communication
COMMUNICATION IS KEY By : Kayce Hollingsworth , MS , EFDA
“ Communication is necessary for nearly all forms of organizational activity and therefore necessary for organizational success . It shapes , limits , and defines perceptions of individuals and organizations alike ” ( Zaremba , 2010 ). It is imperative to have a communication strategy to deliver information about office expectations and established policy from the hire date . To do this , it is important to have a vision for the group , a mission statement to follow , and regularly scheduled group meetings , along with one-on-one reviews that helps keep the lines of communication open and effective .
While we can all speak and we can all hear , this does not mean that we can all communicate well . According to a Watson Wyatt study , companies that communicate the most effectively are 50 % more likely to report low turnover levels compared with the industry average . Key components to effective communication are to establish trust , be transparent , and be willing to listen . “ Remove credibility and openness as organizational trademarks and you have eliminated important planks from the foundation of your enterprise ” ( Zaremba , 2010 ). If these important tenets are lacking , one can rest assure that valuable employees will not remain with the organization and internal strife will be a common occurrence . The following are suggestions for establishing effective communication within the workplace :
1 . Create a vision and a mission for the company .
This will give the group a clear direction and definite goals to meet . A mission statement and a written code of ethics help to establish the guidelines for employees to follow and embrace . Continue to refer to the vision and mission statement regularly to emphasize workplace objectives .
2 . Establish trust .
Lay a good foundation of support for employees and secure a good rapport with them . Proof through words and actions can create much-needed trust for honest communication . If an employee trusts their employer , they are more likely to voice concerns that may avoid problems in the future .
3 . Have ethical and credible leadership to lead by example .
When the workplace has good leaders who operate with integrity , it creates an atmosphere that is more conducive to building trust . Employees who work for a company with honest and open leaders tend to be happier in their positions and will remain on the job longer . This not only helps retain valuable employees , but it also saves the company money by not having to replace and train new employees more frequently .
4 . Build a positive company culture .
Establishing open and supportive communication networks is critical for information exchange and for creating an uplifting work environment for everyone . Supervisors need to be approachable , trustworthy , and non-judgmental when interacting with their subordinates . A good attitude and active listening is essential to keeping communication productive and beneficial .
5 . Have regular meetings to promote the exchange of ideas and information .
To keep everyone informed , regular office meetings should be scheduled with clear agendas and opportunities for employee feedback . Departmental and one-on-one meetings should also be integrated at regular intervals . Encourage participatory decision making and put an emphasis on high performance goals with rewards . This structural approach to open dialogue will provide a gratifying work environment for employees .
6 . Give clear expectations .
Everyone must have a clear understanding of their roles within the office . If these are distinctly defined early in employment , there is less likelihood of misunderstandings about employee responsibilities .
7 . Avoid making assumptions .
Ask the pertinent questions to obtain the answers needed in all circumstances . Making assumptions can lead to miscommunication and negative feelings .
8 . Be genuine and compliment often .
Offer compliments about duties that are performed well . Be specific so the employee understands exactly what was laudable . The
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