Communication
The health of a business is directly related to the effectiveness of its communication. Whether internal or external, communication shapes interpersonal relationships within your organization and changes the way you are perceived by clients. Many leaders struggle to communicate across teams. Differing personalities, styles, and preferences make workplace dynamics and interpersonal communication more complex. When you’re looking to communicate with your team, there’s a lot to consider.
Additionally, the complexities of the last two years changed the way we work. Many companies have shifted toward hybrid or remote work models, and we can only assume that any hurdles surrounding communication will increase—especially for those who started a new job in the last few years and haven’t had a chance to meet their coworkers in person.
After over two decades of running a hybrid-modeled business, I’ve learned a lot about helping teams communicate more effectively. See my resources below for more of my thoughts and what I’ve learned about leading multiple businesses to success.
There are several essential keys to communication for business leaders. Here are some of the tips that have served me well over the years:
01
Working remotely is a potential hindrance to effective communication. Those who work from home have fewer interactions with their bosses or supervisors, and often report feeling unsure about how they are performing in their roles. This creates the possibility of communication breakdown between teams, or between employees and their managers. Interpersonal interaction is vital to understanding the full context of someone’s words, and ultimately, remote work doesn’t provide an opportunity for this level of nuance. You’re missing the “water-cooler moments” that make up a small but significant part of the work day. So what is the solution here? Leaders must learn to create watercolor moments in a remote working environment. Utilize every digital tool available to you, and don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call your employees (I do this with my team at least once a week). Check in on them regularly and make sure they’re doing well on a personal and professional level. Asking how your team is doing on a daily basis is a vital part of them feeling valued and connected. If you aren’t able to pick up the phone and call them, become more expressive in your digital communication—a simple gif or emoji goes a long way.
02
Ask yourself critical questions about your communication methods in order to help your employees avoid burnout. One of the often-touted adages in the workplace today is, “could this meeting have been an email?”, and while it’s become sort of a joke, it’s still a good question to ask yourself. Are you using the best method possible to accurately convey what you’re trying to communicate?
03
It is a leader’s responsibility to communicate your company’s purpose to your team. If your employees understand the “why” behind your company, they feel more inspired and are more likely to be motivated in their roles. Companies that clearly communicate their purpose to employees and customers alike see an increase in innovation. In order to achieve a common goal, you first have to articulately express what that goal is. Make sure you are communicating the purpose or “why” behind your company to all of your employees.
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