Four Important Tips for Closing the Communication Gap between Employees and Managers
One of the most important success factors for any business is efficiency and accuracy in communication. In many businesses, communication problems manifest vertically rather than randomly. It is more common to experience communication barriers between subordinates and their superiors than between employees on the same work level.
When these challenges are present, it becomes difficult for the two parties to achieve the common goals of the organization. While both groups may ultimately be working to achieve the same corporate goals, the operative goals become unsynchronized, threatening the company’s ability to achieve the former. The following tips will help you to identify and close such communication gaps.
Identify the Symptoms
Before attempting to eliminate the perceived gaps in communication, it is necessary to identify the symptoms of such a problem in your organization. The first step involves looking out for some of the commonest signs that the company may be suffering from misalignment.
Companies that have communication problems will exhibit confusion, misaligned priorities, indecisive actions, unclear motives, and overall lack of awareness. Communication gaps normally appear in different ways such as in technology, interpersonal issues, and motivational aspects.
As an illustration, technological gaps that lead to miscommunication are common in organization whose employees have opposing views toward technology. Generation Y employees may easily be drawn to solving problems using technology while, the baby boomers could prefer to do things using the older ways.
When these two groups of employees are working under the same corporate wing, such problems will manifest relatively quickly. The problem will be more pronounced when the hierarchy has theses generational differences. For instance, the workers could be from Generation Y while the managers could be baby boomers who are still unwilling to welcome new technology.
Measure the Gaps in Communication
It is essential to determine the basic characteristics of the communication gaps when attempting to fix this problem. The first step is measuring its size and trend. One way you can do this is by reviewing all the communication that has occurred between the employees and their managers and tallying the number of synchronized communication versus misunderstandings and cross-purposes.
You may also request feedback from the employees and managers without making any attempts that could stifle information as that might lead to less efficiency in the company.
Undertake Resource Assessment
Some causes of miscommunication between employees and their employers can be solved by injecting resources in the right places. For instance, one may easily solve technological gaps by upgrading the available equipment and software.
It is important to identify whether the communication problems are related to acrimonious issues since these cannot be solved using technology. In some cases, the communication problems can be solved by introducing company phones, upgrading the phone software, or fixing the faulty internet signal.
Do not Underestimate the need for Training
One of the reasons why the technological gaps continues to grow everyday between employees is the fast pace at which innovation is happening. Younger employees are quick to pick up the necessary skills and utilize them while older workers are more conservative with their tools.
Every small and midsize company needs a program that runs routine employee workshops where all the workers are exposed to the newest technology especially in regards to communication and efficiency.
Conclusion
Identifying and closing the communication gaps in your organization will streamline most of the company operations. It will improve your organization’s ability to plan and execute key projects.
The first step involves looking out for signs of miscommunication between the workers and the managers from feedback and the communication log. You may then proceed to measure the gap, assess the resources needed and offer the necessary training to workers.
