The Importance of Effective Communication
iMPACT describes effective communication as communication that “delivers a message in a way that allows the listener to feel valued and heard.” This type of communication is not only necessary for having good relationships with family and friends, but also with employers, employees, and co-workers. According to this 2016 Gallup poll,companies who focus on improving work communication and relationships experience 20% higher productivity, 21% higher profitability, and 41% lower absenteeism. In addition, Leadership Choice outlines 4 major benefits of having effective workplace communication:
- Increased employee engagement
- A more productive and talented workforce
- Less conflict in the workplace
- Improved client relationships
How to Improve Workplace Communication
- Create a Culture of Sharing: To improve workplace communication, it is always good to start at the roots of an organization – it’s culture. Working towards a culture of sharing means encouraging all employees to share their thoughts, opinions, ideas, and information openly and freely. When they feel that what they share is genuinely listened to and appreciated, employees will continue to share and communication improves.
- Utilize an Internal Messaging Platform: Messaging planforms, such as Slack, speed up the communication process between employees and helps them get quick answers to questions. Within the platform, you can also create specific channels where anyone can share information. Channel examples from iMPACT include, company updates, developer help desk, parenting life, random, happy thoughts/employee recognition, and specific client channels. Platforms like Slack not only improve communication, but they help improve employee relationships.
- Consider a Monthly Newsletter: Monthly newsletters within an organization are a great way to keep all employees up-to-date on organizational news and important information. It is also a platform where you can continue building up your culture, recognize employees’ accomplishments, reiterate goals and visions, follow up on survey results, and so much more!
- Focus on Two-Way Communication: Most communication issues within an organization result from one-way, or top-down, communication. When leaders open up communication to all employees, the whole organization runs more smoothly. This is because direct communication from leaders reduces confusion, and hearing about issues first hand from employees allows problems to be resolved more efficiently.
For more great tips on improving communication in the workplace, visit iMPACT!
