When communicating with a team, leaders need to consider the following:

• Communications should be one of your team's ongoing priorities. Book time for regular, face-to-face staff meetings, and make sure there are continual, informal exchanges.
• Email is fine for dispersing information quickly, but not for exchanging ideas, influencing behavior or building trust.
• You don't have to answer every question on the spot, but you do have to get back to people with answers. Poor follow-up creates frustration and damages trust.
• Your colleagues know more than you think and can handle the truth, even if it's bad news. Ducking answers to tough questions undermines your credibility.
• Your style matters. People already know who you are. Be genuine. Be human.
• Be patient and respectful of culture and language differences.
• Watch for signs of communication misunderstandings.