Комунікація в команді: як успішно управляти різними технічними спеціалістами.

Pandemic first, then war. Today, a lot of companies seem to practice far away, practitioners are located in different places and in different countries. This creates the isolation of the teams in the form of a clear understanding of the right activity of the company, which can negatively affect the work and the wild command atmosphere among the workers. Sergiy Fedchun, director of the management of interaction with the deputy directors of Metinvest Digital, shared his thoughts in order to promote the correct communication between colleagues, if they do not know the guarantor, which is important for them and the business.

At the same time, a successful project manager does not become obsessed with his own professionalism. It’s already not enough to be only a competent technical specialist, it’s necessary for a mother to have additional skills, like communication, you should speak to the ears of your deputy.

My team – these are digital partners who are located in different cities, at different enterprises, but at the same time they work harmoniously and interact directly with N-1, N-2 level managers, participate in meetings with them to discuss projects, listen to them and try to solve their problems.

80% success of any project – this is properly built communication in the team and a personal understanding of the state of the project. Therefore, it is extremely important to constantly "keep your finger on the pulse" – inform your team about the general situation in the company, the current state of the projects they are working on, communicate constantly, receive timely feedback and respond quickly enough to any requests or problems that arise during work on projects.

Based on personal experience, I have my own rules of communication between different teams, which, as a result, implement successful projects.

Understanding the problem.

It is not necessary to perceive all information through the reports of subordinates and hear someone else's interpretation of reality. It is important not to be lazy, to immerse yourself in the problems of the case with attention to details, because the experience you have experienced yourself will allow you to more clearly understand the current state of the problem, and as a result, find the right solution. By the way, in the theory of lean production, this method is called "Gemba". The Japanese recognize that if you really want to understand a situation, know more about work, processes and solve a problem related to it, there is nothing more useful than observation.

Immersion in processes

I worked in many companies and quite often noticed that successful CEOs spent half of their working day on trips – in workshops of enterprises. And it should be so, because in order to well understand colleagues, subordinates and their difficulties in work processes, you need to familiarize yourself with these issues, regularly communicating not only with the first line of your subordinates, but also with those who "work with your hands". This does not mean that the manager needs to immerse himself so much in micromanagement, but on a number of critical issues – it must be done. Sometimes I also abuse such focus thematic meetings, where together with the team we solve one key problem.

Face-to-face meetings.

At such meetings, you can discuss current or urgent tasks with a colleague, receive feedback on the work, and sometimes resolve the employee's personal issues. I highly recommend having such meetings at least once a month – if you are a manager, then with subordinates, and if you are a subordinate – request and insist on such meetings. And you should not be afraid or avoid such meetings, because these are your additional opportunities: an opportunity for growth, an opportunity to be noticed, an opportunity to reveal your potential, etc.

Short operatives.

They are necessary for the formation of team relations: coordination of actions, exchange of information and organization of interaction. Their frequency depends on the specifics of the work. For example, the specifics of work in production – it's not about bureaucracy at all, it's about the need to constantly be in the flow of relevant information, to hear the issues and manage the decisions made at these meetings. Because the reaction was late, any accident or accident – this is, first of all, losses in production, and secondly, a loss of authority. Production management is quite straightforward and different from any other. Previously, when I managed the work of ACS TP services at several enterprises – I gathered the team every morning to plan the work and check the results of the previous agreements. But now I conduct operatives once a week – this is enough for the team and I to collect and discuss the problems that have accumulated during this period. This is a general meeting, I ask that everyone be there so that the team can see itself as a full team. And it's so cool that new technologies allow us to do it quickly, conveniently and from any location.

What is important for a successful meeting?

There should always be a clear plan for the meeting so that all participants understand its purpose and, most importantly, that they are equally informed. Do not exceed the meeting time of more than 60 minutes, but if there are more than ten participants – up to 90 minutes. It is advisable not to immediately join the next meeting – have at least 15 minutes to recover and readjust for another meeting. And try not to answer mail or solve work issues during these 15 minutes, it is better to set aside a separate time for this during the working day. Yes, the standard time for work in your calendar also needs to be planned.

Feedback.

Do not hesitate to question how you were understood. Additionally emphasize important points. After all, it is extremely important to notice in time if your colleague "turned in the wrong direction", because the loss of time and the correction of mistakes can be expensive. Do not be afraid of conflict situations – it's work and more often it is in solving such situations that you grow and this makes you a valuable specialist. And remember, less emotions – more arguments, it helps smooth out any conflict situations.

And finally, I would like to note – it is important for a person to have a sense of involvement in something significant: in a big project, in solving a serious problem, in achieving an important goal. Give your talents, knowledge, demonstrate high results of your activity in the company and then receive recognition, a new position, financial and social benefits. Because if you fully invest in your work, you will get the right result. As much as you invest, you get as much – everything as in life.