Many external and internal factors can impact the trajectory, level of success, and overall performance a business hopes to attain during its operations. And while the current economic situation and constraints caused by the global pandemic may appear the most relevant by today’s standard, we mustn’t forget that a strong business framework supports all processes, specifically concerning good communication.
Nowadays, people often view online platforms, instant messaging tools, and a wide variety of channels to plan and connect as safe havens for good business communication when, in fact, an increase in quantity doesn’t necessarily ascertain a quality improvement. As a result, more and more startups are built on a shaky foundation due to poor communication where nobody’s ideas are adequately recognized, and numerous areas are ripe with inefficiencies.
Strains Work Progress and Productivity
From an outsider’s perspective, straightforward communication, business talk, and the dissemination of key information in a business may not seem like the most damning of aspects to experience shortfalls. However, since communication and getting your point across is a basic necessity in all levels of management and areas of function, poor business communication can strain work progress and productivity to a disastrous level that could potentially cost the company more than it can afford.
- Increasing Number of Conflicts of Interests: Firstly, where poor communication skills and channels are present, a growing number of conflicts of interests are guaranteed to follow. Often, when two departments are expected to work with each other on a project, a clear outline of each party’s expectations must be set to ensure smooth and timely completion. However, when key representatives from each other’s end cannot communicate and update one another, conflict and disagreements can arise due to misunderstandings.
- Repetition Due to Overlapping Responsibilities: Secondly, based on the same scenario above where two departments are expected to collaborate, the lack of communication can cause repetition of already completed responsibilities. If neither department holds up its share of updating the other, specific groups of people may accidentally step in on a work assignment that’s already in progress. As a result, instances of overlapping responsibilities and inefficient use of time will be pretty common, which are the last things you’d want to happen during fears of further economic slowdown.
- Low Employee Morale and Motivation: Lastly, one of the most negatively impactful ways poor communication can strain work progress and overall productivity is causing low employee morale and motivation in the workplace. Whether it’s meeting in a professional setting or simple office banter with colleagues, communication serves the purpose of meeting deadlines and promoting esprit de corps. And while these may not look as important when compared to more pressing business matters, their effects are cumulative and can have a lasting influence on business culture.
Be Persuasive and Impactful With Decisions
While we sincerely wish a magic button that could carry all communication-related problems away existed, fixing a deep-seated challenge, specifically poor business communication, will require more than just an overnight program and memorandum to resolve. Therefore, as a business leader, you must be persuasive and position yourself with decisions that will slowly chip away at the problem from its roots and promote a more inclusive workplace.
#1 Train Managers for Leadership Roles
Although managers and any other subsequent managerial positions serve the purpose of overseeing work progress, the direction of pace, and organization of a team or department, their level of authority also comes with influence. And given their positions, it’s not a stretch to say that managers can substantially impact workplace communication, overcoming the challenge through interpersonal relationships with their peers. Thus, training your managers for leadership roles and maybe even taking note of what makes an introvert’s perspective relevant can improve communication in a business.
#2 Incorporate Regular Team Briefings
Most of the time, employees would rather spend their mornings plunging straight into work and avoid the need for regular updates concerning progress and future roadmap. However, incorporating regular team briefings that actively promote good business communication is an excellent method of keeping everybody updated and the best opportunity to embrace unity and encourage teamwork. So look for a way to turn the view on regular team briefings on its head and transform it into something your employees will look forward to hearing from.
#3 Enable Two-way Feedback Systems
Last but not least, one of the most important things any business leader should remember when fixing poor communication in the workplace is that communication should always go both ways, not just a one-way stream of reporting. Therefore, it is in your best interests to implement two-way feedback systems that empower your employees’ voices to raise concerns, provide recommendations, and give business-specific details to improve the work environment. And if you want to take this solution even further, you must work with a business culture professional to discern how best to address critical weaknesses.
Create a Work Environment Conducive to Communication
At the end of the day, communication is always the key to success. Whether that’s from the perspective of a budding relationship or an up-and-coming startup, transparency, understanding, and a shared talking economy are essential. Therefore, don’t just focus on what’s in front of you, but look inward and create a work environment that’s conducive to communication.
