The importance of employee communication in building a positive company culture.
Effective communication is a crucial aspect of building a positive company culture, as it helps to foster trust, understanding, and engagement among employees. Unfortunately, many organizations struggle with communication breakdowns, which can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and a lack of trust among employees. In this article, I'm keen to explore the importance of employee / Internal communication in building a positive company culture, discuss strategies for effective communication within the workplace, and provide examples of good internal comms.
"Effective communication is the backbone of any successful organization," says Anne Mulcahy (former chairperson and CEO of Xerox Corporation). “Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just an employee – are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability.”
Clear and consistent communication is key to effective employee communication. This means that leaders and managers need to be transparent about important developments within the organization and actively seek out diverse perspectives and feedback from employees. Howard Schultz (CEO of Starbucks) says that the “currency of leadership is transparency. You've got to be truthful. I don't think you should be vulnerable every day, but there are moments where you've got to share your soul and conscience with people and show them who you are, and not be afraid of it.” - Howard Schultz (CEO of Starbucks)
One example of a company that, historically at least, successfully implemented transparent communication is Google. The company famously held, until 2019, weekly "TGIF" (Thank God It's Friday) meetings where employees could ask questions and provide feedback to the leadership team. This helped to create a culture of open communication and trust within the organization. However, is 2019 these were scaled back to monthly meetings and changed to focus on Business Strategy instead. The change has been much criticised as a sign that Google is moving away from being the ‘People First’ organisation that it was once reknowned for.
Inclusivity is another important aspect of effective communication. It is essential to ensure that everyone has a voice and that all perspectives are heard. This can be achieved by fostering an open and inclusive culture, where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions. "Inclusivity is key to effective communication, as it helps to ensure that everyone is heard and that all perspectives are considered," says Mulcahy. "It also helps to promote diversity and inclusion within the organization."
One example of a company that has successfully implemented inclusivity in their communication is Salesforce. The company has a policy of "Ohana," which is Hawaiian for "family," that promotes inclusivity and encourages employees to support and look out for each other. Salesforce also has a practice of "1:1:1 model" where they donate 1% of their product, 1% of their equity and 1% of their employee time to non-profit organizations, this helps in promoting community building and social impact within the company.
Active listening is another crucial aspect of effective communication. This means that leaders and managers need to be present and attentive when employees are speaking and take the time to understand what is being said.
An example of a company that has successfully implemented active listening is Zappos. The company has a policy of "radical candor," which encourages managers to give direct and honest feedback to employees, and to actively listen to their concerns. Zappos also has a practice of "holacracy", a self-management system that encourages employees to take ownership of their work and make decisions, helping promote autonomy and ownership within the company.
In addition to these strategies, there are also several technological tools that can improve communication within the workplace. For example, team collaboration tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom can be used to facilitate remote and in-person communication, and to keep everyone on the same page. These tools can also help to streamline communication and make it easier for employees to access essential information and resources.
Another important aspect of effective communication is feedback. Regular feedback helps employees understand how they are performing and where they need to improve. This can be achieved through performance evaluations, 1:1 meetings, and other forms of feedback.
An example of a company that has implemented regular feedback into its Internal Communications and management structure is Netflix. The company has a culture of "freedom and responsibility," which encourages employees to take ownership of their work and provides regular feedback to help them improve. Netflix also has a practice of "No Rules" which is a culture of innovation where they do not have any rules and allow employees to make decisions, this helps in promoting innovation and flexibility within the company.
In conclusion, effective communication is essential for building a positive company culture. Clear and consistent communication helps to create a sense of trust and understanding among employees, which is vital for fostering a positive work environment. It is also important to ensure that everyone has a voice and that all perspectives are heard, and to actively listen to employees. By implementing effective communication strategies, organizations can improve employee satisfaction, engagement, and productivity, and build a positive company culture that attracts and retains top talent.
It is important to note that effective communication does not stop at the company level, it also extends to the customers. Companies that have great internal communication also have great external communication, this helps in creating a brand image and customer satisfaction which leads to increased business.
In today's fast-paced business environment, effective communication is more important than ever. By implementing effective communication strategies, organizations can create a positive company culture that attracts and retains top talent, improves employee satisfaction, engagement, and productivity, but ultimately, drives business success.
