Communication and it’s vital importance in the digital working world

We all know that communication is super important in all aspects of life. When things go unsaid, are ignored or even miscommunicated, this can lead to serious problems. Even before COVID-19, without effective communication within the workplace, things could go wrong quickly.

Many Managers might already manage teams remotely, but for those that see their team every day, things are drastically different and are looking to stay that way. Many (if not all) employees and managers are working from home, therefore the possibility to ever see someone you work with in person is slim. This means that meetings are done remotely, and simple questions are now asked and answered via emails or through other platforms.

This poses a challenge for those who might not be used to it; on both the giving and receiving end. When using emails or instant messaging platforms to communicate, so many things get lost that you typically receive, or are aware of, in person. When communicating in person, you can read the individuals body language, hear the tone in their voice and see if they are smiling or not; you can read the expressions on their face. Digital communication loses all of this. If someone simply emails “Thanks.” This could be interpreted in numerous ways!

With that said, leaders of companies and their managers need to be on the same page and ensure they have clear goals and core values to follow without micromanaging employees and be able to communicate effectively in this increasingly digital world. When communicating, management needs to ensure they follow through on their promises and ensure equality for employees. Employees talk and if there are double standards, this will quickly be found out.

Miscommunication or the lack there of, can lead to blame within teams, extreme frustration, and confusion. This can lead to bad customer service and company brand damage. Inevitably, this can lead to high staff turnover or challenges in hiring individuals in the first place. Employees leave negative environments, mismanaged teams and lack of trust; these problems can all stem from miscommunication.

Frequent communication through challenging times is also extremely important. How did your company manage communication while COVID-19 has been happening? The earthquake? The dump fire? Or even the upcoming hurricane season?

Here at SteppingStones, communication is important and has been used effectively before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We are a small team and communication is vital to our success. We speak on a daily basis to ensure we’re all on the same page and have a plan for the day ahead. We have opportunities to discuss any concerns or problems in weekly manager meetings and we constantly award exceptional performance. All of these meetings have been continuing remotely and management have been transparent with the future of the company throughout this challenging time. In addition, we have an open door policy and therefore issues, if any, can be addressed directly.

Communicating the good, the bad and the ugly are all important. Having those challenging conversations will help in the long run. In every aspect of life, communication is key. Use if effectively and find success for your employees, team and company.