Here at Endorphin, we’re big fans of communicating effectively. In today’s fast-paced business environment, internal communication can make or break your success. If you’re not communicating effectively with your team, you’re missing out on valuable opportunities to build relationships and drive results.
But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Here are five big internal communication errors you might be making and how to fix them.
1. Still using old-fashioned methods for everything
Despite the plethora of channels available, some still insist on using old-fashioned ways to communicate. Now an email can be fine on occasion, but have you tried using a range of methods for different messages depending on what you want the outcome to be? If you want to excite your workforce, then an email alone just won’t cut it. Ensure your comms are diverse and varied and you will appeal to far more members of your team.
2. No strategy
It might not seem necessary to create a dedicated plan for internal communications, but without a strategy in place, you’re inviting unpredictability into the workplace which can lead to a range of issues.
Taking time to decide how you communicate, and how often, as well as planning ahead for something big, can drastically improve your comms, as well as their impact on your team.
3. Not communicating regularly
Leaving employees in the dark about what’s happening in the business can lead to them feeling undervalued. The best way to help your team feel invested in your business is to keep them informed. Start an ‘open-door policy’ or encourage questions during 1-to-1s. Having a culture of openness is proven to have a positive effect on workplace culture.
4. Overcomplication
Overcomplicating your messages can happen easily if you haven’t employed a comms strategy. Messages that aren’t concise enough, include too much information, or don’t include enough information, can cause misinterpretations and a lack of cohesion.
When communicating with your teams, ensure to do so clearly. Think about your words and how they may be interpreted. Manage expectations carefully and consider the effect on your teams.
5. Ignoring feedback and results
Without feedback, you won’t know how your comms are being received, or even if they are being heard at all! Speaking to your team, involving them in decisions and making them part of the conversation are vital parts of a good internal comms strategy. It’s proven that when employees feel included, they are more likely to be invested in the business and therefore are more productive and less likely to leave.
Worried you might be making one of the five big mistakes? Then get in touch with Endorphin today and find out how we can help you improve your internal comms.