Effective communication in workplace/business

Communication is very important to companies because it allows companies to be productive and operate effectively.

Communication: the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors to express or exchange information or to express your ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc., to someone else.

Workplace: a place where people work, such as an office or factory.

Employees can experience an increase in morale, productivity and commitment if they are able to communicate up and down the communication chain in an organization.

When employees feel that they are well informed of the company’s direction and vision, they will feel more secure within their role. Regular internal communication can also lead to an improved work ethic if staff are reminded of achievements and feel that they are working towards a common goal.

Employers who invest time and energy into delivering clear lines of communication will rapidly build trust amongst employees, leading to increases in productivity, output and morale in general.

Poor communication in the workplace will inevitably lead to unmotivated staff that may begin to question their own confidence in their abilities and inevitably in the organisation.

Below, I have outlined some of the key areas where organisations can improve and enhance their communications.

– Clearly set goals and expectations and ensures transparency: Management needs 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 the goal and project, the department and the organisation as a whole. When regularly communicating both internally and externally, organisations remain more transparent. The most persuasive kind of communication is not what management say, but what they do. When management actions or attitudes contradict their words, others tend to discount what they have said.

– Clearly give your message and instructions with examples: Ensure your message is clear and accessible to your intended audience. To do this it is essential that you speak plainly and politely getting your message across clearly without causing confusion or offence and also give examples for better understanding. Once you have created your message you need to ensure its 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 an option. Take time to decide whether information delivered in a printed copy would work better than an email or if a general memo will suffice.

– Keep everyone involved and facilitate innovation: Ensure that lines of communication are kept open at all times. Actively seek and encourage progress reports and project updates. This is particularly important when dealing with remote staff. When employees feel comfortable in openly communicating new ideas, cooperation and innovation will be at an all-time high. In addition, if staff are unable to convey their ideas due to limited communication skills, it is likely that the idea will not be implemented to its full potential.

– Listen patiently and stop talking: Communication is a two-way process and no company or individual will survive long if it doesn’t listen and encourage dialogue with the other party. Listening shows respect and allows you to learn about any outstanding issues you may need to address as an employer. You cannot do an effective listening job while you are talking. Nature gave people two ears but only one tongue, which is a gentle hint that they should listen more than they talk. Management who do not listen have less information for making sound decisions.