Communication forms the foundations of all relationships – at home, in the community, and at work. Communication does not only mean speaking skills, it is just one of the components. Typically, the speaker is perceived as powerful and in control, and the listener as passive, but actually the reverse is true. When we listen to others, we assess how to approach them and can then establish a rapport. The speaker then feels good about being heard and listens attentively to what we say.

You can improve your listening skills and, in the process, improve your relationships. Practice the following to strengthen your listening skills:

• If someone is talking to you, pretend they are the most important person at the moment.
• Watch for nonverbal communication. Listen to what they say with their facial expressions, posture and eye contact.
• Ask questions to make sure you understand.

It takes more than communication to maintain a strong team. Many challenges will come your way and here are a few steps to keep everyone on track:

• Remind people of your goals and highlight accomplishments often.
• Feed team members’ egos. Each person needs to have self-confidence and an area where they can excel individually.
• Be alert for personality clashes and individuals with negative attitudes. Do not let those issues affect the rest of the team.

If you are unsure about your personal communication style, click the link below to discover if your style helps you or hurts you.

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