Communicate well and leave no one behind
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom will not be able to stand.” - Mark 3:24
Communication is the foundation of any effective relationship.
Without good communication, it is impossible to build a high performing team.
This is especially true for anyone who is in a leadership position.
We have all heard why good communication is important but I recently learned another crucial reason why timely communication is so important - Alignment.
When you don’t communicate well, you risk leaving your team behind.
There is a famous quote on teamwork: If you want to go fast go alone, If you want to go far, go TOGETHER
We can’t go far together, if we are each running in separate directions. I’ve experienced first hand how a lot of this misalignment can slowly happen as a result of poor communication.
Running a startup is a series of re-alignment
I’ve also come to realize that running a startup is a series of re-alignment.
We have to constantly be aware of any new information and know if it requires re-aligning the team or not.
It is impossible to innovate well if we don’t re-align with every piece of critical information.
I have been guilty of putting so much energy, agonizing, and deliberating over a decision but after the decision has been made, I didn’t put the same rigour in communicating the decision and action plan.
You could argue that the communication part might even be more important.
A decision made without good and timely communication remains just that - a decision.
Making a good decision is only half of the battle, the other half is knowing what, when, how, and to whom to communicate.
Here’s what happens when you fail to communicate with your team when you have new information 👇
You and your team started out on the same journey with the same context and information.
Along the way, you have new information or have made a decision that requires realignment.
You failed to communicate with your team on this piece of new information.
You start operating with new information, while your team are still operating with the old information, unaware of the new information or change that happened.
Misalignment happens in your team.
Your team got left behind. 😩
Now, here’s what happens when you successfully communicate with your team when you have new information 👇
You and your team started out on the same journey with the same context and information.
Along the way, you have new information or have made a decision that requires realignment.
You successfully communicated with your team on this piece of new information.
You and your team start operating with new information.
You and your team are still aligned.
No one got left behind 🙌
I hope this illustrates the need to have timely communication and how critical it is for team alignment.
Remember, leave no one behind.
Go far TOGETHER! 💪