A Pilot’s Guide to Effective Communication

Let’s begin in the cockpit of an aircraft flying from one destination to another, and a situation occurs.

Captain – “I have control”. Co-Pilot – “You have control”.

In just six words, two crew members in the same flight deck evidence a skill critical to the corporate scene; communication. Up in the skies, communication clearly shows, who would assume control and see to the situations or problems involving the aircraft.

Likewise, communication is the key to many of the basic functions of management, from the planning and organizing of outcomes, to motivating and controlling employees in the organization. Keeping the communication clear and concise would also help increase the group cohesiveness toward achieving a task. On that note, 5 tips in a pilot’s guide to effective communication

Have a Briefing Plan

Prior to any flight, pilots are briefed with regard to the flight ahead, in order to establish objectives, delegate responsibilities, analyse threats, and review contingency plans.

Likewise at the corporate scene, it’s necessary to gather your team, and set forth to brief them. In other words, you ensure that you have discussed the latest trends and developments with them, along with the goals of the organization, and the opportunities and threats ahead.

In a time like this, your team will need to hear important news from you; regardless of whether it’s good or bad. This is also a factor critical towards recognizing and motivating your team on call. One such tool to help you gather your team is MultiCall, a calling app that allows group collaboration, and calling many with the ease of calling one.

Clearly set time to stay on-task : The Sterile Cockpit

Pilots have a multitude of protocols toward their communication. There is one from which the business leader of today can learn from, known as the Sterile Cockpit. This is a protocol where during critical phases of flight such as taxiing, take-off or landing, only conversations that are pertinent to operation of the aircraft are to be carried out, with all non-essential talking stopped.

In a MultiCall, introductions and the relevant pleasantries for the same are required for an effective group conference. But in scenarios such as the present situation of remote working, clear communication is dependent on staying on-task. This is crucial in ensuring aspects such as effective task allocation, which will require clear elaboration on the expectations, deadlines and outcomes.

MultiCall’s call-monitoring feature lets you add or remove participants as and when you require them during a group call, and to also see who’s speaking.