In fast-paced production environments, especially during live worship services, communication is everything. But when you're juggling multiple tasks with limited time, it's easy to make the wrong call on what to say or how to say it. Understanding the best practices for using intercoms, setting the right tone, and being aware of your system’s settings can make all the difference for your team.

In live productions, every second counts, and your team relies on clear, concise instructions. However, being too abrupt can come off as abrasive. Finding the balance between giving specific commands and maintaining a positive team dynamic is key. You want to get things done quickly, but also make sure your team feels respected and informed, not just talked at.

It's easy to forget that intercom systems can often be heard by more people than you realize, including engineers or even other team members who might not need to hear your comments. So, always be mindful of your words. Communication can easily go off-track if a conversation meant for one person is accidentally broadcast to the entire team, causing confusion. Make sure everyone understands which channels are open and who should be hearing what.

Intercom systems often have two different modes: push-to-talk (momentary) and latching. Push-to-talk requires you to hold down the button while speaking, while latching keeps your mic open until you manually turn it off. Understanding how your system works is crucial to preventing accidental broadcasts and making sure you’re not unintentionally creating confusion with unnecessary chatter. Always know what mode you’re using and educate your team accordingly.

Clear communication helps your team move in sync, but it’s important to be intentional with what, when, and how you say things. Streamlining your comms approach will improve both your production workflow and team morale.