Open communication in the workplace should be encouraged. On the one hand it is a byproduct of inclusion. On the other hand, it is also a way to foster inclusion. The workplace transforms when open communication is the status quo.
Many adverse and uncomfortable situations can be avoided when employees are inspired to practice sincere and honest conversations in the workplace. Are all workplaces conducive to open communication?
As an answer, I will use my last place of employment as an example. I worked in a middle school as a teacher. The immediate supervisor or boss for teachers is always the principal of the school. Like all supervisors or bosses, school principals tend to concentrate on the goal of meeting the needs of the students.
Students in a school equate to customers for any other type of business and sincerity is at the heart of effectively communicating with customers. This open communication needs to begin with employees who are encouraged to openly communicate with each other.
The employees of a school consist of guidance counselors, teachers, assistant administrators, security guards, cafeteria staff, and janitorial staff. In the midst of these employees are the students and not to mention parents who are often present.
All employees are not in the same place at the same time performing the same tasks, but all should have one goal. Thus, deliberate effort has to be made to encourage open communication in a school even though it is a different kind of workplace.
I believe that all workplaces are conducive to open communication and all places of employment can benefit from a climate of open and sincere conversations. It is only through talking to others that people can develop an understanding and appreciation for each other’s differences.
Establishing a workplace where all feel safe and comfortable being themselves is vital. Honest conversations and interchanges provide for personal growth and enrichment. People who communicate openly with each other learn to be supportive of one another. The result? A more inclusive workplace.
Companies around the world can face serious repercussions if they lack open communication in the workplace. Or if they don’t have standard channels or processes in place for employees to give and receive honest feedback.
The Need for Honest and Open Communication in the Workplace
Good communication is the secret ingredient for a successful and high performing team. It fosters a warmer workplace culture, improves employee morale, and inspires excellent job performance. It is also a forerunner to inclusion in a place of employment. As the saying goes, ‘no man is an island,’ but getting off a personal island of non-communication takes effort from both employers and employees. Open communication fulfils the need for belonging and being valued.
Below are 8 simple ways to instill honest and open communication in the workplace:
Strive towards a Culture of Honest and Open Communication in the Workplace
When it comes to developing and maintaining a culture of honest and sincere conversations, it is important to make deliberate and repeated efforts as often as possible.
Sharing ideas or speaking up about feelings should never be forbidden. When employees are encouraged to share their ideas, ambitions, and concerns openly, they enjoy a greater sense of purpose, which ultimately results in higher employee engagement and lower turnover.
As a manager, it is wise to not only possess, but also practice effective communication skills in the workplace. Avoid displaying a judgmental attitude. Make the employees feel comfortable no matter how trivial their complaints may seem. Model the behavior you want people to follow.
The more honest the communication, the higher the chances of building a strong relationship that has trust as its foundation.
Conduct Anonymous Surveys
Oftentimes, employees are hesitant to speak up or share their feedback with their managers. This is an excellent opportunity to allow the phenomenon of anonymity to come into play.
The anonymous feature facilitates effective communication in the workplace and saves the employees from being vulnerable and overly-transparent. It also discourages retaliation.
Digital tools can also be used to receive honest feedback.
Be Diligent
Rather than relying solely on annual reviews to communicate with your employees, conduct one-on-one feedback sessions monthly to stay up to date about employees’ views. Share management’s intentions and goals for improving the work environment.
Continuously reinforce employee strengths and provide assistance in overcoming any weaknesses. Face-to-face communication is much more effective, since oftentimes email messages can be misunderstood or missed altogether. When face-to-face conversation is not possible a phone call works well.
Master Your Body language to Establish Effective Communication in the Workplace
The way you communicate in the workplace directly influences the quality of relationships you form. About 60-75% of our communication is non-verbal, which is a clear reminder that it is not only the words that matter, but the nonverbal cues given.
So, make sure that body language is open and approachable. Maintain an upright posture, keep arms uncrossed, put devices away, make eye contact, and most importantly, smile!
Try The One Up, One Down Exercise
The “One Up, One Down” exercise is one where each member of the team reveals one thing he or she appreciated about a meeting or feedback session, and one thing that has room for improvement.
This exercise is a wonderful way to gather honest feedback and help the presenter to learn and address issues on the spot. While this exercise can be done privately, it is also a good idea to have this type of conversation in front of everyone so as to nurture workplace transparency.
Go for Informal Social Outings
Whether it is a picnic lunch, a trip to a theme park or a local bowling alley, get-together outside the workplace are an opportunity to loosen up. Such outings allow employees to share their views without any fear.
Hold 360-Degree Reviews
A 360-degree review can allow for unimpeded growth and provide tremendous opportunities to gain new or improved mindsets. Inviting a licensed professional to conduct 360-degree reviews, discuss feedback, and offer positive advice can be an excellent way to improve communication in the workplace.
Actively Listen to Your Employees
In order to facilitate open communication in the workplace, the views and opinions of all staff members should be regarded as valuable.
Listening is undoubtedly a very powerful communication skill. It is only by active listening that one can clearly demonstrate having heard what was said.
Instead of rapidly firing back a personal opinion, a good practice is to take a slight pause and repeat back what the other person has said. This will ensure that the employee’s views were heard exactly as they were meant to be.
It is also useful to acknowledge the other person’s emotions; not only verbally, but also with facial expressions.
“Collaboration is a key part of the success of any organization, executed through a clearly defined vision and mission and based on transparency and constant communication.
—Dinesh Paliwal
