If you ask employees about what causes them problems, it’s no surprise that communication will be one of the primary reasons. However, what do we mean when we say communication needs to improve in the workplace?

86% of employees lack effective communication and collaboration at the workplace. Research shows that this is a major issue amongst many organisations, but the good news is that it can be solved.

In this article, we will discuss more on the strategies you can implement to improve workplace communication.

What are the four methods of communication?

The effectiveness of communication strategies will depend on several factors, but without knowing which are the four methods of communication, you can’t go any further than this. There are numerous methods of communication individuals try to use for exchanging information with one another. However, remember that the four methods of communication will help you clarify many uncertainties you have. Here they are:

Verbal communication: The most common method of communication used amongst teams and organizations. This type of communication method is when information is verbally exchanged. Verbal communication involves an individual transmitting information by speaking words and transmitting them in a pattern of sounds, where the receiving person or people will need to listen to process the information.

Written communication: Another form of communication used to distribute information in symbols and words on paper, documents, or other similar material. The receiving individual/individuals will need to read the information to understand it.

Non-verbal communication: This type of communication includes transmitting information using postures, gestures, facial expressions and more. Individuals can transmit information with visual cues, such as body language, eye contact and more.

Visual communication: Includes drawings, illustrations, pictures, graphics and more. Visual communication is widespread during a team meeting online. It’s a modern method of communication.

10 Strategies for improving workplace communication

Don’t forget to listen

Listening is the most powerful tool to advance further in your business. Have you ever spoken to someone and felt bad when you realised they weren’t actively listening? The same story is for employees who never feel heard at the workplace.

Active listening is truly listening, and when someone is talking, listen to the following:

Listen to the what: The words they are saying.

Listen to the how: The tone of voice and body language they are using.

Listen to the what else: What they were trying to say, but maybe they didn’t feel comfortable doing so at that moment. That isn’t the only part of active listening. An active listener will try to understand what the speaker is saying fully. For example, if they don’t understand a certain part, they won’t act as if they understood but will ask questions to clarify it fully.

Use the power of technology

Regardless if you are working remotely or at an office, having the proper communication tools is an important part of your strategy and something you should take quite seriously. Sometimes, finding the right communication platform for your team may be tricky, so we are here to show you what’s the best fit.

Using the right communication software makes it easy to create an environment where people follow up with each other, sharing their ideas and finishing projects and tasks.

Many businesses will move online communication to email and leave it with that much. However, communicating with emails isn’t the only way to communicate effectively. Why should you wait long periods to receive an email reply?

Alternatively, you can use communication platforms to communicate faster with your team. The most commonly used platforms are:

• Slack
• LinkedIn
• Discord
• Trello
• Flock
• Slite

Using the right tone

Your tone will represent how your audience perceives you. The clarity of your tone, your manner of speaking, the type of language you use, your flow, are all part of good communication. Everyone has their unique tone, but it’s important to be yourself with your team. Once you are, your tone will naturally flow.

Train new employees

Training new employees is beneficial for your business and improves communication levels at the workplace. New employees will feel recognized and upskilled because of this. Training is what clarifies uncertainties for newcomers and what makes them not ask you the same question every day.

Moreover, effective communication should be part of your training program. Who loves anything more than to be a skilful person in business? The communication methods differ from company to company, but it’s your responsibility to put this into practice for the best results and the good of your team.

Not to forget that 70% of employees leave a company because they see no future. Providing them with training improves communication levels and paves the way for a better future for the company and its employees.

Establish regular meetings

Another effective communication method is meeting regularly with your team. Regular meetings give space for you to meet with your team and collaborate. If you work remotely, you can consider establishing video conferences to allow everyone to meet face-to-face. Audio calls are okay, but not a good idea at the beginning.

Video conferences allow you to see facial expressions and body language, so everyone can understand how something is communicated. Additionally, if you want to save your meetings, you can record them for your team members who couldn’t attend the conferences during this time.

Leave space for two-way feedback

If you want your working environment to be as smooth as possible, you need to promote two-way communication. In the workplace, two-way communication is just as important for generating results. Encouraging two-way feedback is an excellent communication method in the workplace, giving your team a chance to evaluate themselves and you.

A common mistake among many managers is not allowing employees to present their own concerns and comments. Give detailed feedback and coach your team members. Moreover, you can keep written records to ensure that your task management system increases productivity and communication.

Use visuals

Visuals are much easier to process than presenting a whole bunch of information. Unsurprisingly, every effective communication strategy will present many visuals in their presentations.

Visuals break down any complex ideas you have, especially when you are presenting them in front of a large number of people. Additionally, visuals are more engaging for audiences rather than including large blocks of text.

In fact, 74% of marketers will incorporate their visual elements in 70% of their content because they find it easier to explain compared to only using text.

Remember that you can’t even set up the proper marketing strategy without communication.

Encourage one-on-one meetings

You will never get to know someone on a deeper level if all of your meetings are only together. Each employee has a different personality and it’s not a bad idea to meet them one-on-one to get to know them better.

Sometimes, there may be a personal concern from the employee and meeting them one-on-one is the only way to address it. After all, you can’t always clarify everything when in public.

Don’t forget about your body language

Body language is mostly non-verbal communication and represents 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal and 7% word communication. It makes a significant difference in ensuring effective communication when speaking. You might encounter several issues if you don’t know how to use body language.

The movement of your eyes, body, feet, the way you sit, and many other movements will represent your body language. For example, it won’t look ethical if you put your feet on the table and communicate. These are movements you should avoid at all times.

Know who you are speaking to

It’s important to always differentiate who you are presenting to. Communicating with your team and with another audience is not the same. You need to know who your audience is and what they expect to learn from you. You already know what you want to say, but your audience doesn’t.

You don’t want to bore your audience to death with analytical charts, so make everything simple. Talk about trends, high-converting clients, and your audience’s pain points. After all, everybody listens to someone else to get a solution from them. There’s nothing different from that.

Why you should never leave communication behind

Communication is the core element of running a business and if you don’t have it, things only get harder. Communication is what clarifies uncertainties and what builds a much healthier work environment. Without it, there may be many misunderstandings and it can result in a negative work environment.

It only takes one person to spread negative energy; if you don’t communicate, you can’t solve the problem.