Communication: a must have in teamwork

6 of May, 2025

In any organization, understanding what communication in a team is important. Besides being a set of exchanged words, it is the engine that drives productivity, collaboration, and well-being within work groups. Without clear and effective communication, employees can fall into misunderstandings, frustration, and even inefficiency.

Learn all about what internal communication or in a team and the types that exist in this article. Keep reading!

Types of communication within a team

Communication in the template can take several forms, depending on the type of interaction, the urgency of the message, and the structure of the organization. For a team to work correctly, it is necessary to understand what team communication is and what types exist.

Some examples of effective communication are as follows:

Verbal communication

It’s the most direct form of communication. It can be:

In person, like in a meeting.
Virtual, like a video call.

This is ideal for solving problems quickly, clarifying doubts, and fostering teamwork in real time. However, it can also be prone to misunderstandings if one is not clear enough or if one does not actively listen.

Written communication

This form of effective communication occurs through emails, instant messages, reports, or documents.

Although one must know what written communication in a team is, since it can seem more impersonal than verbal, it has the advantage of leaving a record to consult in the future.

However, it can lead to misunderstandings if not written clearly or if important details are omitted.

Non-verbal communication

What is non-verbal communication in a team? It’s a key factor when members interact in person. This includes:

Body language.
Facial expressions and postures.

In addition, it adds depth to conversations and expresses emotions or attitudes that words cannot.

Digital communication

With the rise of remote work and distributed teams, digital communication has gained growing relevance. Internal communication tools such as instant messaging platforms, group chats, and video call applications are essential to keeping everyone connected and aware of projects and decisions in real time.

Vertical and horizontal communication

You may be wondering what vertical and horizontal team communication is. Here are some clues to differentiate them:

Vertical communication

Occurs between different hierarchical levels, such as when a leader communicates team expectations, changes in strategy, or new goals. Transparency in communication is crucial here, as one can feel disconnected or demotivated if information does not flow properly from upper management.

Horizontal communication

Occurs between colleagues or departments. It’s essential to foster collaboration and problem-solving among different areas, which helps create a more cooperative work environment.

How to know if the communication in my team is adequate?

Good communication is not just based on the number of messages sent, but their quality, clarity and how they contribute to the achievement of goals. If you are not sure what is adequate communication in a team here are some keys:

Confusion and frequent misunderstandings. If members are constantly confused about tasks, expectations or results, it’s an indication that information is not being communicated clearly and comprehensively.
Lack of collaboration. Occurs when ideas, knowledge or feedback are not shared, which makes the team uncoordinated, negatively impacting overall performance.
Disconnection between departments. A lack of effective communication between areas creates distrust, which causes misalignment between departments and can lead to duplication of efforts or misuse of resources.
Lack of feedback or participation. Effective communication requires constant feedback. If there are no open channels to express opinions or concerns, frustration and demotivation increase.
Lack of reaction or follow-up. If messages do not receive a response or problems are not addressed in time, it’s a signal that there is no effective communication. Follow-up is key to ensuring adequate comprehension and action.

5 tips to improve communication in teams

In order for them to reach their maximum potential, you have to understand what communication in a team is. Here are some practical tips that can be applied to improve effective communication within your team:

Establish clear communication channels

One of the first steps to effective communication is deciding which channel to use for each type of message. For urgent ones, such as a crisis or an important decision, using instant messaging applications or video calls may be useful.

For less urgent or more formal information, email or reports are appropriate. Having a well-structured internal communication system helps maintain organization.

Encourage open and constructive feedback

Feedback is key to growth and improvement. Encourage an environment where all employees feel comfortable giving and receiving feedback, and ensure it’s always constructive. This not only helps solve problems quickly but also improves the work climate.

Use digital platforms that centralize information

Having an efficient internal communication tool like Sesame HR allows all team members to stay updated with important changes and decisions without wasting time searching for information on multiple platforms. These tools help centralize communication, optimizing workflow and avoiding message dispersion.

Hold regular team meetings

Meetings are a great opportunity to clarify doubts, establish goals, and align efforts. However, in order to be effective, they need to be well structured and focused on specific objectives.

To ensure effective communication, make sure all meetings have a clear agenda and all members have the opportunity to participate.

Promote active listening

What is understood by communication in a team? It’s not just about speaking or writing, but also listening. Encouraging active listening within teams is critical so that messages are fully understood and members feel valued.

Now that you know what communication in a team is, it’s time to put it into action. Do it effectively with Sesame HR software and our 14-day free trial.

HR professional with experience in building strong 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 among HR leaders. As the founder of the 𝐇𝐑 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 and 𝐇𝐑 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, I leverage my 15+ years of experience to enhance the professional landscape for HR leaders.

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tiagosantos

HR Content Specialist