Managers are keen on achieving great results and unmatched productivity, but what most of them don’t know is that effective communication stands behind all that. With poor internal communication comes a disorganized workplace that decreases productivity and motivation. So, how can you fix that?
Even though there is no one size fits all kind of advice, you need to work on achieving effective internal communication to encourage productivity. Sadly, a lot of companies see internal communication and its improvement as an expense. Luckily, it doesn't have to be like that with these 6 tips.
1. Build a strategy
Each business plan requires a strategy to give you a kickstart and an idea of where you want to finish. Therefore, creating an internal communication strategy that will lead to a productivity boost is the core of your future success. What should your strategy include?
Firstly, conduct a survey and different assessments of your current situation. Don't be surprised if the results come in negative! Start creating a plan with goals in mind. What is the end result you want to achieve and how can you get there? Stick to the strategy throughout the process, but don’t be rigid as it will require updates and changes over time.
2. Get to know your employees
An inexpensive trick that will help you improve communication and motivate employees to be more productive is simply getting to know them. Who are they outside work? What motivates them and what are their goals in life? Questions like these can help you understand your team better and adapt the communication to their preferred style.
Getting to know your employees is also beneficial for team bonding. Include both, one on ones and team meetings to improve your relationship with your colleagues. Such meetings will help you understand their actions and reactions better, which improves overall team communication.
3. Mind the non-verbal communication
When creating an internal communication strategy, besides the tone and formality of your messages, you need to understand the way non-verbal communication affects the entire atmosphere. Whether you work from the office or remotely, verbal and non-verbal communication happens every day. So, how can you improve your non-verbal cues to facilitate more productivity within your team?
The correlation isn’t linear however, your nonverbal cues can motivate employees to try harder. How is that? Your cheerful face and handshake of encouragement can boost employees' morale. In addition to that, you should also be mindful of their nonverbal communication. Sometimes they won't say anything, but display that something is wrong and that's where you step in.
4. Be the one who listens
Many managers think that talking and chatting in the workplace is unproductive. However, even small talk can help an employee get out of a bad mood and boost their effectiveness. As a team leader or a manager, it's up to you to know how to approach individuals and help them overcome any issues that are preventing 100% of the effort. So, what are your main tasks if you see that a teammate is down in the dumps?
Be the one who listens! By listening to your colleagues, you're building trust and helping them overcome possible negative emotions that prevent productive work. On top of that, encouragement and support from superiors always mean a lot to employees. Listen to their ideas, thoughts, worries, problems, and victories to build healthy in-house communication with your team.
5. Utilize tools and tech
The business world is continuously improving with new tools and technologies. They help us work easier and overcome common obstacles on the path to our goals. So, why wouldn't you use tools to improve communication and boost productivity in your team? Believe it or not, such apps and platforms exist and they are ideal for all organizations no matter the size or type!
Consider implementing an intranet platform or a reliable communication app that will help your team stay informed and connected. Such tools provide numerous benefits to internal communication as well as productivity. If you're unsure how to utilize them, check out internal communication examples by the largest and best companies that will inspire you to install tools for communication.
6. Ask and provide feedback
In communication and work, having feedback is always essential for improvement. The truth is, no matter how much you talk to your employees, if you don’t provide feedback on their work and results, they will be unsatisfied and unmotivated to work. So, introduce feedback as a crucial instance in your daily work. How do you provide feedback?
Constructive feedback always targets the behavior and never the personality. So, act according to that. Include both positive and negative comments to encourage productivity boost. On top of that, always ask for feedback on your work. Your employees and team can give you insight is some behavior you didn’t even know you displayed. This type of two-way communication is beneficial for both sides!
Final thoughts
To achieve results and improve productivity, you need to inspire your organization to communicate. Healthy communication leads to better collaboration, which is essential in both large and small teams. So, follow these tips to build a better environment where employees will be stimulated and encouraged to be productive!
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