Communication has always been an integral part of human lives. It helps us address day-to-day problems, build strong relationships, and overcome life challenges. Whether it’s about managing employee conflicts or simply addressing a group of people in a meeting, effective communication is an indispensable necessity of human civilization.
Especially, when we talk about the workplace, then it becomes very crucial for the managers to have proper communication with their team. As a little miscommunication can lead to a lot of trouble. So, it is always advisable to follow the strategic approach while handling employee conflicts at the workplace. And this can only be done by having proper communication with the co-workers.
But how does one achieve this? Is there a specific tactic to follow? Not necessarily. It all depends on your managerial skills and ability to handle workplace conflicts.
Why is Communication Important in the Workplace?
The workplace is where we spend most of our time. Whether it’s asking a co-worker for help or requesting time off from a manager, everything involves communication. From top-level to bottom-level management, effective communication is a necessity. The absence of proper communication can lead to confusion in the workplace, resulting in frustration and a loss of trust between employees and managers. Therefore, ensuring a smooth flow of communication within the workplace is crucial for an organization’s overall growth and success.
How can I improve communication in the workplace as a manager?
Being in a managerial position is not an easy task, as it comes with significant responsibilities. These responsibilities include addressing employee grievances while ensuring a smooth workflow, providing clear instructions on how work should be done, and making proactive decisions— even if it means laying off employees and bring the best ones in. Whatever may be the case, having a proper communication is essential for managers to keep the work flow as smooth as possible. Here is how you can go about it.
1) Actively listen to your employees when they speak
When an employee approaches you with work-related issues, it’s essential to listen actively and, if possible, keep a record. Then, create a clear action plan to address and resolve their workplace challenges. Show empathy and provide constructive feedback to help them enhance their performance and meet project deadlines.
2) Build genuine relation
When an employee makes a mistake, it’s important to be honest and direct rather than concealing their mistakes out of fear of offense or concerns about future interactions. Giving relevant feedback to your employees, even when it’s challenging, should be done in an empathetic and constructive manner. Be strict at times and light-hearted the next. You must balance both roles. Be diplomatic and strategic when the situation calls for it, as these are the must have skill that every manager should incorporate in their lives—if they really care about their organization and employees growth.
3) Emotional Intelligence
A manager with higher emotional intelligence is not only beneficial for the organization but for the employees mental health too. Why do I mention mental health? Because, a manager with lack of EQ won’t be able to figure out how an employee is feeling at the moment, and what he or she genuinely wants or aspires to be. But, a manager with a higher EQ make a deeper connection with the employees, asking them what their dreams are, what their future plans are, and how they’re going achieve their personal and professional goals. This is how a wise manager builds strong relationships with their employees by understanding their true motivations and planning accordingly.
4) Regular Feedback
Another major responsibility of every manager is to give constructive feedback to their employees. This involves addressing performance issues, punctuality concerns, difficulties meeting company SLAs, and evaluating behavior, attitude, and commitment to the job. Constructive feedback is always better than candid feedbacks, as constructive feedbacks keeps peace in between both the parties, and help them to come to the required solution. Therefore, regular feedbacks are utmost important as far as employees retention and organizations growth is concerned.
5) Lead by Example
Reaching a managerial position isn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder; it’s a testament to the unique qualities the individual possesses. So, if you’ve reached to that level, then it’s your responsibility to take your people towards the common objective, and helping them achieve a healthy work-life balance. You’ll have to make sure that you’re not only just focussing on your own interests, but your team goals too.
As they’re somewhat attached to you or I would say, they are quite dependent on you, because you’re acting as a guiding force, you’ve to guide them how to proceed ahead, how to drive business forward as one without being egoist and mean—thinking about only yourself and your needs. You have to become a source of inspiration for them, someone they can count on when the going gets tough.
Moreover, communicate properly with your teammates what your next strategy is and how it is going to boost the organization’s growth 10x, and simultaneously yours too. Lead them as you want to lead yourself. In case you struggle to convey a message to your co-workers, working on your communication skills is a wise step. Improving communication skills is the key to unlocking your employees’ potential, propelling them toward success while maintaining work ethics and quality.
Conclusion
With great power comes great responsibility. Period! The same holds true in the corporate world. Managers are the key to businesses, as their role is not just limited to guiding and leading the workforce but also helping them grow as men of value. And it can only happen by improving communication in the workplace. As necessity is the mother of invention, Likewise, communication is a necessity to keep employees engaged and motivated towards organizational and professional development.