Do you want your team to work more effectively and have better productivity? Any HR expert will tell you that communication is key to a functional workplace. Sad to say, creating well-run communication processes in such a setting is not always an easy thing to do.
The main reason humans communicate is because we want to express our thoughts and feelings. But, in a professional setting, the reason goes beyond that. Today, we will show strategies HR people can apply to improve workplace communication processes.
The Most Common Issues with Communication in the Workplace
Before we jump into what things you can do to have better workplace conversation and reporting, let’s first talk about the most common issues related to the topic. These signs are not always obvious, but it is best if you take action the first time you notice them.
Lack of in-person interaction has become one of the most common issues. This is especially true if you work in a remote work setting where team members have different work schedules. It may lead to weak team bonds and uncertainty in the work hierarchy.
Scattered communication channels are another common issue that can cause a headache for the HR team. This may not only make misaligned business goals but may also cause missed opportunities for solid cross-division collaboration.
Proven and Practical Ways to Enhance Workplace Communication
Poor communication processes in the workplace can cause very serious issues for a business. Thank goodness, we have rounded up several practical ways that have been proven to improve workplace communication strategies.
- Use a Simple Communication Channel
There are so many communications platforms available today, whether it is for desktop computers, mobile phones, or both. However, some of them include too many features and actually make things more complicated.
To make things run more efficiently, you have to use one that does not need a lot of learning curve. While certain platforms include an advanced project monitoring feature, your company may not need it and you should be more considerate about it.
- Meet Team Members In Person
Remote work has become a more common option for companies over the last few years. But, if you really want your team to be a solid one, you should ask the managers and executives to meet their team members in person once in a while.
When two (or more) people have a face-to-face conversation, there are a lot of non-verbal communication processes going on, and they can actually reveal more than the verbal one. In addition, team members will pay more attention when their manager is physically present.
- Use Visual Elements
Most people are visual learners, so it is no surprise that they receive information and instructions more clearly when their boss uses visual elements. Whether you use colorful graphics or engaging corporate email templates, they will be very beneficial along the way.
Visual elements also allow you to break down and present complex ideas better, especially when you are talking in front of a large and varied group. Infographics, for example, can help you relay important statistics better and keep your audience engaged longer.
- Allow Anonymous Feedback
Your team members often have valuable insights, but they are sometimes afraid that those might get them into trouble. Allowing anonymous feedback is your answer to address this situation, and you might be surprised what benefits it can actually bring to your company.
An anonymous feedback platform can provide team members with a safe and non-judgmental place to voice their ideas, especially for the quiet ones. And, it helps managers fill any knowledge gap in a team since it may uncover questions that were considered too “trivial” to ask.
- Develop Inter-Departmental Cooperation
The previously mentioned strategies can all be useful in making a team solid and more efficient. But, if your main goal is to maximize productivity and take your company to a higher level, then you should not forget about the inter-departmental cooperation aspect.
Inter-departmental cooperation can help different teams know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and this will allow them to fill in those slits and cracks. This can also make it easier for team leaders to synchronize their work better in a wide range of situations.
The Takeaway
Communication is an essential aspect of human life, and, when we have poor communication in the workplace, it means we are actually waiting for disaster to happen. It can impact your work efficiency and productivity, which in turn will affect your finances as well.
So, if you are one of the HR staff members, you better be aware of the telltale signs of ineffective workplace communication. And, when you notice one of those signs, you can try using the strategies above to keep things from getting worse.
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