COMMUNICATION
3CREATE A CULTURE OF RADICAL CANDOR Effective feedback is a critical component of a healthy company . Caring about others means lifting them up when they need encouragement and pointing out what they can change to avoid mistakes in the future .
Radical Candor allows leaders to offer kind and clear criticism and specific and sincere praise so everyone knows what to do more of and what to do less of . This framework is one of the best ways to fix communication issues in the workplace before they start .
Radical Candor is not the same as brutal honesty . You can be forthright and honest while still letting employees and team members know you care about them and will work alongside them to reach goals .
A desire to help others grow is at the core of Radical Candor .
One of the easiest ways to fix communication issues in the workplace is to steer clear of communication styles that are obnoxious , manipulative , or avoidant , and always communicate from a place that demonstrates your care while also showing you ’ re not afraid to challenge others to do better .
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CREATE COMMUNICATION POLICIES Approximately 45 % of workers say their employer doesn ’ t have a communication policy . This is how things go sideways .
If you want to create communication norms on your team , start by outlining the ideal way to talk to another person , incorporating the principles of Radical Candor .
Create rules about how leadership addresses employee concerns , such as inviting human resources ( HR ) to the conversation .
Dig deeper and set standards about language , tone of voice , and what constitutes formal and informal reprimands . Employees are more likely to make changes when they feel respected and management cares about them .
5SHARE INFORMATION TO AVOID COMMUNICATION ISSUES IN THE WORKPLACE Imagine being an employee at an office building who is preparing to go on parental leave . You go to the head of HR , ask a few questions , and then think through other ones you have .
However , when you head back to HR , the point of contact is out on medical leave and no one else seems to know the answers .
One way to avoid knowledge gatekeepers and make procedures accessible to everyone is to create documentation . Handbooks and guides allow someone to step into a role and pick up the responsibilities when the primary employee is out of the office .
Communication issues also occur when someone hoards knowledge , even unintentionally . This is a form of micromanagement that keeps people from accessing the information they need to succeed at their jobs .
Commit to being a thought partner and ensure everyone can find what they need to meet the expectations of their role .
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ASK FOR EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK The importance of feedback in the workplace cannot be overstated , yet most employers fail to solicit feedback from their staff .
Around 25 % get input quarterly , but another 15 % never ask for input on how well they ’ re doing their jobs .
Effective communication is a dialogue , not a monologue . You must solicit feedback , listen with the intent to understand , and communicate how you plan to respond
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