How Effective Communication Can Boost Employee Engagement and Performance

As the world of work goes digital and becomes more dispersed, establishing effective communication is not only more complex but also more crucial than ever. Effective communication is a vital component of any successful organization, enabling employees to feel heard, valued, and connected to their colleagues and the company's mission.

In this article, we will delve into the importance of effective employee communication in the workplace, the impact it has on employee engagement, and the best practices for implementing internal communication and feedback loops in today's evolving work landscape.

The Importance of Effective Employee Communication in the Workplace

Communication is the thread through which we interact with one another. Both at home and at work, effective communication is the foundation of a positive environment and the key to building trust and respect. Communication is so important that it can make or break relationships.

In the workplace, when communication is clear and there is trust within a team, employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns, and they are more likely to collaborate and even innovate. On the other hand, when communication is poor or ambivalent, it can lead to confusion, frustration, and resentment. Employees may feel undervalued or unappreciated, resulting in decreased productivity, absenteeism, and turnover.

The Impact of Effective Communication on Employee Engagement and Performance

When employees feel like they are part of a team and are working towards a common goal, they are more invested in their work, more likely to take ownership of their tasks, and be proactive. Effective communication has a significant impact on employee engagement and performance. 

Clear communication also helps align employees and employers on roles, responsibilities, goals, and expectations. It smoothens the employee experience for individual contributors as well as managers because strong alignment means milestones are met and, consequently, work trust is built.

Moreover, these collective successes foster strong bonds among coworkers and instill a sense of shared purpose, as everyone works collaboratively towards the same goals.

5 Ways to Use Internal Communication to Boost Employee Engagement

Meeting, huddle, or chat message?

Meetings can be a hot topic in the corporate world, because let's face it, many of us have felt like they're a waste of time when a quick Slack message could have done the trick. However, in the era of remote work where we miss seeing our teammates' faces, relying solely on chat can lead to losing that intangible personal connection.

It's important to define what constitutes a meaningful team meeting, a quick video huddle, or a simple message, and agree with your team to optimize communication and productivity.

More than just an open-door policy.

The open-door policy is a topic that can be contentious in the workplace, thanks to inauthentic practices that exist. It's important to recognize that it's not just about having a policy in place, but rather building a culture of trust and open, honest communication. The objective is to create an environment where employees can approach management without the fear of repercussions and with the expectation that leaders will actively strive to improve the employee experience.

Take action based on employee feedback.

Similarly, regularly soliciting feedback from employees allows management to identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes. When there are improvements to the work culture thanks to the feedback of employees, there is a sense of contribution to the organization's success. Effective feedback channels and mechanisms can foster a culture of continuous improvement and elevate employee satisfaction, motivation, and engagement.

Recognize and reward a job well done.

Employee recognition and rewards are widely recognized as best practices for boosting employee engagement. Traditionally, hard work is rewarded through verbal recognition, bonuses, or other incentives. But creative approaches to employee recognition can add a personalized touch, foster a sense of community, and provide tangible recognition that employees can share digitally.

Innovative ways to recognize and reward employees can include:

• Leveraging social media platforms to celebrate their achievements
• Creating dedicated communication channels for employees to publicly appreciate their colleagues' efforts
• Using digital badges or virtual awards that employees can display on their email signatures or social media profiles
• Sending personalized video messages from leadership or team members to recognize and appreciate employees' contributions

Get together socially, not just professionally.

Holding social events, such as team-building activities or company outings, provides opportunities for employees to build relationships, foster camaraderie, and enhance teamwork. At Erudit, our face-to-face get-togethers are what our remote team looks forward to the most and help contribute to a positive and engaged work environment.

Strategies to Improve Internal Communication

There are many challenges to effective employee communication, but organizations can implement several strategies to overcome them, including:

Be attentive and practice active listening.

Encouraging employees to actively listen to each other and repeat back what they have heard can greatly improve understanding and reduce misunderstandings. By focusing on truly understanding the message rather than just formulating a response, employees can engage in more effective communication. Active listening involves paying attention, showing empathy, and clarifying information, leading to clearer and more meaningful conversations that foster positive relationships and prevent misinterpretations.

"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply." - Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Break language barriers through training.

As organizations build diverse and inclusive teams from all over the world, language barriers can pose challenges to effective communication. With employees having different native languages, aligning teams and avoiding misunderstandings can be even more difficult.

Providing language training programs or translation services can help bridge these language gaps, enhance cross-cultural communication, and foster a more inclusive and collaborative work environment. More than just translation, it's important to remember that each person understands words and language from their personal lens and experiences. Do not hesitate to clarify and remember to appreciate unique perspectives.

Beat information overload through streamlined communications.

In today's digital workplace, platforms like Staffbase provide a centralized hub where employees can access important information and updates, regardless of location. Leveraging technology can make it easier to empower employees with easy access to data and information, reducing information overload and streamlining communication, leading to enhanced productivity and efficiency in the workplace.

Enhance clarity and accuracy to avoid misunderstandings.

Ensuring that messages are clear, concise, and complete can reduce misunderstandings and improve communication. Clear and accurate communication is essential in the workplace to avoid confusion, prevent errors, and ensure that messages are understood as intended.

"The more you say, the less people remember. The fewer the words, the greater the profit." - Warren Buffett

Best Practices for Implementing Effective Internal Communication

It isn’t easy, but it’s possible for organizations to create a culture of effective internal communication that promotes employee alignment, engagement, and overall success. Here are the top three best practices:

Develop a clear communication plan.

Creating a well-thought-out communication plan that outlines the objective, main message, and expected outcome of the communications campaign can ensure that communication efforts are consistent, purposeful, and effective. A communication plan serves as a roadmap to guide communication efforts and helps ensure that the right messages are delivered to the right audiences at the right time.

Align all communication channels.

Repetition and alignment also play a crucial role in effective communication. Utilizing a diverse range of communication channels, including email, social media, intranet, and in-person meetings, makes it even more vital to ensure that the message is consistently and clearly conveyed across all channels. This repetition reinforces the message and helps ensure that it is understood by employees regardless of the channel they prefer, fostering effective communication throughout the organization.

"Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment." - Zig Ziglar

Provide communication skills training.

Effective communication is a fundamental skill that benefits individuals in their personal and professional interactions, making communication training a valuable investment for overall success and well-being. Training can include active listening, giving and receiving feedback, and adapting communication styles to different audiences. Improved communication skills can enhance collaboration, reduce misunderstandings, and foster a positive and productive work environment, while also enabling individuals to build stronger relationships and succeed in various aspects of their lives. You’d be surprised how many people would sign up for a free training session at work!

"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." - George Bernard Shaw

The Role of Leadership in Successful Internal Communication

Leadership is pivotal in ensuring successful internal communication, as leaders set the tone and model effective communication practices. From top executives to managers and other people leaders with influence in the company, leaders play a crucial role in any culture initiative.

Serving as role models for their teams, leaders must be transparent and honest in their communication with employees, even when it involves difficult or uncomfortable information. This level of transparency builds trust and credibility, fostering a culture of open communication throughout the organization.

Tools and Resources to Support Successful Employee Communication

In today's digital age, leveraging technology can greatly enhance internal communication. Technology can provide numerous benefits for communication, such as facilitating real-time communication, enabling remote collaboration, and increasing efficiency. Finding the right tools that work for your organization is crucial, but equally important is not underestimating the value of face-to-face, genuine interaction.

Communication Platforms

Communication platforms, such as Slack or Microsoft Teams, can facilitate communication between employees and teams.

Employee Sentiment Tools

Surveys can be used to gather feedback from employees and identify areas for improvement. AI tools like Erudit can bypass surveys and detect which teams are suffering from a lack of alignment or low engagement levels in real time.

Recognition and Reward Platforms

Bonusly, Kudos, and Achievers provide a digital space for managers and employees to give and receive recognition, celebrate achievements, and provide rewards or incentives.

On a Mission for Effective Communication

Effective employee communication is crucial for improving employee engagement and performance as well as for building a positive work environment. As remote teams become more common and diverse, communication plays an even more critical role. By prioritizing communication, implementing effective strategies, utilizing available tools, and modeling good communication practices, organizations can create a workplace that thrives, benefiting both the business and society as a whole.

We all share the responsibility to find the best way forward to communicate effectively, build better relationships, and foster a positive work culture.

‍