Boss’s Communication: A few years ago, I was given the assignment to train 18 salespeople at a large IT distributor for three hours. The topic was how to communicate and perform in their booth at a trade show. I got a little worried when I couldn’t get hold of the sales manager in advance. I called him, left messages, emailed…He did not respond. “He must be extremely busy,” I thought.
Once I got there, only 12 of the 18 salespeople showed up. Perhaps they had an emergency? Yet the sales manager was there, and he seemed calm – sitting apart from the others, setting up his laptop, and getting stuck into his emails. As I recall, he didn’t welcome me or introduce me to the team. That was strange…but still ok.
So I started by introducing myself, the purpose, and the topics of the three hours. So far, so good. Then I said, “Since we only have three hours, it would be good if you could put your phones in flight mode – switch them to silent.”
The sales manager looked up for the first time and exclaimed in a loud voice: “No, you will NOT! Customers come first. This is just something extra.”
My authority and mandate went out the window. Half of the gang immediately began to fiddle with their phones. During a short break, those people disappeared for good. Six ambitious salespeople remained the whole time. Guess who performed best at the exhibition?
I once read this in a study: Of 55 factors determining an employee’s engagement – 37 depend on the manager’s behavior! The immediate boss affects more people, more strongly, than others do. They look at him/her and copy what he/she is doing. This is how a culture is created.
Professional Life Experience
This was one of the hardest experiences I’ve had in my professional life. Recently I got an email from that same company. A newcomer to their marketing department asked me if I could train their stand staff. She didn’t know the history. I called her up and said, “I am willing to train your staff if the same sales manager is forbidden to join in.” She said she would get back to me.
I haven’t heard anything since, and I am not sad about it.
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Importance of communication in the workplace
Good communication is essential for the success of any organization. It helps to build relationships, foster understanding and trust, and enable collaboration. Effective communication can also help to resolve conflict and improve morale.
However, communication is not always easy. It can be challenging to get your message across clearly, especially if you are dealing with people from different cultures or with different levels of seniority. It is also easy to make assumptions about what others understand or to underestimate the importance of non-verbal communication.
Tips to help you communicate effectively in the workplace
Here are some tips to help you communicate effectively in the workplace:
1. Make sure your message is clear and concise
When you are communicating with someone, make sure that your message is clear and concise. Think about what you want to say and how you can say it is the most straightforward way possible.
2. Listen to understand
It is just as important to listen as it is to speak. When someone else is talking, try to really understand their point of view. Pay attention to their body language and tone of voice, as well as the words they are using.
3. Be respectful
Respect is essential in any relationship, and this includes workplace relationships. Avoid making assumptions or passing judgment on others. Instead, try to see things from their perspective and show that you value their opinions.
4. Avoid conflict
If there is a disagreement, try to find a way to resolve it without resorting to conflict. This might mean compromising or seeking help from a third party.
5. Be aware of cultural differences
If you are working with people from different cultures, be aware of the potential for misunderstanding. Different cultures have different ways of communicating, and what is considered polite in one culture might be considered rude in another. Try to learn about the communication styles of different cultures and adjust your own style accordingly.
6. Use non-verbal communication
Non-verbal communication includes body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. It can be just as important as verbal communication and can help to clarify or emphasize a message.
7. Seek feedback
If you are not sure whether your message has been understood, ask for feedback. This can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and can avoid misunderstandings later on.
8. Be open to feedback
Feedback is a two-way process, so be open to receiving it as well as giving it. Feedback can be helpful in improving your communication skills, so try to take it on board and use it to make positive changes.
9. Communicate regularly
Regular communication is essential in any relationship, including workplace relationships. Make sure to keep lines of communication open and check in with others on a regular basis.
10. Take time to communicate
Communication is not always easy, and it can take time to get it right. Don’t be afraid to slow down and take the time to really think about what you want to say. The extra effort will pay off in improved understanding and better relationships.
How to create a culture that encourages communication in both directions
In order for communication to be effective, it needs to flow in both directions. That is, there should be a culture of communication in which people feel comfortable both speaking and listening.
There are a number of things you can do to create such a culture:
Encourage open communication
Make it clear that you value communication and create an environment in which people feel comfortable speaking up. Encourage open dialogue, and be open to hearing both positive and negative feedback.
Foster a culture of respect
Respect is essential for effective communication. Show respect for others, and encourage them to do the same. Avoid making assumptions or passing judgment, and try to see things from different points of view.
Promote active listening
Active listening is a key communication skill. It involves not just hearing what someone is saying but also trying to understand their point of view. Encourage people to really listen to each other and to ask questions if they are unclear about something.
How to Communicate With Your Boss
Your boss is an important person in your life, and effective communication is essential to maintaining a good relationship. Here are some tips on how to communicate with your boss:
Keep your boss updated on your work. Make sure to keep your boss in the loop on all of your projects and tasks. This will help them stay informed on your progress and give them the opportunity to provide feedback or offer assistance when needed.
Be respectful. Always show respect to your boss, even if you do not agree with them. This will go a long way in maintaining a good relationship.
Listen attentively. When your boss is speaking, make sure to give them your full attention. This shows that you value their input and are interested in what they have to say.
How organizational culture impacts communication at the workplace
Organizational culture has a huge impact on communication in the workplace. The way employees communicate with each other and with management is strongly influenced by the organization’s culture. A positive, open, and supportive culture encourage employees to communicate openly and candidly with each other and with management. This type of communication promotes trust, collaboration, and a sense of shared purpose. In contrast, a negative or hostile culture can make employees reluctant to communicate openly and candidly. This can lead to mistrust, conflict, and a feeling of being isolated and alone.
Organizational culture is also a powerful influence on the way information is communicated within the workplace. A culture of openness and transparency promotes the free flow of information and allows employees to make informed decisions. A culture of secrecy and exclusion, on the other hand, can create an environment of fear and intimidation, where employees are reluctant to share information or ask questions.
The way organizational culture affects communication can have a big impact on the overall effectiveness of the organization. Organizations with positive, open cultures are more likely to be successful in achieving their goals and objectives. They are also more likely to attract and retain top talent. In contrast, organizations with negative or hostile cultures are more likely to experience high levels of turnover and may have difficulty attracting and retaining skilled employees.
The Power of Good Communication in the Workplace
In the workplace, communication is key to maintaining productivity and morale. Good communication can help prevent misunderstandings, boost team morale, and increase productivity. Poor communication, on the other hand, can lead to conflict, frustration, and inefficiency.
Why Every Employee at Your Company Should Have Communications Training
In today’s business world, effective communication is more important than ever. With the rise of email and other digital communication tools, it’s easy for messages to get lost in translation or misinterpreted. That’s why it’s essential that every employee at your company has communications training.
With communications training, employees will learn how to communicate effectively with co-workers, customers, and clients. They’ll also learn how to handle difficult conversations, resolve conflict, and give feedback.
Communications training can help your company in a number of ways. It can improve employee morale, increase productivity, and reduce turnover. It can also help you build better relationships with your customers and clients.
Communication between managers and employees
Employees and managers must be able to communicate effectively in order to ensure that the workplace runs smoothly. Unfortunately, this is not always easy to do. Different people have different communication styles, and these can clash. In addition, when emotions are running high, it can be difficult to keep a conversation calm and constructive.
Conclusion
Communication is key in any workplace, but especially so when it comes to the boss-employee relationship. The tips we’ve shared should help you communicate effectively with your boss and create a company culture that encourages communication in both directions. If you want more information on how organizational culture impacts communication at the workplace or need help implementing communications training for your employees, contact us today. We specialize in creating effective workplace communication strategies and can help make your business run smoother than ever before.
Also Read: Leading Hybrid & Virtual Teams
