Effective communication is essential for your business to succeed. Not only does it transform the way your team works together, but it also reduces in-house conflicts and redundancies. If you communicate effectively, your employees will like you and will listen to you. So, what is effective communication and how do you develop it?
What is Communication?
Communication involves the exchange of information and the method used to make this exchange. In a company, whether it’s a small business or a global corporation, communication is the means by which people exchange information about various business operations. Maximum effectiveness of communication within any organization is very desirable. Here are the elements of effective organizational communication. It is necessary for it to be:
- Verifiably factual: Optimal communication is comprised of information that is completely factually correct.
- One hundred percent complete: It must express absolutely every important piece of information that needs to be said.
- Completely accurate: As well as being complete, communication must be completely accurate.
- Well-targeted: The information you are communicating must be aimed at the right group of people within your organization.
- Easy to understand: You must organize the information so that the people who are listening to it do not need to spend a lot of time processing it to understand it.
- Timely: The information you are conveying must be passed on at the right time.
Why Effective Communication is Vital for Your Business
Ineffective communication can cause all sorts of issues within your company. Workplace risks, incoherent policies, and under-performance are just a few. Optimal communication is key for decision-making and for allowing the flow of back and forth communication through your organization’s vertical channels.
A further benefit of effective communication is that it assists with cross-departmental coordination. This enables your organization to not only have a highly efficient system, but also one which is optimally collaborative, so that all your departments, be they marketing, HR, admin or acquisitions, are all aiming for the same goals.
Strategies for Developing the Most Effective Communication
Here are some measures to help you develop more effective communication throughout your company.
1. Make the most of multiple channels
By using more than one communication channel, you can establish exchanges of information that might not happen otherwise.
2. Improve two-way feedback
Nurture a positive environment and a sense of mutual respect by asking for and giving feedback throughout your organization.
3. Keep the steps to communication short
By making it easy for intra-communications to take place at and between all levels, you ensure improved fidelity in the exchange of information.
4. Be mindful of clarity
Encourage an organizational culture that always aims for sensitivity to the needs of the recipient of the information.
Strategies to Make You an Strong Communicator
If you introduce these tactics into your daily routine, they can help you become a more effective communicator.
1. Lead by example
Practicing what you preach goes a long way in the business world. If you always deliver on your promises, people will follow you because they trust you, so it always pays to be genuine and honest.
2. Keep it simple
Don’t over-inform your team. Too much information just causes confusion. Simply say what you mean; in the world of communication, less is always more.
3. Be authentic
Always strive to be the best version of yourself that you can be. Be who you are, and your team will know you are expressing yourself honestly.
4. Be here now
Always be present. That doesn’t mean that you can’t take a break from work from time to time, but when you are working on planning and strategy, be focused and be visible to your team. Make sure your presence does not go unnoticed. Always allow people a chance to see you around the company.
5. Leave your door open
Make sure that your team members feel they can talk to you when they need to. If you can’t leave your door open all the time, then schedule a time at least once a week when you can. That way your team will know that they can count on you.
6. Encourage self-improvement
Every time a member of your workforce learns a new skill, it’s better for your company as a whole. Many companies support continued education within or outside of the workplace. If you can’t support your employee’s self-improvement financially, at least try to maintain a little flexibility with their schedules.
7. Support vacation time
The last thing you need is a workforce that is burned out and unproductive. To make sure this never happens, be supportive of vacation time. Your team will be much more productive and creative if they are well-rested and refreshed.
Remember, improving your communication skills and strategies can make for a more productive workforce and more loyal employees.
