Effective communication is essential for all organisations as it provides a framework for information flow internally as well as externally and minimises silos effect. The future of an organisation depends on the capabilities of its people and how they communicate. To unleash human capabilities, building trust is important. Technologies has been growing over time but over the last decade or so organisations are investing more and more into computer based communications such as electronic mail, video conferencing and voice messaging. Since the last decade, electronic communication media communication channel has taken the world like a storm and lost human contact.
The innovation of technology is allowing organisation, leaders and people to hide behind their desks and looking into a screen and sending messages. They can’t see anything else apart from the screen even a person sitting across them. The culture of trust is fast disintegrating and the fear is increasing as people are forgetting how to connect with each other. There is less interaction as communication is done electronically.
Leaders should be fearless and have a heart to connect people and organisations by creating a culture of trust. The leaders emotional side helps build a relationship. Effective relationship is built on good communication and trust.
Listening is the most essential tool of effective communication. Listen carefully to what a person is saying and let them complete the sentence before you start talking. Listen, visualise and digest. Let the people say what is on their minds. Been listened to makes a person valued and appreciated. It boosts their morale and they become more trusting.
Open and honest conversation does not exist without trust. Good communication and trust starts with social interactions. Don’t just sit behind your desk, get up and go and talk to the next person even if you say hello or shake their hands. Encourage others to do the same. Invite people and got out for a coffee or a walk outside so you reconnect with the nature and beauty of the environment. This will break the outer hard protective shell and bring out the inner softer emotional self. Like the beauty and nature of environment, there is a beauty inside us which is the communication. Give the people freedom of speech to voice their opinion. This enhances the human capability in an organisation.
Start living your childhood again. As a child we communicated even if it was completely meaningless. Saying ‘hello’ to someone walking down the street was done without fear. This made us come out of our shells, encouraged us to talk and build trust. As a child we are being nurtured, protected and trusting of our care givers. Communication was encouraged either verbal or non-verbal. As we grew older we slowly get released into another environment. We have been given the tools to live outside the protection of our care givers. Don’t’ be afraid to question, be bold like a child and reconnect with sense, like touch, smell and taste. Once you have feel and have a taste of communication you will experience the power of effective communication.
A leader has to nurture the people and make them come out of their shells, like a parent does to a child. Keep asking them again and again till you get your first question. Engage them to participate and allow feedback. Always make time available for questions later. Speak clearly and avoid jargon or tell a story. Have a punch line that will amuse people.
In a workplace communication is needed at all levels and is best done face to face. Take out “silos’ and set up regular meetings either inter departmental or one on one. Tell them what is happening and whether it is going to affect them or not. Make extra effort to communicate until such time it becomes a habit. Don’t just focus doing the right thing, communicate and discuss with others around you. Encourage communication at all levels.
Enhance open communication culture to provide freedom of speech.
Effective flow of information within an organisation.
People will be out socialising more and spending less time in the office.
Take the first plunge rather than testing the water first.
Understand the needs
Identify the communication channel
Encourage active participation
Build a culture of trust
Always listen first
Encourage upward, downward, vertical and horizontal communication
Minimise ‘Silo’s’ culture
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