Communication is a crucial aspect I consistently emphasize in my coaching sessions and speaking engagements. If you've attended any of my events, you'll notice that I stress the importance of communication in all types of relationships, especially within the workplace. In this era of virtual meetings and remote work, maintaining clear and effective communication is more vital than ever for businesses and organizations to thrive.

In one of my coaching sessions, I advised a coachee to respond promptly to their boss's messages, ensuring smooth communication even in a remote setting. The result was a strengthened working relationship, increased productivity, and the removal of the "inactive" label that had been placed on the coachee.

The landscape of workplace communication has transformed due to technological advancements, offering a variety of channels for information exchange. Leaders and their teams can now share ideas through both formal and informal means. It is essential for leaders and workers to adapt to these changes to maximize productivity.

According to Firstup.io, workplace communication is the process through which employees exchange information and ideas. Effective communication is critical for any job to be done, whether in-person or virtually, and it plays a significant role in an organization's internal communications efforts. A Workforce poll revealed that approximately 60% of companies do not have a long-term strategy for their internal communications. Regularly reviewing and updating a business's communication strategy will guide the creation and sharing of ideas that drive the organization's future.

Ringcentral further explains that workplace communication is not only about working well with others but also about building relationships, minimizing errors, and maximizing productivity. Encouraging good communication habits can be one of the most crucial actions a leader can take, as poor communication can lead to substantial financial losses. In a survey of 400 corporations, communication barriers were found to cost an estimated $37 billion per year in lost productivity.\

To further emphasize the importance of effective communication, consider its impact on team dynamics and overall performance. When employees communicate well with one another, they can more easily collaborate on projects, identify and resolve problems, and work towards shared goals. As a result, teams become more efficient, innovative, and capable of handling complex tasks. Additionally, effective communication helps prevent misunderstandings that could lead to costly mistakes or delays, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.

Another aspect of effective communication in the workplace is the ability to provide constructive feedback. As a leader, offering clear, specific, and actionable feedback can help employees understand their strengths and areas for improvement. This, in turn, enables them to grow professionally and contribute more effectively to the organization's success. Likewise, encouraging a culture of open and honest feedback can lead to the continuous improvement of processes and procedures, driving innovation and growth. By creating an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their insights and observations, leaders can harness the collective wisdom of the entire team, ultimately resulting in a more successful and resilient organization.

So, what effective communication skills can be implemented in the workplace, and how can they be developed? Regardless of the size or nature of your organization, having clear communication from top to bottom is essential. This involves understanding "shared meaning"—ensuring that everyone comprehends the same information and terminology, especially when it comes to industry-specific jargon. As a leader, it is crucial to analyze your communication practices periodically to identify areas for improvement. By developing a strong communication strategy, you can prevent miscommunication, keep discussions concise and focused, and save valuable time.

Effective communication can enhance employee engagement in various ways:

• Provides tools to better understand employees' needs and goals.

• Helps identify what motivates and fulfills employees.

• Reveals employees' hidden talents and skills.

• Enables talent development in alignment with company goals.

• Strengthens relationships between coworkers, fostering a positive work environment.

• Improves relationships with managers and leaders.

Good communication also contributes to better client relationships. Employees trained in effective communication can more easily:

• Resolve conflicts.

• Understand clients' needs.

• Make clients feel understood.

• Present new information in a receptive manner.

In my coaching sessions, I prioritize teaching proper workplace communication as it can be a game changer. Based on the positive feedback I receive, approaching workplace communication effectively can make all the difference. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds and belief systems of people in the workplace makes it easier to exercise patience when engaging with them. Clear communication can turn seemingly insurmountable challenges into manageable tasks.

In strategy sessions, I focus on communication as a crucial human skill. I discuss both verbal and non-verbal communication types to ensure thorough understanding and effective implementation. Here are four tips to improve workplace communication for increased productivity:

1. Hold regular meetings: While simple, many workplaces neglect this practice. Active listening is a vital communication skill for leaders and workers alike. Employees feel valued and appreciated when their opinions are heard, fostering a more collaborative culture. As a leader, listening to your team members allows you to understand their concerns and perspectives, ultimately improving employee engagement.

2. Seek clarification and enhance your communication style: Never assume that the other person fully understands your message. Encourage workers to clarify your instructions without fear of intimidation. Likewise, don't hesitate to ask for clarity if you're uncertain about something. Asking questions promotes a better understanding of various situations and minimizes errors. Adapting your communication style is essential for bringing out the best in your team and providing clients with exceptional service or products. Different communication platforms such as Zoom, Skype, Stream Yard, Hopin, WhatsApp, Slack, and email cater to various preferences. Determine which platforms your staff, colleagues, and clients prefer and establish a routine for communication frequency. This will help set expectations, prevent disappointment, and maintain productivity.

3. Maintain an open mind: Open-mindedness is a critical communication skill in the workplace. It allows you to enter conversations without judgment, encouraging the exchange of new ideas that could benefit the organization. If you're quick to dismiss others' opinions, they may be less inclined to share their ideas, leading to less honest and productive conversations. By keeping an open mind, you demonstrate your willingness to engage in discussions even when you initially disagree.

4. Foster empathy and emotional intelligence: Empathy and emotional intelligence are essential components of effective communication. By understanding and managing one's emotions and being sensitive to the emotions of others, leaders and employees can build stronger relationships and navigate difficult situations more effectively. Encourage team members to develop their emotional intelligence by offering training or workshops, sharing resources, or simply modeling empathetic behavior. Cultivating a workplace culture that values empathy and emotional intelligence can lead to increased collaboration, enhanced problem-solving, and higher overall job satisfaction.

Workplace communication is an indispensable aspect of any successful business or organization. Both employers and employees should continually strive to improve their communication skills to achieve the high productivity they desire. With the right approach, effective communication can be a true game changer in the workplace, fostering a collaborative environment where employees feel valued and clients are satisfied.

Next month’s “Communicate To Understand Me Better” is here to hand you the key tools that give you the skills you need to communicate more clearly. The solution is not more communication, but clearer communication. At the end of our time on Saturday, May 6, you will:

• Learn to pinpoint why you may be struggling with long-winded, rambling messages.

• Learn to make your messages crisp and compressed.

• Learn to express yourself in a clear, easy-to-follow way.

• Learn key nonverbal behaviour to look and sound more composed.

• Learn through lots of concrete examples you’ll relate to.