10 Keys For Healthy Communication – Workplace Communication

Ensuring healthy communication in the workplace boosts productivity and employee morale.

Communication is an exchange of information between people. It may be with an entire team or only between two people, but the key is, that it is an exchange–it is bi-directional. Something is transmitted and something is received. Communication includes spoken, written and body language.

Does Your Company employ these Healthy Communication essentials?

1. A Voice — If there is to be honest communication, everyone must have a voice–a right to speak and to be heard. This is important in team meetings and in one-on-one exchanges.

2. Expectations — Setting expectations is a means of telling people what you need and want so that they have the best probable chance of accommodating you.

3. Information Flow — Information flow is critical in any organization. When information is on again–off again or cut off all together, something is broken. Set up flow processes to keep everyone in check and responsible for their part.

4. Information Accuracy — When bad information is passed, it can spread like a virus and be very damaging. Encourage the routine use of checks and balances at all levels of the organization.

5. Ban Exclusivity — If one person is doing the majority of talking in meetings or the environment only caters to a select few, inspiration and motivation will remain stunted. Managers should observe and guide group dynamics for maximum productivity.

6. Body Language — People can speak volumes without uttering a word. Management can set expectations by addressing this in staff meetings. Hostile, apathetic or inappropriate negative vibes make for a toxic environment and drag down morale. Workplace respect is crucial.

7. Get Real — Whether it’s false or misleading information, ugly-spirited gossip or inappropriate jesting, it’s not wise or healthy for any organization. Communication should serve the best interests of the people and mission of the company–adding to the health and success of the whole.

8. Same Page — When workers are not on the same page, they lose the essential element of mutual understanding. Don’t waste time and energy by overlooking this critical point and frustrating your employees or confusing your objectives.

If you have someone on your team who is de-motivated it might be that you are not providing enough flexibility or that you have not explained the procedures in enough detail. Just try talking to them in a different way and you might find their attitude changes for the better