Communication Is Key To Running Lean & Effective In A Cooling Economy (With Resources)

Effective communication is crucial for the success of any organization, especially in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Communication training for leaders, managers, and teams can improve collaboration, increase productivity, and promote a more effective and inclusive work environment. Let's explore the benefits of communication training and access several helpful resources.

Improving Collaboration and Productivity

Employees spend 7 hours a week dealing with the effects of poor teamwork, equating to 2 full months of time each year. (Read more in our eBook on the State of Teams after COVID).

That’s almost a full workday for each of your employees, wasted by silos, information hoarding, politics, power dynamics, lack of (or poor) feedback, sloppy management, virtual communication, issue avoidance, fear of speaking up, and other communication challenges, not to mention covering for someone else not pulling their weight, discussing problematic team members with others, or redoing work because of unclear objectives.

Communication training can help teams avoid costly misunderstandings and mistakes. When employees are trained in effective communication techniques, they are better able to convey their ideas, opinions, and concerns. This leads to improved collaboration, which in turn boosts productivity. 

Effective communication training can also help leaders and managers create a more positive work environment. (Read more in our eBook on how managers can communicate in ways that help their employees feel more valued).

When leaders are trained to communicate with empathy and respect, they can better motivate and engage their teams. In fact, according to a survey by The Conference Board, organizations with high employee engagement have 21% higher profitability.

For example, as a leader, do you struggle to get your team to tell you what they really think? Even in private, people are reluctant to share their true opinions, for a range of reasons, including power imbalances, fear or embarrassment, and the power you have over their paychecks and advancement. Communication training can help. See our eBook on How To Solicit Feedback From A Group for more on this topic, with strategies you can use to get people to help you with big decisions. 

Reducing Turnover and Conflict

Effective communication training can also help reduce employee turnover and conflict. When employees feel included and invested in by their organization, they are more likely to stay. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, employees who feel included are 50% less likely to quit.

In addition, communication training can help reduce conflict in the workplace. Read more in our eBook on The Drivers of Destructive Conflict.

When employees are trained in conflict resolution techniques, they are better equipped to resolve disputes in a constructive and respectful manner. This can help reduce the negative impact of workplace conflict on productivity, morale, and employee retention.

Benefits for Virtual and Hybrid Organizations and Teams

With the rise of virtual and hybrid organizations and teams, effective communication and teamwork has become even more important. 60% of an employee’s time is spent working on a team, and 51% of that is virtual. Here is our eBook on Closing The Virtual Team Skills Gap for strategies to address virtual team communication. 

Remote workers may feel isolated and disconnected from their colleagues, leading to decreased productivity and engagement. What few leaders understand is the root cause, human insecurity. Learn about this primary driver of culture in our eBook, The Invisible Drain On Your Organizational Culture.  

Yes, communication training can help bridge this gap. A survey by Zogby Analytics found that 83% of remote workers believe that virtual teams can be just as effective as in-person teams if they have the right tools and training. Effective communication training can provide remote workers with the tools they need to communicate effectively, build relationships, and collaborate with their colleagues.

In addition, communication training can help virtual and hybrid teams navigate cultural differences and language barriers. By promoting cross-cultural communication and inclusivity, communication training can help ensure that all team members feel valued and heard.

How Do I Start Improving Organizational Communication?

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, effective communication is more important than ever. Communication training for leaders, managers, and teams can help improve collaboration, increase productivity, and promote a more inclusive and invested work environment. 

Learn about our DiSCⓇ & 5 BehaviorsTM training for leaders, managers, and teams, access more free resources, read our 2-Minute Leadership Communications Tip, or contact us for more information.