Ten Tips for Improving Communication

Real communication opens the tap for unrestricted flow of information. It’s not an easy process. It must be gradual. It requires trust and courage. To maintain credibility, management must strictly follow its own message. Real communication is based on mutual trust.

Ten Tips for Improving Communication

1. Manage by walking around. Interact with as many people as possible, at all levels. Walk around. Comment on company business, problems, opportunities, and plans. Communicate informally.
2. Substitute one-on-one exchange for unproductive meetings. Learn by listening. Make your message clear. Achieve more in less time.
3. Reduce layers and stretch the organization horizontally. Communication will be faster, more reliable.
4. Make the organization flexible. Avoid rigid organization charts and restrictive job descriptions. Flexibility allows new situations to be met fast by rearranging the troops, by forming ad-hoc teams. Informality lifts barriers in communication.
5. Make written communication short and clear. To the point. Easy to understand. Avoid excessive explanations and arguments.
6. Learn to listen. It provides information to the president or the sales person. The talkative sales person cannot hear the customer. A good listener does not interrupt, but shows interest and tries to understand the other party – what makes him or her tick.
7. Accept frank opinions from peers and employees. Criticism is communication too. Don’t shoot the messenger.
8. Think before you communicate. Consider the other party, anticipate reactions. Don’t tell people only what they want to hear. Give bad news in a sensitive way.
9. Stay well informed. Via networking; interacting with colleagues, clients, and suppliers; with others connected to the business. Their input is important.
10. Other methods. Include information to new hires; periodical briefings; information on notice boards; a professionally edited newsletter, using appropriate language to boost team spirit and promote new ideas.

Among all forms of communication, nothing equals a face-to-face exchange. There is no substitute for body language. The tone, facial expressions, and gestures that go with the words cannot be expressed in writing or even over the phone.