When people don’t know what’s going on in their workplace, it can signal disaster for them and the business they work for. Improved communication is not something that happens overnight, but with a little time, effort and determination, employees and employers will find more satisfaction. Here are five ways in which you can help.
- You listen
While it’s not easy to listen to all bosses, especially when they’re confident that their ideas and strategies are correct, taking into account other people’s opinions is a surefire way to bring people together. Actively listening and actually providing new things, suggested by employees, will show trust and confidence in them.
- Create opportunities to communicate
Business hours are tight. However, taking a little pocket time once or twice a week for employees to go and talk to you can prove invaluable. A drop-in session where workers can share any concerns or suggestions will ensure they feel they are respected and their opinions matter. Having feedback from your employees will help you develop plans for the future and tailor things towards them and your own strengths.
In today’s era, the use of technology goes hand in hand with communication. Everyone tends to have a cell in their hands at any given moment, so the ability to talk to someone at the touch of a button appeals to most employees. Investing in an app or platform, such as the Now Platform provided by ServiceNow ITSM, can be revolutionary. Doing so ensures that everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet and up to date with all the information and data they need. Furthermore, the use of tech, such as Grammarly, to improve written communication should be encouraged. Poor use of spelling and grammar in emails and letters, for example, can leave a bad impression for clients, potential or others.
Have you ever sat in a meeting that seemed to go on forever and you were left with more questions than answers at the end of it? This can be frustrating, and often attending such a meeting leads to increased annoyance about what can actually be achieved in that wasted time. Scheduling meetings with an accurate agenda and authorization only at a specific time period can help. Additionally, making sure minutes are taken to keep everyone up to date with developments and news is important.
In all workplaces, it is important to assume that there will be a degree of difference in terms of communication. For example, you may have those who rely on some form of lip reading or they may have difficulty understanding facial expressions and body language, perhaps because of a diagnosis of autism. Therefore, making sure you build an inclusive workplace can really help to improve communication, allowing all employees to have equal access to the information they need. This may mean that other workers will need more training, but it will be worth it.