You should have an end result or objective clearly in mind before communicating. Examine your purpose. What specific do you want to receiver to understand or to do, as a result of the communication?

Method

What’s the best method for achieving your objective? Obviously, some communication methods or channels are better than others for a given objective. Weigh the alternatives – written or oral, group or individual, formal or informal – before selecting a specific method such as a letter, memo, meeting, telephone call, email etc.

Structure

How you organize and construct your communication is very important to its success. There are many considerations: How much or how little to cover? What is the best way to organize the message? How can you keep it simple and concise, yet complete? How can you gear to your audience’s needs?

Feedback

In order to ensure that your message has been understood and to evaluate the emotions of your receiver (how does he/she feel about it?), you should encourage frequent responses.

Twelve Characteristics of Effective Team

• Clear Purpose

• Informality

• Participation

• Listening
• Civilized Disagreement
• Consensus Decisions
• Open Communication
• Clear Roles and Work Assignment
• Shared Leadership
• External Relationships
• Style Diversity
• Self-Assessment

The Six Thinking Hats

• White: virgin white, pure facts, figures, and information
• Red Hat: seeing red, emotions and feelings, also hunch and intuition
• Black Hat: devil’s advocate, negative judgment, asks why it will not work.
• Yellow Hat: sunshine, brightness and optimism, positive, constructive, opportunity.
• Green Hat: fertile, creative, plants spring from seeds, movement, provocation
• Blue Hat: cool and in control, orchestra conductor, thinking about thinking.