The Art Of Communication In The Workplace

The art of communication is something that all great leaders possess and they had developed this skill as nobody is born with it. Effective communication in the workplace should always be a priority focus point for any leader wanting to succeed.

• Art of communication: Let your team speak up
• Increase productivity through effective communication
• Positive communication in the workplace
• Negative communication in the workplace
• Art of Communication - Summary

Art of Communication: Let your team speak up

Upward communication can be seen as moving information from the lower organizational hierarchy to the higher levels of management and vice versa. The art of communication is to find a balance between good and bad communication. 

There is positive and negative upward communication in each organization. Unfortunately, the smaller the organization the more negative communication is fed upwards. 

Very few people understand the importance of communication and therefore are unable to reap the benefits.

When leaders do not understand the importance of positive communication their ignorance can become very costly to the organization.

Without both of these types of communication in the system, the communication channels will not function properly. 

Positive Communication in the workplace

Positive upward communication can be seen as useful and positive information that can be used by top management to base future plans and decisions that will benefit the organization. 

These will include:

• Productivity reports 
• Minutes from meetings 
• Workgroup discussions 
• Worker suggestions and comments 
• Team building exercises (If managed well) 

Negative Communication in the workplace

This is the type of communication that can cause serious damage to the organization’s ability to make positive decisions and build strong team morale.

It is a great trust breaker and can also leave top management open for victimization claims at the CCMA. These can include:

• Gossip 
• Grapevine channel 
• “Undercover” longtime employees carrying stories 
• Incorrect reporting 
• Negative comments from negative people 
• Unknown sources from outside the organization 

Positive communication channels were used very successfully throughout history by many top organizations to enhance growth, build trusting relationships and motivate their workers. 

It is important to understand that negative communication will always be present. Success comes from taking notice and analyzing the reasons behind it. A good leader will use negative communication in the same way as good communication.

It is still a form of feedback and should be treated as such.

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Unfortunately, this has changed in many ways and can be seen throughout the industry and the effect this has on the economy is devastating.

Over the last twenty years, it could be seen that the dynamics of this information changed with the size of the organization. 

This has been an international trend but South African businesses started feeling this shift more so over the last fifteen years. 

It is also possible that this change is because of the small and medium-sized business sectors growing. 

These are normally family-run or one-man shows who rely on communication but because of inexperience and trust issues, they thrive (and take a dive) on negative communication.

Due to a serious lack of experience and possibly low ethical or moral standards at the top management level, the shift is more towards the negative communication channel. 

This can also be seen in bigger organizations and companies but the reasons for this can also be seen as inexperienced and a case of “I know it all”.

Increase productivity through effective communication

To ensure that positive communication can assist you with running an effective and efficient workforce keep the following basics in mind:

• Put the word out that you only accept positive communication. 
• Put communication positive channels in places such as daily reports, workers' meetings, and management feedback sessions. 
• Punish negative communication by dismissing it openly. 
• If there is a need to investigate rumours and gossip investigate it quietly and discreetly without involving the carriers. 
• Keep communication channels short and sweet. 
• Ensure that everyone has some form of access to a communication process.
• Grow the habit of clear and concise verbal communication as a preferred channel.

Art of Communication Summary

You will always have both positive and negative communication in your organization.

True leadership qualities will make use of both types to improve organizational culture and productivity.