Success as a business leader requires many things, including dedication and drive. It also requires excellent communication skills. Learn more about why communication is the most important key to leadership success, as well as tips for improving your communication skills.
It Increases Productivity
Miscommunication does nothing for a business’s bottom line. It can leave employees confused, which often affects the quality of the work and deadlines. If team members feel like they cannot ask their manager or supervisor questions, the chances of poor quality or past-deadline work increases. By maintaining clear communication lines and ensuring work assignment instructions are detailed, employees provide quality results on time that boost the company’s reputation and increase revenue.
It Limits Conflicts
When employees enjoy good communication with their managers, conflicts are less likely. Team members are typically not as frustrated about their assignments or projects, which puts them in better moods. Feeling irritated or agitated about work and related miscommunication issues can result in snappish responses and even outbursts. While no workplace is conflict-free, maintaining good communication among the team helps everyone focus on what’s most important: their latest assignments. If a conflict does arise, team members feel comfortable approaching the manager about it and resolving the issue in a timely manner.
It Helps Employees Feel Appreciated
When employees feel like their superiors appreciate the work they do, problems with “disgruntled team members” usually lower. Respect and appreciation go a long way, and good communication is among the strategies for ensuring employees feel both. If they know they can come to their supervisors with problems minus annoyed or judgemental reactions, there are fewer problems with productivity, conflict, and high turnover rates. Any business with a high turnover rate is always suspicious to potential hires, because they wonder what is wrong that the company cannot retain team members.
Ways To Improve Communication
Communication is the most important key to leadership success, but improving your communication skills naturally takes time. To help yourself, try the following:
- Review emails and assignment/project instructions in detail: Vague wording results in questions and frustrated employees. Avoid these issues by reviewing written communications before you send them and ask yourself questions such as, “How can I make this clearer?”, “If I was reading this for the first time, would I understand the instructions or would I have questions?,” and “What sounds vague when I read it out loud?”
- Create an open door policy: While you do not literally have to keep your office door perpetually open, you should implement an open door policy. Make it clear to your team that you are here to help and will answer any question, no matter how “dumb” it may seem. Consider establishing times during the week when employees can approach you with questions or concerns.
- Listen: Making a point of really listening to employees and fellow managers indicates your respect and interest in what they are saying. It also avoids miscommunication because there is less chance of mishearing and misinterpreting the words of others. To hone your listening skills, put away distractions, such as assorted devices, and concentrate on the person in front of you.
Wrapping Up
Since communication is the most important key to leadership success, it is well worth working on. Doing so contributes to a harmonious work environment. Healthy communication helps employees feel excited about going to work instead of dreading the office or other workplace every day. You’ll feel less stress as well.
For more about workplace communication and how to improve your skills, please contact Peaceful Leaders Academy today.
