My List Of Things To Build Better Communication & Morale Leading
It is recommended to create a list of essential information a person needs to remember. A list creates order, prioritization, accountability, and relieves stress. To add principles to enhance communication is a practical tool to utilize. After reviewing the content of the list in the article, I agree that the ideas are relevant and reasonable. The recommendations on the list are applicable and would enhance communication within an organizational setting. There are a couple notable items I think are crucial and should be regarded as best practices.
The most significant is number seven assumes the best intentions. It happens too often people send text messages or emails that are received and interpreted in a manner not intended. It is difficult to decipher the tone, sarcasm, and humor in a message because it is non-verbal communication that accomplishes the message intent. For instance, a sarcastic comment communicated with body language such as a distorted or uneven smile where the mouth is raised only on one side. That would signal and reinforce the comment was not intended to be an insult but sarcastic.
Even though many individuals continue to get angry without asking for clarification of the message. The other significant point is number five, read and respond to the entire email. When a company email is sent out to an individual or the entire staff it is critical to read the entire message. Often, employees are scanning the first or second sentence. If the sender did not write the critical information first, it will not be received. This trend is becoming more common, and the consequences could gravely damage company operations. The remaining six recommendations on the list are important and I feel are essential to achieving better communication.
I would create a list that would improve communication would be chiefly crafted around the shift of worker generational differences and the cultural differences of employees. An organization that does not consider these points in policy are likely to suffer from a culture that is unmotivated, less productive, and disloyal. Companies and managers should engage their employees to foster good will and appreciate that is likely to lead to organizational success.
Engaged employees can only thrive in inclusive work environments—those that value, reward, and develop employees from all generations and give them opportunities to contribute (Murphy, S. 2018). It is important to hire a diverse staff because some of the differences can generate an eclectic set of ideas and styles. However, generational and cultural differences can lead to serious conflict within an organization disrupting the organization's operations. The list of eight will address a lot of the barriers that can occur because of poor or no generational or cultural training.
Speak Openly about Different Viewpoints
It is encouraged that every opinion is heard regardless of whether or it is considered or not. The open dialog fosters open communication without fear of reprisal. For example, if an individual offers a solution to a group meeting, the group may collectively decide that the idea is not worth pursuing. However, even so, your opinion could generate some alternative lines of thinking and new perspectives that keep the conversation moving forward. (DeMers, J. 2015). Discussion leads to results, and the more opinions there are to feed that discussion, the faster and more efficiently you will eventually get to those results.
Resist the Urge to Interrupt
There is nothing more annoying or breaks down communication than an individual that interrupts you. A couple examples likely to occur is while on the phone with a client or trying to get essential information from the boss while someone interrupts and terminates the initial communication exchange. In these circumstances, an assertive approach is recommended. When a person interrupts a conversation, an assertive statement such as, “Could you hold that thought just a minute? My boss to hear this?” (Stinnet, B. 2018). A clear assertive message delivered tactfully may reduce that behavior in the future.
Be Direct and Straightforward with Communication
There are many words in the English language that have separate meanings, connotations, and phonetically identical words such as soar, sore, write, right, etc. Many people have said that individuals claim that American English has too many meaningless words of doublespeak, slang, and unclear reasoning. Those who deny this may argue that language merely reflects existing social conditions and that we cannot influence its development, by any direct tinkering with words or constructions. (Fromm, E. 2003). A poll conducted with foreign women in the workplace believes that in a work environment, being direct is necessary because it is efficient and without useless or invaluable language. (Suklun, H. 2017). Instead, direct language places the focus on work. They all said that directness is prevalent in their native land and stems directly from their culture.
Practice Eye Contact, Upright Posture, and reflective listening
It is difficult learning the different communication styles of colleagues and how and when to share your plans or grievances. Although, various supervisors may exclusively ask for your opinion, others may assume that no news is good news. If an employee and a supervisor learn to communicate well (in whatever method that works), there is a greater likelihood of job retention and promotion. (Maurene, A. 2018). The practice of eye contact, upright posture, and reflective listening develops the ability to examine words and feelings and to verify comprehension. It gives a positive perception of confidence, respect, and engagement.
5. Team Collaboration
Open Discussion, Decision-Making, and Problem Solving. The benefit of team collaboration in communications enhances an exchange of ideas in an open discussion, offers multiple views of problem-solving, and decision making. The capacity to achieve goals and objectives leads to improved outcomes for the team members (e.g., team member satisfaction and willingness to remain together) as well as outcomes produced or influenced by the team. (Hilton, M. 2015). Moreover, it can strengthen work bonds, strengthen cultural expertise, and increase job satisfaction.
Email Tracking
Read Receipts to Confirm Email has been Received. Microsoft and Mozilla both have the technology to employ a read-receipt tracking method. The sender selects the receipt request option prior to sending the message, and then upon sending, each recipient has the option of notifying the sender that the message was received or read by the recipient. (Bespalaya, E. 2018). Be certain that when you send a return receipt that you request one back. It is important that the company email is on the same network.
Do not Interject and Finish another Employee’s Sentence
Individuals may consider continual interjections are a way to show a high-level of engagement. Consequently, it is not well received and considered disrespectful that contributes to a toxic culture. Be cognizant of that behavior, practice patience, and let people finish their sentences. The pay offs of practicing active listening; in turn I also get truly heard, my contributions are equally valued, and my relationships grow ever stronger. (Thinkersinq, 2018) It is significant to complete tasks and move forward on new possibilities.
Train New International Employees Early and Native Employees often.
Early culture studies placed an emphasis on what has been described as “strong or unified” cultures developed by leadership (management) to guide an organization to excellence. (Shockley-Zalabak, P. S. 2016). The idea suggests strong leaders identify values key for success and then literally build cultures reflective of those values. Organizations. The regular training of staff on cultural and racial differences contributes to tolerance, production, and collaboration that creates a positive corporate culture.
This concludes my list of eight things I believe will build better communication and morale leading to the success of the organization. The cultural and gender awareness has been addressed, and the results may have a cross-cultural respect for one another.
Works Cited:
- Bespalaya, E. (2018). How to get email read receipt and delivery receipt in Outlook. Excel tutorials, functions and formulas for beginners and advanced users. Ablebits.com Blog. Retrieved 29 September 2018, from http://www.ablebits.com/office-addins-blog/2014/02/26/outlook-delivery-read-confirmation/
- Cooke, N., Hilton, M. (2015). Overview of the Research on Team Effectiveness. National Academies Press (US). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310384/
- DeMers, J. (2015) 7 Reasons to Never Hold Back Your Opinion Inc.com. Retrieved 29 September 2018, from https://www.inc.com/jayson-demers/7-reasons-to-never-hold-back-your-opinion.html
- Evans, A. and Dukun, H. (2017). Workplace diversity and intercultural communication: A phenomenological study. Cogent Business & Management. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2017.1408943
- Maureene, A. (2018). Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success. Dol.gov. Retrieved 29 September 2018, from https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/youth/softskills/softskills.pdf
- Murphy, S. (2018). Assets.aarp.org. Retrieved 29 September 2018, from assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org/art
- Orwell, G. & Fromm, E. (2003). Nineteen eighty-four: a novel. New York: Plume.
- Shockley-Zalabak, P. S. (2016). Fundamentals of Organizational Communication, 9th Edition. [MBS ]. Retrieved from mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780134002347
- tinnet, B. (2018). Epiheirimatikotita.gr. Retrieved 29 September 2018, from http://www.epiheirimatikotita.gr/elibrary/marketingsales/McGraw-Hill%20-%20Think%
