Living in the 21st century we think we have resolved all sorts of communication barriers. Well, technically speaking, we have. There is a plethora of communication channels out there that instantly connect you with a person who is living miles away. One might think that with so many channels out there, communication problems would be the least of concerns for organizations. Unfortunately, as it turns out, despite the advanced technology, lack of effective communication is one of the most persistent problems faced by companies all over the world.
As much as technology is important for a smooth internal communication in a company, it is of little to no use if proper strategies are not implemented. According to Workforce, 60% of the companies do not have a long term strategy for the internal communications at their workplace. Not only that, a survey by Gatehouse revealed that 21% of companies worldwide claim that they don’t have any formal planning for communication.
On the other hand, a rock solid internal communication within an organization leads to a boost in employee engagement, better collaboration, increased profits and improved customer service. So, if you are trying to fix communication at your workplace relying on technology alone isn’t enough, what you need is an effective strategy and appropriate planning. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts of fixing internal communication within a workplace:
The Do’s:
Be open and approachable:
If you want to maintain a healthy communication within your staff, you need to first set an example. For that, it is imperative that as a manager you are welcoming and open towards your employees. Your employees need to know that they have your back and you will be there when you need them. Employees these days prefer working for organizations where their bosses are more friendly and approachable.
Be transparent:
Do you know that employees who are well informed about the company’s policies and are kept in loop regarding any new upgrades are 77% more likely to outperform their counterparts? Also, 85% of the employees say that they become more motivated when their company keeps them regularly informed about any latest news and upgrades. When you are transparent with your employees, they feel that they are an important part of the organization which in turn motivates and encourages them.
Use a communication and collaboration software:
So you have multiple channels of communication therefore, you shouldn’t face any communication issues right? Not really. Having too many channels actually leads to miscommunication and confusion. Instead of opting for multiple channels, it’s better to have a single channel where all your staff can connect. Therefore, a collaboration and communication software app is ideal for executing effective and smooth communication. Workspee is a team building and communication software that provides swift and seamless channels of communication that enhance collaboration and improve the communication within your company’s staff.
Give your employees a voice
An important aspect of a healthy communication is give and take. If you want others to listen to you, you have to hear them out as well. This means that you give your employees a chance to share their concerns and act upon their demands. It’s good to give feedback, but it’s equally good to receive it. When you take feedbacks from your employees, you give them a medium through which they can voice their issues and give suggestions that best suit them and the organization.
Have collaborative tasks and projects:
Among many tremendous benefits of collaboration is that it greatly improves the relationship between your employees. If done properly, teamwork is a great way to break the ice and remove communication barriers between your staff. Therefore, in order to regulate a healthy flow of communication and to bring your employees closer, it’s crucial to have regular group projects and collaborative tasks. Teamwork is also a great way to remove any miscommunication and misunderstandings that your employees might have with each other and is an ideal strategy to bring them closer.
Keep a check on your employees:
This doesn’t mean that you start micromanaging them and scrutinize their every move. Keeping a check on your employees simply means that you keep an eye on what kind of communication happens between your employees. This is to prevent any sort of workplace harassment, bullying or conspiracies. The best way to do so is to provide a medium to your employees where they can report any sort of misconduct or a negative behavior. Workspee has such an option where employees can report any concerns to the admins.
The Don’ts:
Rely too much on written communication
Written communication is great but relying too much on it is not. For group work and team meetings, it’s always best to avoid written communication especially when you’re working remotely. Also, you can never deliver your true emotions in a written text. It’s quite easy to take your words out of context that way. So, to avoid miscommunication and confusion, it’s better to have face to face interactions and meetings.
Have an overload of emails:
According to a research, 63% of the employees claim that they lose important information because of emails. Yet, email remains the most commonly used method of communication in organizations. Emails are impersonal and may not reach the employees on time. With a channel like Workspee, you won’t need to overload your employees with emails. You can instantly get in touch with them through chat or video calling.
Leave anyone out
You might not realize that most of your employees, especially remote workers, feel that they are not an important part of their organization because they are not included in important meetings and they do not receive important company information. If you want your employees to feel valued and implement effective communication at your workplace, treat your employees equally and keep all of your employees up to dated and informed about latest news, upcoming projects, events and policies.
Speak without a purpose
When interacting with your employees, it’s best to be concise and clear about the topic of your conversation. Before you set out any meeting or before addressing your employees in general make sure you are clear on your purpose. Avoid beating about the bush and rambling in general. Try to stay focused on the topic at hand.
Be disrespectful and rude:
How you interact with your employees sets a precedent of how communication should look like in your organization. If you are rude and unprofessional with your employees, do not expect them to have a positive attitude towards their coworkers as well. It’s important to adopt a respectful tone with your employees and to use positive and encouraging words. It will not only boost their morale but will also showcase how you expect them to interact with their colleagues.
The state of communication at your workplace is a reflection of how business is conducted at your workplace. So, if you want your business to succeed, you must fix the internal communication of your organization first. And it’s not rocket science. Neither does it need a lot of money. All you need is smart planning and a couple of effective strategies to build a culture of strong and healthy communication amongst your staff.
