Steople

Why Clear, Inclusive Communication Sets High-Performing Teams Apart

Good Teams Talk. Great Teams Connect.

Think about the best team you’ve ever been part of. Chances are, they didn’t just communicate well – they made space for every voice, even the quiet ones. They listened actively, aligned easily, and resolved conflict quickly. In short, they didn’t just exchange information, they built understanding.

This is the essence of communication in the Steople High-Performance Teams Model™. More than just meetings and messages, it’s about building a culture where people feel heard, informed, and included.

The Research: Why Communication is a Performance Lever

Communication issues are responsible for 86% of workplace failures (Salesforce).

High-performing teams are twice as likely to say they communicate effectively (ClearCompany).
Inclusive communication increases team innovation by 29% and significantly boosts engagement (Deloitte).

Great communication is about more than the what – it’s also about the how, when, and who. Without it, even the most capable teams unravel.

The Three Essentials of High-Performance Team Communication

1️⃣ Clarity: Say What You Mean (and Mean What You Say)

High-performing teams communicate with clarity and intention. Whether sharing goals, giving feedback, or making decisions, they leave little room for confusion.

How to Strengthen It: Use plain language. Avoid assumptions. Confirm understanding, don’t assume it. Set clear expectations and follow up regularly.

Case Study: A product team Sterople worked with had constant misunderstandings about timelines. By introducing simple tools like shared agendas and status updates, they cut delays by 50%.

2️⃣ Inclusivity: Every Voice Matters

Communication is a two-way street. The best teams actively seek out and value diverse perspectives, ensuring everyone has the chance to contribute.

How to Strengthen It: Mix up how people contribute – use polls, breakout groups, or anonymous inputs in meetings. Encourage quieter voices by intentionally inviting their insights.

Case Study: A leadership team introduced rotating meeting chairs and digital Q&A boards. Engagement skyrocketed as more voices entered the conversation.

3️⃣ Feedback: Say It Early, Say It Often

Constructive feedback keeps teams sharp and connected. But it only works when it’s part of the culture, not just a formal review.

How to Strengthen It: Normalise real-time feedback. Encourage upward and peer feedback, not just top-down. Train teams on how to give (and receive) it with empathy.

Case Study: After introducing monthly “feedback huddles,” a client’s team saw conflict resolution times drop and engagement rise across the board.

How the Steople High-Performance Teams Survey™ Helps

Teams often think they communicate well, until they measure it. The Steople High-Performance Teams Survey™ uncovers:

✔️ Whether communication is clear, consistent, and understood
✔️ If information flows freely across the team
✔️ How inclusive and feedback-rich the team environment really is

The results provide teams with practical insights to boost alignment, trust, and effectiveness through better communication.

Final Thought: Communication Builds Culture

In high-performing teams, communication isn’t just a skill, it’s a shared responsibility. When every voice is heard and every message is clear, teams move faster, collaborate deeper, and deliver better.

So here’s your challenge: How inclusive, clear, and constructive is your team’s communication? And what’s one thing you could improve this week?

Want to understand your team’s communication strengths and blind spots? The Steople High-Performance Teams Survey™ gives you the clarity to grow. Let’s talk!

Communication: How the Best Teams Make Every Voice Count