Clear communication is key to success

Crystal clear communication with your team is key if you want results, says Burlingtons operations manager, James Shaw

Give clear instructions

You will save time in the long run by issuing instructions clearly and making sure they are understood. Leave a pause for people to ask questions, or invite them to do so. It is much better if a task is understood from the start, rather than having to repeat the work because it was done wrongly the first time. Remember: just because you know what you are talking about, it doesn't mean your team do.

Be constructive, not critical

Managers can often become critical. When a team member organises their work or solves a problem in a way that doesn't meet with your approval, make sure they are not severely criticised for the solution they have implemented. A natural response to being criticised is to become defensive, or to switch off and not listen. Nobody learns anything that way. The other side of the coin is that, when employees are empowered to make some decisions themselves, there is more time for managers to develop the business. For this to work, however, people need to feel safe to explore alternatives, so give suggestions and ask questions.

Let people know the bigger picture

Your staff will work harder and smarter if they know how the work they are doing contributes to an end goal. Have you communicated the main business objectives to the team? If not, how can you expect your staff to achieve them?

Give people freedom to organise some of their work

If your team members are clear about what needs to be done, they can set a list of priorities for their own work. This keeps people motivated to work hard, and helps them work more efficiently as they know what has to be done and can switch between tasks accordingly. Empowering team members in this way will also make it easier for you as a manager to delegate.

Make expectations clear

End a conversation with something like: "Am I right

in thinking that the task will be completed by the end of today?"

Then, if the team member anticipates a problem,

they have the opportunity to tell you if they won't be able to meet the deadline. That gives you the chance to help them.

Treat everyone as an individual

Everyone in your team has varying needs, and will therefore respond to different communication methods. Find out which approaches work well for each team member; you will then get the most out of each interaction, and everyone will be happier.

Encourage two-way interaction

Ultimately, your salon's performance will depend on communication skills, or lack of them. It is the managers' responsibility to make themselves understood, no matter how many times they attempt to get their point across. Equally, communication is a two-way thing, and it is the responsibility of the team to let you know every time they do not understand something.