Organizations know that no matter what method they take – whether it be interpersonal communication, mass notifications, or even communication done over the phone or email – communication is key to their success.
Effective communication promotes organizational excellence and serves as the foundation of healthy practices in the workplace. When healthy practices are in place, businesses are able to achieve their desired objectives and outcomes for both their workforce and the community as a whole.
Communication Outcomes Organizations Seek
The two outcomes organizations seek are:
1. Top-down communication.
This is communication that occurs from management to employees. Through this outcome, managers and leaders seek to increase the use of particular workplace programs by making sure that employees are made aware of their existence and availability.
Top-down communication aims to make employees aware that there are programs within the organization that are available to them, and they are given important details on how to access and utilize these services through varied communication methods such as team meetings, newsletters, mass notifications, email and others. Through this outcome, managers and leaders show their employees that these programs are valuable and are meant to support and encourage engagement within the workforce.
2. Bottom-up communication.
This is communication that occurs from employees to management. The aim of this outcome is for staff members to be able to voice out and express their own needs, opinions and views, perceptions and values. These details can be gathered through methods such as surveys, meetings, and even face-to-face and one-on-one chats between employees and leaders. Valuable information such as previously mentioned helps companies choose and customize their policies and programs in order to meet the particular needs and wants of their workforce.
Bottom-up communication enables employees to have a voice within the organization. It allows them to feel like they truly belong to the company and team, and that they are seen as valuable contributors to the success of the business. Through this outcome, employees feel more empowered, and thus, more engaged. More engaged employees are then more committed to the company, more creative and more productive even in the long-term.
Communication Strategies for Organizational Excellence and Success
The utilization of a variety of communication channels and methods in the workplace allows members of the organization more ways to access information. Channels and methods can include mass notifications, text alerts, email, desktop wallpapers, group chats, face-to-face meetings and others. Remember that it is better to use a multitude of channels and methods in order to emphasize to your employees how much you value and give importance to promoting a workplace that is well-informed and engaged.
Leading by example encourages and inspires staff members to do as their leaders do. Key organizational leaders should visibly show their employees that they also participate in healthy workplace practices and activities.
Provide opportunities on a regular and ongoing basis to employees that allow staff members to provide feedback to management. This kind of culture builds rapport amongst all members of the company, and supports a workplace environment that promotes two-way communication.
Make the objectives and actions of management and the organization clear to all workers through different communication channels such as mass notifications, email, group chats, meetings, and others. This not only helps inform employees of the goings-on within the company, it also helps facilitate openness and transparency.
Make an assessment of the needs and wants of staff members, and allow them to be involved in the development of workplace practices that they themselves feel are healthy.
Be open about both bad and good outcomes, failures and successes to your employees. This builds a culture of transparency and truthfulness, which will enable your workforce to trust you more.
