Communication is quintessential to all successful businesses, including your family farm. However, it can also be one of the most difficult parts of engaging with others in a business setting. By making ourselves aware of communication needs, we can communicate more effectively for the benefit of not only our operation but also our relationships. After all, on the family farm, you know your colleagues a little better than the average professional.
Start with these 5 tips to help you communicate more effectively on the farm:
- Active Listening is key to truly interacting with others. It’s important to hear what someone is actually saying. Do so by making eye contact, eliminating distractions, and mirroring their words to confirm you hear what they are saying. By utilizing active listening skills we make it more difficult to misunderstand and also show respect for our colleagues and family.
- Respecting each other takes many forms, including active listening. It also means taking turns and allowing everyone the opportunity to say what they need to. Even when we disagree we can take what someone says to heart. Ideally, we can walk away from an interaction not only on the same page but also feeling positive about the interaction.
- Show appreciation by saying “thank you” or “I appreciate your help on this.” Yes, we are all there to do our jobs, but showing appreciation motivates us to keep doing our best. We can also show appreciation to each other when we communicate respectfully. For example, saying “thank you for listening” reinforces positive and effective communication.
- Schedule team/family meetings so everyone can be together to hear what is happening. It is easier to make sure everyone is receiving the same message when they’re all in the same room. Meetings also allow space for discussing any issues that may have arisen, giving everyone the opportunity to feel heard.
- Resolving conflict immediately makes communication easier, after all, no one wants to speak or engage with someone who they are angry at. Addressing the conflict with respect and active listening helps the parties feel like they are valued, making them more willing to resolve issues.
Contact AgriLegacy today for more tips on managing your family farm!
