The power of effective communication should never be underestimated. We all communicate, all the time, whether we realise it or not, we are constantly giving out messages both verbally and non-verbally and in business communication with and between employees is crucial to the success of any organisation regardless of its size and sector.
What do the experts say?
The Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) offer some excellent insight into effective employee communication, “Communication is a critical part of employee engagement, which in turn promotes better performance, employee retention and wellbeing. Employees are more likely to engage and contribute when there’s an open organisational culture. Good employee communication enables employees to stay connected to their workplace, understand their organisation’s purpose and strategy, identify with its values, and develop a sense of belonging by understanding how they contribute to its wider purpose”.
An article in the International Journal of Business and Management entitled, “Communication, Commitment, and Trust: Exploring the Triad”, also outlines that, “trust and commitment do not just happen; they are forged and maintained through effective communication”.
Communication and performance
When communication within a business is effective employees feel involved, they know what is going on, what the plans of the business are and how they fit into those plans and what success looks like. If employees have that understanding and there is regular, effective communication around the business, the team and individual progress then performance is highly likely to improve as employees are engaged and motivated to do well. Research by the McKinsey Global Institute shows that improved communication within work teams can raise productivity and performance by 20%-25%. This increase is due to a number of factors including employees feeling more connected with each other which drives performance through enhanced team work, innovation and collaboration. Communication and performance therefore go hand in hand.
Communication and employee retention
Employees are generally happier at work when communication is good and this also leads to improved job satisfaction and retention. Staff are far more likely to stay with their employers if they know what is going on within a business and how they make a difference in the job that they do. A lack of communication creates uncertainty, rumour and misinformation and that inevitably leads to staff feeling like they would be better off working elsewhere. In the current working landscape retention is a hot topic for many businesses as the war for talent intensifies and according to an article on Pumble.com Workplace communication statistics (2021) – Knowledge hub (pumble.com) employee retention increases 4.5 times in businesses which communicate effectively with their employees when compared to those that lack effective communication.
Communication and employee wellbeing
Miscommunication and misunderstandings are at the root of many workplace issues and conflicts and these matters impact on employee wellbeing and can cause stress and anxiety. Effective, clear communication though can avoid these issues and therefore have a positive effect on employee wellbeing. Good, open communication also plays a key part in creating a healthy and vibrant workplace culture and a working environment where staff feel valued and accepted and again this leads to enhanced wellbeing. Taking communication down to a basic level of a simple person to person conversation is also really important for someone’s wellbeing. If an employee feels that they can talk to a colleague or a manager then should there be an issue with their wellbeing they are more likely to be comfortable raising it. Discussing wellbeing initiatives and benefits with employees and getting their ideas and opinions on what they would like to see in place is also an important step for businesses to take. Too many companies put programmes and interventions in place without talking to staff and then end up wasting money as staff neither want nor need them. By communicating with staff in the first place these measures are far more likely to be used as staff will see them as beneficial and something they want and value.
Ultimately, good communication creates happier staff and happier staff have better wellbeing. Staff with better wellbeing have less absence, they are more motivated and engaged, they perform better and will stay loyal to their employer. Effective communication is therefore hugely powerful for your business and it’s crucial to get it right.
Do you have any questions about today’s blog, need help in becoming legally compliant with contracts/policies or can we support you in taking away any people pains to give you peace of mind?
If you answered yes to any of the above, just give us a call at CUBE HR on 01282 678321, or book in a FREE 30 Minute HR Health Check here FREE HR Health Check and we’ll happily give your business a full HR overview with our personal recommendations absolutely FREE!
Why not also check out our blog on a similar topic The Psychology of Communication.
We also have a YouTube channel with loads of handy videos outlining various HR related scenarios.
