The sole core of every organization is internal communication. It helps you build a strong team, spread organizational values and goals, as well as convey important messages within the team. Without solid communication in your company, processes and procedures can be chaotic. So, how can you create a communication strategy that will transform your team?
With a clear communication strategy, you’re one step closer to reaching your business objectives. To do so, you need to create a plan and build a long-lasting strategy that will help your team achieve the goals. Here are tips and guides on creating an amazing internal communication strategy that can transform your team for the better.
1. Detect potential communication problems
Let’s face it, communication problems appear now and then, even in the best teams. Misunderstandings happen, and conflict arises. As a manager, it’s up to you to detect the problems and potential issues in communication, prevent them, if possible, or overcome them. But this task isn’t easy. What are some of the most efficient ways to help you detect communication problems?
A decrease in productivity and efficiency can be the main cue that something is going on in the team. A tense atmosphere and minor conflicts may result in worse collaboration and slower progress. So, try to look for clues to your team members’ behavior. If you notice situations that might cause problems, try to solve and overcome them before they negatively influence your team’s work.
2. Be available for suggestions
The next big step in creating a communication strategy is being able to listen. One of the main issues in teams is that leaders often don’t value employees’ opinions and ideas, which leads to job dissatisfaction and bad communication. To prevent and minimize problems like that, be open to suggestions and feedback.
Communication is a two-way process, which means that you have to actively listen to your employees as much as they have to listen to you! Once you’re willing to accept feedback, suggestions, and ideas that don’t match up to your ideals, you’re transforming your team’s communication.
3. Lead by example
We spend most of our lives learning by observing. In situations where we don’t know how to act or react, we observe what other people do. This helps us understand socially acceptable behavior and stick to it. Similar can be applied to communication. So, if you want your team to communicate effectively, you need to demonstrate it yourself!
You can’t expect your employees to follow the rules if you don’t do it yourself. By leading by example, you’re developing your skills as well as building your employees’ communication skills. Demonstrate proper, pleasant, and engaging workplace communication. That is one of the best ways to help introverts build communication skills!
4. Implement an intranet
The Internet is one of the pivotal aspects of HR. It helps your employees stay informed and find all the information, files, and forms they need for their jobs. Sadly, not many companies use the magnificent benefits of the intranet. Even though it provides a wide range of different perks for the employees, what does it have to do with internal communication?
Firstly, an intranet makes it easier to find the files and forms you need to fill out without bothering HR. On top of that, these types of websites increase workplace engagement, as well as spread the word about the company culture. Lastly, it provides better collaboration and connectivity to the remote teams, as they feel like a part of the workplace.
5. Improved internal messaging
When talking about communication, we mustn’t neglect the verbal one. Whether you’re talking face to face, virtually over a video call, or text messaging, you’re building trust and bond with your employees. However, most of these means of conveying a message aren’t fast enough, professional, or up-to-date. So, how can you improve internal messaging within your team?
Create a tailored internal communication strategy that suits the context and your team. Pick an app or a platform that is safe and easy to use. Keep in mind that it should be useful for both frontline workers and the others. On top of that, it’s a great way of sending important information through, keeping your employees informed and engaged, and productive during the day.
6. Evaluation and follow-up
The last step of every intervention is evaluation and follow-up. When it comes to implementing an internal communication strategy, you need to have records of previous strategies and data after you’ve implemented the new one. It can help you see the improvement in results and notice the transformation of your team.
On top of that, follow-up allows your team members to give their own thoughts and ideas about the communication strategy. They can also suggest ways of improving it. This leads to a more open and happier team ready to cooperate and work together.
Final thoughts
Every change in the organization can be extremely stressful for the employees. So, try to ease them into the process of change, and highlight the benefits straight away. Once they get used to the new communication strategy, you’ll notice the improvement, which will influence the entire team!
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