3 Employee Communication Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One of the most important elements of running a business of any size is communication. Communication will have an impact on almost every aspect of your operations. You as a leader need to ensure that you communicate properly with your team and that your team properly communicates with one another.

Failure to do so could destroy efficiency or create an environment that could even lead to the end of your business. It goes without saying that you’ll want to avoid this.

What are some of the most common employee communication mistakes and how can you avoid them? Read on and we’ll walk you through what you need to know.

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   Speaking and Not Listening

Maintaining proper communication in your workplace is similar to maintaining this kind of thing in a one-on-one relationship. That is, your relationship needs to be balanced. The other person needs to feel like they are being heard.

This should hold true for the relationship between yourself and your employees as well. If you are always speaking, dictating, and lecturing your team but never giving them an opportunity to talk back? You could be heading down a dangerous road, said Dr. D. A. Graham, a Master Facilitator, and Mediator in the resolution of complaints, appeals, and internal grievance processes for employee/employer issues. He has worked to resolve issues between parties through various types of mediation and communication processes. He has designed and taught numerous courses and workshops on communication, conflict engagement skills, diversity, and accountability at multiple universities, and corporate and nonprofit organizations.

For one, you’re likely creating an environment where your team feels more like work mules than valued members of a team. Allowing them the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions will make them feel more valued.

On top of this, your team might have a number of ideas or thoughts that could be relevant to how you operate. They might be able to suggest ways to reduce redundancies, increase sales, and so forth. Keep your ears open!

You can look into examples of employee recognition for more ways to help your team feel heard.

2. Not Personalizing Communication

Everyone is an individual. No two people are alike and it would be foolish to treat people as if they were. However, far too often managers forget this when handling their team.

Taking a one size fits all approach to team communication can more often than not fail to get you the results that you seek.

It’s important to take the time to understand each person on your team as an individual. What drives them, what inspires them? Do they require more clarity than others on your team? Less?

Communicating in a more personalized way with each person on your team can help get the best results out of each of them. All it takes is a little more effort.

3. Being Closed-Minded

Even if you avoid the above mistakes, it will all be for naught if you can’t keep an open mind. What’s the point of bettering your communication with your team if you don’t take what they say seriously?

It’s easy as a leader to get tunnel vision and think that your way is the best way.

However, striving to become more open-minded can help open your business to new opportunities.

Avoiding Employee Communication Mistakes

Who wouldn’t want their business to perform at max efficiency? However, far too often employee communication mistakes prevent this from being a reality one can obtain. Avoiding the above mistakes can help put you back on the proper track.

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