In the dynamic landscape of the modern workplace, effective communication is the
cornerstone of a thriving organizational culture. Timely and transparent
communication not only fosters a sense of trust and transparency but also plays a
pivotal role in enhancing employee satisfaction and well-being, particularly during
times of change or uncertainty.
A long time ago now, I remember one of my first boss’ saying to me: ‘Even if there is
nothing to say, say that! Otherwise people will make up their own story.’ Otherwise
people will jump to (often unhelpful) conclusions and get the rumour mill stirring,
which is the last thing you need, especially during times of transformation.
Timely Communication Matters for a number of (very obvious) reasons.
Communicating with your people regularly builds Trust and Transparency: keeping
employees informed about important developments, changes, or decisions within the
organization allows them to feel that they are kept in the loop. And when staff feel
that there are no ‘nasty surprises lurking’ they are more likely to trust leadership and
feel valued as integral contributors to the company's success.
Regular communication also reduces Anxiety and Uncertainty: In periods of
change or uncertainty, such as organizational restructuring, mergers, or crises,
employees may experience heightened levels of anxiety and stress. Timely
communication helps alleviate these feelings by providing clarity, context, and
reassurance. When employees understand the reasons behind changes and their
potential impact, they feel more prepared and empowered to navigate challenges
effectively.
Here, I think the bit that I’ve learnt is most important, is to ‘close the loop’ with people
and do what you said you’d do. This can start with the smallest things. If you’ve run a
change workshop and told everyone you’ll share the slides afterwards, do that. If
you’ve told people, the Employee Engagement scores will be out in June – make
sure they are published in June. Or, if there is delay in the publication, let people
know. For my HR and Transformation colleagues out there, this is second nature, but
it’s still something that all too often doesn’t happen reliably.
Real-time updates empower employees to stay engaged and aligned with the
organization's goals and priorities. When employees are kept informed about
relevant information, they feel more connected to the company's mission and vision, leading to greater motivation and commitment to their work. They are more able to connect with the bigger picture and speak up if they don’t agree, or have ideas to
contribute to improve things, which leads me onto the next point:
Regular and open communication enhances Problem-Solving and Adaptability:
Timely communication enables employees to respond quickly and adaptively to
changing circumstances. By keeping employees informed about emerging issues or
opportunities, organizations can leverage the collective intelligence and creativity of
their workforce to address challenges and seize new opportunities proactively.
Here, for me the thing that stands out is to genuinely listen as an organization. All too
often ‘listening workshops’ can become a tick box exercise and when they do, staff
notice (and it does damage to the trust they have in the organisation). Again, if you
want people’s input, but know there is only a limited amount they can influence, say
that. It’s much more powerful to set realistic expectations about what things can be
changed up front, rather than waste people’s time.
In today’s age or Digital Transformation there are many fantastic tools to use to
implement Effective Real-time Communication strategies. The below are not
rocket science, but more a reminder of best practice:
1. Utilize Digital Platforms: Leverage digital communication tools such as
instant messaging, email updates, and internal social media platforms to
disseminate real-time information efficiently. These platforms enable
employees to stay connected, collaborate, and receive updates regardless of
their physical location. Many of them also allow for genuine two way
engagement.
2. Establish Clear Channels: Establish clear channels for communication,
ensuring that employees know where to access important updates and who to
contact for clarification or further information. Create dedicated channels or
forums for discussing specific topics, projects, or initiatives to streamline
communication and minimize confusion. Often, this is easier said than done –
but it’s a really important part to get right!
3. Provide Context and Clarity: When communicating important updates or
changes, provide context and clarity to help employees understand the
rationale behind decisions and their potential implications. Use plain language
and avoid jargon to ensure messages are easily understood by all members
of the organization. Again, the more regularly you communicate with your
people and are able to tie the messages into the bigger picture and the
‘golden thread’ of your organisation the more staff will feel connected and
engaged.
4. Encourage Two-way Communication: Foster a culture of open dialogue and
feedback where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns,
and suggestions. Encourage leaders to actively listen to employee feedback
and address any questions or concerns promptly, demonstrating a
commitment to transparency and accountability. It’s tempting to just do this
virtually, but there is a magic and a power when people come together face to
face regularly – especially when they get to connect with their leaders this
way.
As organizations continue to navigate an increasingly complex and fast-paced
business landscape, prioritizing real-time communication will be essential for
cultivating a culture of transparency, collaboration, and resilience. It’s not always
easy to do and some elements take some time and thought – especially when it
comes to joining the dots for people or introducing meaningful two-way
communication channels.
But timely communication is a powerful tool for driving employee engagement and
nurturing the psychological contract organisations have with their people, enhancing
problem-solving capabilities and ultimately contributing to greater employee
satisfaction, productivity, and overall success.
If you want to access a useful ‘done for you’ resource around creating an Employee
Forum to encourage effective two-way communication and enhance employee
engagement, take a look at Employee Forum Toolkit | arpartnersconsulting
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