According to management expert and dean of Harvard Business School, Nitin Nohria, communication is the real work of leadership. And that doesn’t apply only to Fortune 500 companies. No matter the size of the organization, effective managers must be strong communicators to inspire and lead their teams. Unfortunately, with day-to-day business demands, communication skills are getting short shrift at too many companies. Today we’re going to give you a communication tune-up—a set of strategies and suggestions that will help keep your communications efforts on point.
1. Understand that whether you realize it or not, you’re always communicating.
2. Encourage regular and ongoing feedback from managers and supervisors to employees.
3. Pay attention to the language you use.
4. Listen.
5. Be clear, correct, and consistent in all your communications.
Indeed, effective employee communication has many dimensions, and it must be an ongoing goal and effort at your organization. But keeping the basics in mind, and practicing them in your daily interactions, will serve you well. As we said earlier, you are always communicating—but how well and effectively you do it are up to you.
