Poor Communication Skills Cause Many Business Problems
Most of us are poorer managers than we think we are. Communication is the area where many managers stumble. Communication breakdowns, it’s always the same ... excuse the Led Zeppelin, but poor communication reduces performance and can increase accidents. Here are tips to improve communication in your firm.
Keep employees informed
The top complaint of most employees is feeling left out of the loop. Even when news is bad, if possible, tell your employees. They would rather know the truth and prepare for the worst than not know the truth and get blindsided.
"Just say no" sometimes is not enough
Employees can make outrageous demands and we use one word: "No." When demands are ridiculous, that may be reasonable. However, many employees make demands they feel are reasonable only to hear a resounding "No." It only takes a few seconds longer to explain why you declined a specific request. This explanation, once the employee understands your reasoning, may well end the matter.
If you refuse without an explanation, employees may become resentful and perhaps subconsciously self-sabotage projects. They may complaint to co-workers, who often take sides. It is never a management malfunction to explain why you say "No."
Never underestimate the grapevine
While you may think you guard secrets well, never underestimate the power of employee perception and the office grapevine. Employees are much more intuitive than we give them credit for and often know, if not exactly what is happening, that change is in the air. Certain employees with strong networks throughout the organization are often the seat of "unofficial" communication.
And because knowledge is power, employees will work hard to gain information, one way or another. Rather than try to eliminate gossip and innuendo, communicate frequently and openly. Employees appreciate candor.
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Don’t wait for performance reviews to give feedback
Just like you don’t like being blindsided, neither do your employees. Many managers fail to help employees make "corrections to course." Small adjustments in behavior when problems occur rather than requesting big changes when small problems escalate can help keep employees happier and more productive. No one likes to hear they did something wrong two months later. Take time to provide your employees with consistent feedback.
Don’t forget to praise good work and safe practices
Most of us are too quick to criticize and too slow to praise. Practice "catching an employee doing something right," as one loss prevention manager told me years ago. We all appreciate and thrive on praise.
Ensure your employees restate what you said
Don’t assume your employees, or other managers for that matter, are good listeners. Most of us are not. Ask your employees to repeat what you said to ensure they understand what you want. Too often, we assume others understand what we want when we are unclear. Use active listening skills to ensure you understand and are understood.
Understand the emotions under the words
Often, employees are frustrated at things that have little to do with the grievances they list. With many employees facing problems at home and an economic squeeze, their frustrations at work may actually arise from their personal problems. Take a few extra minutes to determine if that angry employee is actually mad at you, a coworker, or is simply overwhelmed with life.
We all think we are stronger communicators than we are. These communication tips may help you avert that next big business problem.
