THE FUNDAMENTAL SKILL OF COMMUNICATION

What is communication?

Business communication is the process of sharing information with people inside and outside a business. In the modern workplace, communication with customers, clients and stakeholders now takes place through many mediums. This means that today’s worker needs to be skilled in face-to-face, video, written and more.

Why is communication so important? Healthy relationships need clear communication, and the workplace is no different. The quality of workplace communications impacts employee morale, productivity, and company culture. So, if you want to succeed, strong communication skills are crucial.

Why is communication important in the workplace?

Did you know that the lack of effective workplace communication is one of the most common reasons that growth and change initiatives fail in companies? In fact, a recent study by Gallup found that only 13% of employees strongly agree the leadership of their organization communicates effectively with the rest of the organisation.

The success of any project relies on strong communication, both internally and externally. This means that managers should communicate information around the purpose, benefits, and impacts of a project. And, if problems arise, open and constructive communication can be used to realign your team with your strategic goals.

The benefits of clear communication are endless. Employers who prioritise timely, informative and transparent communication, investing the energy and resources necessary to build these relationships, will quickly build trust. Meanwhile, employees who are able to communicate effectively with their colleagues, managers, clients and customers are key to driving business outcomes.

And, as employee engagement improves, so too does interdepartmental communication and employee productivity. Research from McKinsey finds that organisations with connected employees show productivity increases of up to 25%.