Shalom Lamm’s Guide to Better Team Communication: 10 Proven Ways to Strengthen Workplace Dialogue

In any workplace—whether it’s a startup, a growing small business, or a large corporation—communication is the glue that holds everything together. When teams communicate well, work flows smoothly. Goals are met. People feel heard. But when communication breaks down? Projects stall, conflicts arise, and employee morale suffers.

According to entrepreneur Shalom Lamm, communication is one of the most underrated drivers of business success. “You can have the smartest people in the room,” Lamm says, “but if they’re not on the same page, things fall apart fast.”

With decades of experience leading businesses across sectors—from real estate to e-commerce—Lamm has seen firsthand how strong communication fuels high performance. In this post, we’ll explore 10 actionable strategies that Lamm recommends to improve communication in any workplace.

1. Start With Clear Expectations

One of the biggest sources of miscommunication is a lack of clarity around goals, roles, and responsibilities. If team members don’t understand what’s expected of them—or how their work impacts others—confusion is inevitable.

Shalom Lamm’s advice: Be direct and specific from the start. “Assume nothing. Spell out who is doing what, by when, and how success is measured.”

Tools like written SOPs (standard operating procedures), shared calendars, and project management platforms (like Asana or Trello) can help clarify expectations across the board.

2. Encourage Open Dialogue—Top to Bottom

Healthy communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about creating space for people to speak up, share concerns, and offer ideas without fear of backlash.

Lamm believes leaders must actively create a culture of psychological safety. “If your team is afraid to challenge an idea or admit a mistake, you’re not going to get honest communication—and that’s dangerous.”

Tips to build open dialogue:

• Ask for feedback regularly
  
• Thank employees for candor, even when it’s critical
  
• Avoid punishing people for speaking up
  
• Lead by example—be honest and humble
  

3. Hold Regular, Focused Meetings

Meetings are essential—but only when they’re done right. Many companies suffer from meeting overload or, worse, unproductive sessions with no clear outcomes.

Shalom Lamm is a proponent of short, well-structured meetings with clear agendas. “Don’t meet just to meet. Every minute should serve a purpose.”

Tips for effective meetings:

• Always send an agenda in advance
  
• Start and end on time
  
• Assign action items and next steps
  
• Keep it small—invite only those directly involved
  

Regular team check-ins and one-on-one meetings can also help prevent communication bottlenecks.

4. Use the Right Communication Channels

Not all messages need a meeting. And not every conversation should happen over email. Choosing the right channel for the right message is key.

Lamm encourages using a mix of tools:

• Slack or Microsoft Teams for quick updates
  
• Email for formal documentation or detailed info
  
• Video calls for deeper discussion or sensitive topics
  
• In-person meetings when collaboration is complex
  

“Don’t overload email with back-and-forths that could’ve been a 5-minute chat,” Lamm advises. “Efficiency matters.”

5. Invest in Communication Skills Training

Great communication isn’t innate—it’s a skill that can be developed. Lamm strongly advocates for training programs that help teams grow in areas like active listening, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and public speaking.

“Even your most talented people can hit a ceiling if they can’t communicate well,” Lamm says. “Training builds confidence and reduces misunderstandings.”

Workshops, coaching sessions, or even short video courses can make a big difference—especially for managers and team leads.

6. Make Communication Inclusive

Inclusive communication ensures that everyone’s voice is heard—regardless of role, background, or communication style.

Shalom Lamm emphasizes the importance of diversity in team dialogue. “You never know where your next great idea is coming from. If you’re only listening to the loudest voices, you’re leaving value on the table.”

Strategies to improve inclusivity:

• Rotate meeting facilitators
  
• Use anonymous surveys or suggestion boxes
  
• Invite quieter team members to contribute
  
• Be mindful of time zones for global teams
  

7. Foster Cross-Department Communication

Many businesses suffer from “silo syndrome,” where teams operate in isolation and don’t share critical information. This creates confusion, inefficiencies, and duplicated work.

Lamm recommends creating intentional opportunities for cross-functional collaboration. “When departments understand each other’s goals and challenges, everything works better.”

Ideas:

• Cross-team brainstorming sessions
  
• Monthly all-hands meetings
  
• Shared project dashboards
  
• Job shadowing or temporary team swaps
  

The more departments collaborate, the more cohesive the overall mission becomes.

8. Lead With Transparency

Team members don’t need to know every detail—but they do need to trust leadership. Transparency builds that trust.

“Transparency doesn’t mean oversharing,” Lamm explains. “It means being clear about decisions, priorities, and changes—especially during uncertain times.”

How to lead transparently:

• Share company goals and performance metrics
  
• Acknowledge challenges or setbacks honestly
  
• Explain the ‘why’ behind decisions
  
• Be accessible and available
  

Transparent communication earns buy-in and boosts employee engagement.

9. Give and Receive Feedback Regularly

Feedback is the fuel for growth—but it must be delivered constructively and received openly.

Shalom Lamm encourages creating a culture where feedback is normal, not personal. “When feedback becomes a regular part of the process, it loses its stigma.”

Effective feedback culture includes:

• Weekly or monthly check-ins
  
• 360-degree feedback loops
  
• Training on giving respectful, helpful feedback
  
• Modeling feedback acceptance from leadership
  

Done right, feedback builds stronger relationships and better performance.

10. Celebrate Wins and Acknowledge Effort

Communication isn’t just about tasks—it’s about connection. Recognizing effort, celebrating milestones, and appreciating teamwork go a long way in strengthening communication and morale.

Lamm makes celebration a core part of leadership. “Recognition is communication. It says, ‘I see you. You matter.’ That’s powerful.”

Ways to recognize success:

• Shoutouts in meetings or team chats
  
• Employee spotlights
  
• Small rewards or thank-you notes
  
• Company-wide kudos emails
  

When people feel seen and appreciated, they’re more likely to speak up and contribute.

Final Thoughts from Shalom Lamm

Improving communication isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing commitment. But for Shalom Lamm, the payoff is worth it: better collaboration, fewer mistakes, faster execution, and stronger company culture.

“Great communication doesn’t just make people feel better,” Lamm says. “It drives results. It builds trust. And ultimately, it builds the kind of team that can accomplish anything.”

So whether you’re managing a remote startup or leading a large organization, commit to continuous improvement. Make communication a daily practice, not an afterthought.

Your team—and your bottom line—will thank you.