The Power of Effective Communication
Poor communication is one of the top complaints from employees, but it’s also one of the greatest opportunities for leaders to build trust, reduce stress, and boost performance.
This WTT Partner Contribution comes from Reward Gateway | Edenred, a WTT Partner, sharing new research and practical steps to strengthen communication in the workplace.
Based on the frequency of “poor communication” being top of the list of employee complaints, we know it is the root of much frustration and stress. In a report launching today, Reward Gateway | Edenred shares that 30% of employees would leave their job for a lack of clear, honest communication. On the flip side, they found 80% of employees trust their organization more when communication is transparent. Grammerly’s State of Business Communication also found effective communication can lead to a 64% boost in productivity, a 51% rise in customer satisfaction, and a 49% improvement in employee confidence.
Practical Tips for Implementing Strong Organizational Communication
Implementing effective communication practices doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here are some practical tips to help you get started:
Use Your Time Wisely: Shift your focus from mundane tasks to strategic initiatives by repurposing existing content and using a wider group of authors. This allows you to invest time in building relationships and supporting new audiences.
Reinforce Managers’ Role: When asked how they want to hear from managers, the top choice across generations was for in-person one-on-one meetings. Work with managers to ensure these meetings (or the closest reasonable equivalent) happen. Make the most of these meetings by regularly sharing key messages to be reinforced in one-on-one meetings.
Build Managers’ Communication Skills: Reward Gateway | Edenred found 46% of employees say having a great relationship with their manager is more important than a 10% pay raise, but only 51% of employees feel listened to by their managers. Invest in training programs that enhance managers' ability to listen to employee needs and share corporate messages effectively.
Make Communication Data-Driven: “Improving communication” is a common need but can feel like an impossible task. Track engagement metrics to monitor small improvements and continuously improve your communication strategies. Listening to employee feedback and adjusting accordingly can significantly enhance your communication efforts.
Want to dive in more? Download the full report, Bridging the Communications Gap here.
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