In my work I learn a lot about my client companies, and it never surprises me to hear similar situations that exist in companies regardless of the industry. For profit, not-for-profit, technology, professional services, education, medical, you get the picture.

Currently, some of the frequently shared areas of concern include:

• Creating a Connected Culture
• Managing Constant Change
• Lack of Psychological Safety
• Employee Retention
• Being Heard
• DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)

When I look at this list, a lot of this is connected to communication!

• In order to create connection, communication is key. Showing that you’re curious about others, seeking and sharing feedback, showing appreciation, celebrating each other, and more.
• Transparent and continuous communication is a key ingredient for successfully managing change.
• To build a culture of psychological safety, open, honest, and non-judgmental communication is essential.
• If you want to retain employees, you need to listen to them and communicate with them the value they offer, and show them you care about them.
• Employees that want to be heard are asking for others to be curious about them, seek out their opinion, and listen to what they are saying and the thoughts they are sharing.
• If organizations want employees to feel like they belong and have clarity around what the organization stands for as it relates to DEI, effective communication is critical to helping everyone understand not only that they belong, but what the expectations of the organization are regarding accepting of all people and beliefs.

And, what I hear from a majority, if not all of my clients, is that their organizations have room to improve their communication. There is a need to share information broadly and to be transparent. They feel this would help with the above concerns. Without a focus on improving communication, it’s difficult to feel connected, safe, or heard, and it’s hard to develop trust. Additionally, when a company or leaders within the company are not sharing openly, employees will fill in the blanks; they will make up their own stories.

What are you and/or your organization doing to focus on effective communication? What are your expectations around feedback? How are you managing change? What are you hearing from employees? Want to learn more or explore ways to improve? I’d love to connect.

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw