Communication is an essential part of running a business. It’s a great way to make sure everyone on your team is on the same page and knows what’s expected of them, and it keeps everyone working toward the same company goals. Not only that, but good communication builds trust between your teams, creating a more […]
The Thrive Global Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
Communication is an essential part of running a business. It’s a great way to make sure everyone on your team is on the same page and knows what’s expected of them, and it keeps everyone working toward the same company goals. Not only that, but good communication builds trust between your teams, creating a more enjoyable work environment overall. Leadership should know how crucial communication is: not only do you need to communicate everything clearly to your employees, but you also need to listen to what your employees have to say. Communication, after all, is a two-way street, and any issue with communication can quickly cause your employees to become disengaged with their job.
Poor communication skills don’t mean your company is doomed—there are many ways you can improve your communication without spending too much money or time on doing so. Here are some ways to work on improving your communication.
Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with your employees
No matter how much you advertise that you’re there for your employees, there will always be some that have an issue talking with you in a public setting. Instead, set aside some time each week or each month to spend time with your employees and give them a private space to talk to you. If you have to miss a meeting, reach out to the other person to let them know. Don’t make missing meetings a regular occurrence, however—this sends the message that you don’t value what your employee has to say, which reduces trust and worsens communication.
These meetings don’t have to be structured rigidly but stay focused on current priorities and goals during them. Ask what your employees need from you and let them voice any concerns they might be having, share any project ideas they have, and the like.
Follow up with clear notes and job expectations
You don’t need to take notes during every meeting with your employees or your team as a whole, but notes can be useful in the long run. You can have any agreed-upon deadlines written down and shared with the other person involved, making sure everyone is on the same page. This is especially important during remote work, as internet or technical issues can accidentally leave an employee out of the loop.
Having notes handy will make sure everyone understands what’s expected of them while they work and gives all employees the information they need to get their jobs done. Rotate who takes the notes at each meeting and communicate with them afterward to understand which employees are doing what and by when. This will also make it easier to tap into the resources the rest of your company has to offer, making business easier.
Communication is a two-way street
You shouldn’t focus on handing out instructions and orders only. As someone in management, it’s your job to ask for feedback on your ideas from your team members, let others speak at meetings, and listen to what everyone has to say. Communication is about listening just as much as it is about speaking.
Not every employee will communicate the same way. Everyone has a different personality, and introverted people won’t speak with you the same way extroverted people will. Since extroverted people might have their ideas heard more prominently than introverted people, make sure to check in with your quieter employees to hear what they have to say.
Eduard Kovynev, of Canton, GA, is a professional finance and accounting expert who has been involved in the field for nearly ten years. He attended Kennesaw State University’s Coles College of Business, where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting and a minor in Finance. Eduard has been business-minded since his college days, where he worked as a team lead and eventual operations manager at Chick-Fil-A, and he carried his leadership skills and business knowledge from that job to other jobs within his field. Eduard worked with Vallen Distribution from 2014 to 2020 in several positions and got awarded Employee of the Year in 2019. His most recent job was as an accountant with Innovative Chemical Technologies.
Share your comments below. Please read our commenting guidelines before posting. If you have a concern about a comment, report it here.
Top Benefits of Ergonomics at Workplace Ergonomics in the workplace is about creating environments that are designed to meet the requirements of the user. Ergonomics is about keeping the working environment comfortable for workers as well as increasing productivity and efficiency. It’s a difficult task to manage today’s workplace as companies must keep making adjustments to create an enjoyable and healthy workplace for their employees. It is essential to ensure that employees are able and willing to show up for work every day. There are specific ergonomic issues at work due to the usage of standard office equipment such as chairs, desks, computers and laptops, and phones. Employers must be aware of problems with ergonomics in their workplace and adjust the workstation of the office to accommodate the users. This will greatly improve efficiency and comfort at the workplace. Tip 1. Maintain an evenly distributed weight as you sit If you are spending most of your time in a desk chair, there are a few ways to increase your comfort. When you sit down, ensure that you are in a straight position in your chair, with your spine pressed against the backrest. The knees must be straight or slightly lower over the hips, with your feet supported by the floor or footrests. This helps equally distribute your weight over your hips, legs, and back to ensure that you’re not over-stressing the body’s one area and increasing the risk of straining certain muscles. Tip 2. Adjust your posture to decrease the chance of developing neck pain. To avoid sore necks, keep your head straight to the shoulders. If your shoulders and head are tilted forward, it is most likely to stress your ligaments and muscles that support your neck. Make sure you maintain a supportive posture by keeping your shoulders back and your head up. This posture will aid in keeping your joints in a comfortable position and decrease the likelihood of stiff back and neck. Tip 3. Make sure you maximize the position of your keyboard and monitor The strategic placement of your keyboard and monitor can assist in reducing poor posture, tight shoulders, and strained wrists. To avoid bent wrists while typing, you type, make sure your keyboard is set at a height that allows your elbows to be bent close to 90 degrees. Your keyboard should be placed flat or at a negative angle to ensure a balanced hand and wrist posture. The monitor should not be less than 20 inches away from your eyes and place, so the top portion of your screen is about eye level. This can help ease any tension on your neck and shoulders. 4. …
