While there are many core competencies that look the same whether you’re in a large corporation or a small, home-based business, there are also plenty of differences between these environments. For home business owners, things like building working relationships and managing projects can require a completely different set of skills and habits than what is required of professionals doing the same things in centralized, office-based working environments.
A facet that can become paramount in achieving success as a home business owner is the ability to communicate effectively. Even though home business owners don’t reside in the same geographic location as their contractors, consultants, staff and vendors doesn’t mean they can’t make their communication count with these stakeholders. In fact, simply acknowledging the differences between these working contexts can set your home business apart from the rest.
Here are three communication tips to keep in mind when managing projects and people remotely:
1. Choose media that supports your preferred interpersonal-style
Choose communication channels that support your preferred way of receiving and processing information. If you don’t like lengthy emails, pick up the phone to get your answer. If you get lost in the details, ask for a written list of what is required of you so it doesn’t fall through the cracks. A large part of choosing the right communication channels involves knowing enough about your strengths and weaknesses to be able to communicate what you need and how you need it. Keep an eye on ways you can sidestep the communication channels that don’t work for you and incorporate the forms of media you most prefer. Learning and development solutions that use personality assessments, like Insights Discovery, can help develop your understanding your preferred communication style and ways to ensure your messages are being received and understood.
2. Be responsive to the communication styles of others
This can seem counter-intuitive to the first point, but it’s just as important to recognize that one style does not work for everyone as it is to understand your own preferred communication style. To do this successfully, you have to find a balance between being true to the conditions that work best for you while also making sure your stakeholders are getting the direction and information they need to be successful. If a contractor asks for your input on a project’s strategy, don’t ignore his request unless you’re okay with surprise results. Instead of letting others guess what you want; spend time making sure everyone is clear on your expectations and how they can be successful. Entrepreneur and author Tony Robbins said, “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.”
3. Pause to pick up what’s not being said
In home business environments, you don’t get to observe communication clues like body language, facial expression and other humanizing facets. Without these clues, it can be easy to misinterpret the intentions of the people that you are communicating with. Small misunderstandings can fester when they go unaddressed, so build time in your conversations to address these unknown barriers. You can identify any underlying tensions by asking questions like, “Is there anything we need to address that could improve our teamwork and collaboration?” From here, it’s important to engage in authentic dialogue about any issues that arise and work to find a resolution with dedication and respect.
Above all, when managing people and projects remotely, it’s important to remember that communication is a two-way street. This approach ensures you’re communicating with the goal of developing a mutual understanding. Because our messages and audiences are always changing, there’s no one right way to communicate, but with a strategy focused on understanding yourself, recognizing the preferences of others and leaving time to address the unknowns, you can be equipped to address any communication challenge that comes your way.
