Good communication is an essential tool which enables any business to run effectively and at its best, because it underpins what people achieve in terms of productivity and maintaining strong working relationships. This has become particularly important since the Covid pandemic, which forced huge numbers of people into working remotely.
Employers who invest time and energy into delivering clear lines of communication, are more likely to build trust among their employees which has numerous benefits all round. Clear, regular communication leads to increased productivity, output and overall morale throughout the workplace. What’s more, employees who communicate effectively with colleagues at various levels of the business, and managers as well as customers are extremely valuable to the company, and a skill which will often set people apart from their competition, regardless of the situation they are in.
Poor communication on the other hand, will inevitably lead to unmotivated staff, who are likely to start questioning their confidence in their abilities and inevitably that will spill over in to how they feel about the organisation.
Five key reasons why, as a business, you must work on good communication:
Team building
Building effective teams is really all about how those team members communicate and collaborate. By implementing effective strategies, (such as some listed below), and in order to boost communication, you will go a long way toward building effective teams. This, in turn, will improve morale and employee satisfaction.
It gives everyone a voice
Employee satisfaction can rely a lot on employees having a voice and being listened to, whether it be regarding an idea, a successful project they’ve contributed to, or, about a complaint they need to make. Properly established lines of communication should be available and applied to everyone, no matter what their level, they must be able to freely communicate with their peers, colleagues and managers.
Innovation
When employees are enabled to openly communicate ideas without fear of ridicule they are far more likely to bring their idea to the table. Innovation relies heavily on this and an organization which encourages communication is much more likely to be an innovative and successful one.
Business growth
Effective internal and external communication is vital for business success. By being joined up internally and having strong lines of communication, you are ensuring that the messages you convey externally are consistent. Any growth project relies on strong communication and on all stakeholders, whether internal or external, being on the same wavelength or as we often hear – aligned.
Strong management
When managers are strong communicators, they are better and more capable of managing their teams. The delegation of tasks, conflict management, motivation and relationship building (which should all be key responsibilities of any manager) are much easier to do effectively when you are a strong communicator. This isn’t just about having the ability to speak to people, but also to empower them to speak to each other so strong communication channels are especially key.
How can you improve how your organization communicates?
As professional recruiters, at Culture First Recruitment we understand the value of good communication, so I’ve outlined some of the key areas where organizations can improve and enhance communication between their teams:
Define goals and expectations
Managers need to deliver clear, achievable goals to both teams and individuals, outlining exactly what is required on any given project, and ensuring that all staff are aware of the objectives of that project, the department and the organization overall.
Be clear
Ensure your message is clear and accessible to your intended audience. To achieve this, it is essential that you speak plainly and politely, by getting your message across in a way that doesn’t cause confusion or offence.
Choose your medium carefully
Once you’ve created your message, you need to ensure it’s delivered in the best possible format. While face-to-face communication is by far the best way to build trust with employees, it is not always possible. Take time to decide whether information delivered in a printed copy would work better than an email or if a company-wide message will suffice.
Keep everyone involved
It’s so important to ensure that lines of communication are always kept open. Actively encourage progress reports and project updates, which is particularly important when dealing with remote staff.
Listen and show empathy
Communication is a two-way process and no company or individual will survive for long if there’s little or no encouragement to listen and to talk with people at work. Listening shows respect and allows for many things, and means you can learn about any issues that may arise. With regular discussions, issues can be reduced and prevented from escalating to becoming a bigger problem in the long run.
