7 min read
Communication between managers and employees can be a challenge. This article shares 6 of the best ways to open up lines of communication.
It goes without saying that communication between managers and employees is one of the most important factors of any successful business. Clear and open communication ensures everyone is on the same page about objectives, direction, and expectations. It means everyone knows where they stand.
But if there’s a blockage there, your organization is likely going to run into some problems in the future.
So, what can be done to improve communication between managers and employees? This article looks at six of the most effective ways your organization can open up clear lines of communication and start working together as a team again.
Let’s take a look.
It goes without saying that communication between managers and employees is one of the most important factors of any successful business. Clear and open communication ensures everyone is on the same page about objectives, direction, and expectations. It means everyone knows where they stand.
But if there’s a blockage there, your organization is likely going to run into some problems in the future.
So, what can be done to improve communication between managers and employees? This article looks at six of the most effective ways your organization can open up clear lines of communication and start working together as a team again.
Let’s take a look.
Manager communication is the process of passing along information, ideas, and feedback between managers and employees. Effective communication is crucial for managers to be successful in their role. It builds trust, improves performance, fosters collaboration, and helps managers make informed decisions.
There are different ways to improve communication between managers and employees, such as meeting weekly, having regular 1:1s, keeping employees informed, getting to know your manager, taking advantage of communication tools, and asking for and giving feedback.
By prioritizing clear and open communication, managers can create a more positive and productive workplace, where everyone is on the same page about objectives, direction, and expectations.
Effective communication is crucial for any manager to be successful in their role. Here are some reasons why:
When managers communicate clearly and openly with their employees, it builds trust. Employees feel valued and respected when their manager takes the time to listen to their ideas and concerns. This trust can lead to increased employee loyalty and reduced turnover.
When managers communicate expectations clearly, employees are better equipped to meet them. This can lead to improved performance and productivity. Similarly, when managers provide feedback and guidance, employees can learn and improve their skills.
Effective communication encourages collaboration between managers and employees. When everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals, it's easier to achieve success. Collaboration can lead to innovative solutions and a more positive work environment.
When managers communicate with their employees, they gain valuable insights and perspectives. This can help them make more informed decisions that are in the best interest of the company and its employees.
Managers who prioritize communication are more likely to be successful in their roles. By building trust, improving performance, fostering collaboration, and making informed decisions, managers can create a positive and productive workplace.
Getting together as a team on a regular basis is one of the best ways to create a professional environment in which all team members feel comfortable communicating with each other. Weekly team meetings in particular can help break down any communication barriers between managers and employees by giving each team member an opportunity to talk openly about some of the following topics:
Because communicating in groups can be difficult for some people, a good manager should create additional avenues of communication for their employees. The regularly held 1:1 meeting offers the perfect space for more direct conversation between managers and employees, and it’s also a great way to learn about each other’s preferred communication style (more on this later).
Depending on your workplace, 1:1 meetings can take the form of a quick informal chat about projects and ideas, or it can be more structured and formal. Whichever form yours takes, keep in mind that this is your opportunity to connect and collaborate with your employee or manager. It’s a chance to vent concerns, figure out solutions, and have a frank conversation about work (or anything else important to your employee).
This tip is specifically for managers. Since good communication relies upon everybody being in the loop, one of the best things you can do is communicate what’s happening at the company with your employees.
Sound too obvious? As it turns outs, a lot of employees feel like they’re disconnected from decisions made by management. One study shows that up to 25% of employees who quit their jobs did so because they felt like they were kept in the dark. Here are some more troubling findings:
And this one is for the employees out there. It’s pretty simple: get to know your manager. Some people tend to think of their managers as unapproachable, infallible, scary people. But your manager is a person, too. And if they do seem unapproachable, getting to know them is one way to make them open up.
It’s the 21st century and there are a number of tools that are designed to improve workplace communication. Whether it’s a chat app, an intranet, or something else entirely, taking advantage of the right tool can go a long way towards improving how you communicate with your manager or employees.
This is where a person’s communication style comes into play.
Some people prefer informal written communication (chat discussions, etc.) in the workplace, others prefer direct face-to-face discussions, and still others prefer a combination of the two depending on the situation. A communication tool like a news stream, for instance, provides one additional option for communicating project objectives, expectations, voicing concerns, or giving props.
The majority of employees (and managers) are unsure about how they’re performing in their role. This can have a tremendous impact on self-confidence, and subsequently how open and direct they are in their communication.
One potential solution to this problem is to regularly ask for (and give) feedback on performance. Did your manager help you out with a problem that’s been eating away at you? Give them a shout out in your next weekly meeting. Did your employees outdo themselves on a project? Tell them so.
The same goes for negative feedback. Is an employee not performing up to expectations? Explain how they might overcome that challenge. Is a manager neglecting the team? They should be open to hearing if that’s the case.
And if this isn’t already a common practice at your workplace, you can always introduce it to your leadership team.
Improving communication between managers and employees is one of the most important steps your company can take towards creating a move cohesive and collaborative workplace. Break down those barriers, clear out the blockages, and start communicating openly and freely!
Read more by
Corey Moseley
Jostle’s employee success platform is where everyone connects, communicates, and celebrates at work. Find out more at jostle.me. © 2009–2023 Jostle Corporation. All rights reserved.
