What's In It For Me (as an employee or stakeholder)? The first thing people think when they hear about a new project or change is: "What does this mean for me, my work and my position?" If you don't address this buy in will be very difficult. 3. Project updates People like to know what is happening, so informing employees and stakeholders about project progress is vital to keep people engaged and energized throughout the entire project. Communicate properly (have a plan!) from project start to finish and you will increase your project success chances drastically. Of course communication is not the only thing that contributes to a successful project; what would be the one thing you would choose?

Let's talk about the cornerstone of successful projects: Communication. 📣 Charles Duhigg, renowned for his insights on super communicators, includes some game-changing principles: 1️⃣ "We are not born knowing how to communicate effectively." Remember, communication is a skill honed through learning and practice. Embrace the journey of growth! 2️⃣ "Supercommunicators ask 10 to 20 times as many questions as the average person, making us feel listened to." Asking questions not only shows interest but also builds trust. It's the cornerstone of effective communication. 3️⃣ "Deep questions: people describe their beliefs, values, and experiences." Don't just scratch the surface; delve deep. Understanding values and beliefs fosters meaningful connections. 4️⃣ "Looping for understanding: ask a question, repeat what you heard, ask if you got it right." Looping isn't just about comprehension; it's a gateway to empathy. Practice it, and watch your relationships flourish. 5️⃣ "The right conversation can change everything at the right moment." As project managers, our ability to navigate conversations can determine success. Could you harness this power wisely? https://lnkd.in/eUckdaRj

When starting a new project, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the many different tasks and measurables that need to be taken care of. However, if there's one thing that's absolutely critical to success, it's communication. Clear and consistent communication from beginning to end of the project can eliminate many issues and help keep the team focused and on track. Of course, keeping up with communication can be easier said than done. It takes a lot of experience and focus to make sure that everyone is on the same page and that important information isn't dropped or overlooked. But with the right team in place, it's definitely possible to keep the lines of communication open and ensure that your project is a success from start to finish. So, what do you find to be the most challenging or time-consuming aspect of starting a new project? Let's start a conversation in the comments!

Open-ended communication is important in life for several reasons: Encourages Thoughtful Responses: Open-ended questions or statements invite individuals to think, reflect, and provide more detailed and meaningful answers. Fosters Dialogue: It promotes conversation and dialogue, allowing for a deeper understanding of the other person's thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Strengthens Relationships: When people feel heard and understood, it can lead to stronger and more meaningful connections with others, whether in personal relationships or professional settings. Problem Solving: Open-ended communication is often essential for addressing complex issues and finding creative solutions. It allows for exploration and brainstorming. Active Listening: It encourages active listening, which is a critical skill for effective communication. Active listening helps people connect and build trust. Empowers Others: Open-ended questions empower individuals to express themselves and have a voice in conversations, making them feel valued and respected. Avoids Assumptions: Open-ended communication reduces the risk of making assumptions about what others think or feel, as it encourages them to share their perspective. Enhances Learning: In educational and professional contexts, open-ended communication supports better learning, idea sharing, and knowledge exchange. Conflict Resolution: When addressing conflicts, open-ended communication allows parties to express their concerns and helps mediators or facilitators understand the root causes of the issues. In summary, open-ended communication is a valuable tool for building relationships, solving problems, and fostering deeper connections with others. It promotes active engagement and understanding in various aspects of life. #open ended communication# importance#valuable tool#understand roots

Art of Clear Communication Did it ever happen to you that you what you said and what the other person understood were different? You two were confused and ultimately the purpose with which you approached the person is lost. And altogether a different situation is created like conflicts and misunderstanding. Well it maybe because the communication was not clear. It doesn’t mean that you did something incorrect. The communication is a two way path. Both have to be on same frequency for things to workout. Let us explore the essence of clear communication and its significance in personal and professional interactions Clear communication serves as the cornerstone of strong relationships. By expressing our thoughts, emotions, and needs effectively, we establish trust, empathy, and mutual understanding. Misunderstandings and conflicts can be averted when we communicate clearly, eliminating ambiguity and promoting clarity of purpose. In personal and professional realms, clear communication enhances productivity, efficiency, and collaboration. It creates an environment where ideas can be freely shared, opinions can be respectfully discussed, and solutions can be reached collectively. Clarity and conciseness are fundamental to clear communication. By organizing our thoughts, using simple language, and eliminating unnecessary jargon, we ensure that our message is easily understood. Active listening, another key principle, involves giving our full attention, observing non-verbal cues, and responding thoughtfully to demonstrate our understanding. Empathy and understanding go hand in hand with clear communication, as they allow us to tailor our message to the perspective and emotions of our audience. Additionally, non-verbal communication, such as body language and tone of voice, plays a vital role in conveying clarity. To enhance clarity, it is crucial to prepare and organize our thoughts before important conversations. Choosing the appropriate communication medium, such as face-to-face discussions or written documents, ensures the message is conveyed effectively. Using clear and simple language avoids confusion and ensures comprehension by all parties involved. Seeking feedback and clarification promotes open dialogue and minimizes misunderstandings. Finally, practicing empathetic listening by showing genuine interest, maintaining eye contact, and validating emotions fosters trust and establishes a safe space for open and honest communication. The art of clear communication is an invaluable skill that enables us to establish meaningful connections. By adhering to principles of clarity, active listening, empathy, and non-verbal communication, we can unlock the transformative power of clear communication in our personal and professional lives. Embrace this art, and witness the profound impact it has on understanding, collaboration, and harmonious relationships.  

I will tell you the secret to starting any project. And it will hurt your feelings. I was just asked by LinkedIn to give my 2¢ on project scope and deliverables. I told the truth. Everyone sucks at communication. Yes, you and me both. Our brains are saying one thing. Our mouths are saying another. And our emotions are lost and confused in another realm. So, what is there to do to make clients and creative types meet in a happy place? It’s so simple it’s stupid. 1. Creative: Ask questions about the scope of the project. Listen. 2. Creative: Ask questions on the responses to the questions about the scope of the project. Listen. 3. Creative: Ask more questions until you have no more questions. Listen again. 4. Creative: Repeat the answer/notes to the client. The client will ask you if you were listening. Don’t be offended. Ask permission to start the questions again. 5. Creative: Ask the same questions again. Listen. Jot down responses. 6. Creative: Review answers/notes with the client. You will be wrong again. Don’t sweat it. This is normal. 7. Creative: Start over again and continue this process until you get a reply from the client, “YES, that’s what I want.” 8. Type it out and have the client sign it and date it. 9. Now you can start the project. This is not an exaggeration. We all suck at communication. As creative professionals, we have to bite the bullet and ask questions until we get that ‘aha’ moment from the client. Immediately get the creative brief typed up and signed off. Many times the client will get angry and think that ‘you’ are mentally disabled. This is normal. Just roll with it. Remember, you are a communication professional, so act like it. True story, all the time!

Let's try something fun today ✨🧙🏻♀️ I'd like to share my preferred communication methods when I can't or don't want to connect in-person. *gasps* "How could a communication coach not pledge allegiance to the irreplaceable value of in person communication!? Blasphemous!" Firstly, it's important to recognize that "in-person" isn't always optimal. It can be inefficient and draining, particularly when emotions are high and lack control. Effective in-person communication can derail quickly due to various factors: rambling, interruption, oversharing, loudness, lack of composure, simultaneous talking, emotional breakdowns, bullying, inability to gauge the room's emotional temperature, and off-topic arguments. *Fortunately* numerous alternative communication mediums have evolved! Here are my favorites alternatives to in-person and why: Video meetings: A great way to get some face time with a new friend, learn more about potential clients, or kick off a collaboration. I LOVE small talk for these initial meetings to get a feel for each other. Voice messages: They convey complex emotions while allowing time for reflection. Phone calls: Immediate connection and multitasking potential make them valuable. Texting: Offers space for thought and moral consideration, especially in conflicts. Emailing: Efficient for group communication without unnecessary meetings. Writing snail mail: The tangible connection is beautiful, intimate, and personal. Video messages: Strikes a balance between intimacy and efficiency. Leveraging technology in communication involves using the perceived "disconnection" of these mediums to pause, collect thoughts, and proceed appropriately. People are always asking me, "How do I genuinely connect when it's virtual?" rather than "How do I maximize genuine connection no matter what medium I have available?" (^ Communication mastery is only a matter of your competency) Share your thoughts below! 👇🏻