Your team is having some communication issues. This can quickly become a problem that impacts every aspect of your company, so it’s time to take action.
Ready to get started? Keep reading to learn more about why communication is important and how to improve it.
Importance of Effective Communication
You can’t have a functional workplace without effective communication. If your team isn’t on the same page, they will be completely out of sync. This will cause them to be disengaged, unproductive, and unsatisfied with their jobs.
Clearly, you can’t afford to put communication on the back burner. When employees are able to properly interact with one another, they’re happy and driven — and that shows in the results they produce.
Common Barriers to Communication
When communication is lacking at your company, there’s generally a variety of reasons. One of the most common issues is a lack of communication skills among your staff. Different people communicate in different ways, which can make it hard for people to relate to one another.
Organizational structure can also be an issue. If information has to go through a large chain of command, messaging can often get lost in translation.
Not sharing the full breadth of information — i.e., operating on a ‘need-to-know basis’ — can also cause issues because people are never able to see the full picture. This can also cause employees to feel like you don’t trust or value them, which often leads to disengagement — making communication even worse.
Strategies for Improving Communication
Boosting communication at your company is very possible, but it will involve a variety of different approaches. One of the best ways to go about this is to ensure managers have regular one-on-one meetings with employees. This builds a bond and gives employees a safe space to speak their minds, which is especially helpful for those who aren’t comfortable speaking up in larger meetings.
This isn’t to say team meetings aren’t important, because they are. In fact, they should be held on a weekly basis. When sharing updates with employees, they should always be told why the company is making certain moves because this affects them, too.
Of course, effective communication is a two-way street, so always make time to listen. Request feedback and actually use it to make meaningful changes. This shows employees you value their input and truly care about what they have to say.
Tools and Technologies for Enhancing Communication
Implementing new communication tools and technologies can make a huge difference. If your company doesn’t already use chat software, this can be very helpful — especially if employees aren’t working in the same physical location. This is a less formal feel than email, so people can use it to send quick messages or simply enjoy a bit of friendly chatter throughout the day.
Creating communication protocols for your company is also a great idea. Setting standards for when email, chat, or phone calls should be used gets everyone on the same page. For example, ask employees to pick up the phone for urgent matters because people aren’t necessarily checking email every second.
If you’re searching for new hires to join your Southwestern Michigan or Northern Indiana team, Wood Staffing wants to help better. Contact us today to get started!
