Cultural norms to drive healthy internal communications
There are far too many companies operating under the assumption that cutthroat environments drive productivity and lead to financial or institutional success. The reality is quite different — it’s about culture.
A company’s culture does not merely consist of flashy benefits and perks. Of course, those do help to frame the culture, but they are not the end-all be-all to a positive work environment. Organizations must live up to the hype these incentives create through a culture that encourages employees to be engaging, collaborative and thoughtful.
In the end, culture is an important function of internal communications.
Internal communications is more than a set of tools and tactics. The latest e-blast design or that new intranet you’ve launched isn’t going to transform your culture. But the day-to-day engagements that make your team tick — the conversations and relationships between members, managers and executives — are critical. In a fast-paced, detail oriented workplace, fostering these positive engagements leads to loyal and productive employees.
Emphasize collaboration
Technology allows modern workplaces to seamlessly communicate with colleagues unlike ever before. Even when thousands of miles apart, correspondence is instant, allowing coworkers to quickly get the answers they need to get a job done right. That speed, however, does require nuance. Management must set a baseline where no idea is a bad idea and questions are encouraged.
Sometimes the most unrealistic thought can serve as a much-needed catalyst for creativity, pushing other team members to think outside of the box. Furthermore, when junior employees feel comfortable approaching their superiors with questions or concerns, they learn quickly and feel compelled to execute to the best of their ability. Thus, managers should create spaces where all employees can share an equal voice without fear of judgement or reprimand. Whether in-person, through email or instant messaging services, creating supportive spaces to communicate across teams thoroughly and quickly can make all the difference.
Transparency is key, from the top down
In nurturing a culture of collaboration, managers have to walk the talk by setting a tone of openness, engaging with their team clearly and honestly. Be a part of the process and culture, not above it — and help others be a part of it, too.
By setting this example, junior employees will learn, in almost every instance, that they can get the answers they need, offer their own ideas and engage in conversations. While it may seem burdensome on a manager, this extra time spent communicating and actively participating will prove invaluable in the long-term as employees develop a better understanding of the work, what is expected and how to communicate.
Workplace friendships
Workplace friendships are a delicate balance. On one hand, working alongside friends can have positive effects on quality of work, productivity and overall happiness. On the other, it can blur the line of professionalism and lead to conflicts of interest. Some professionals and organizations opt for a strict separation between work and personal life. But if a few ground rules are established through internal communications, friendships can thrive in a healthy and productive manner for both employees and business.
Team members should want to spend time with their colleagues. They should feel connected, supported and inclined to help one another reach common goals. While employees and managers must take care to preserve professionalism, workplace friendships can create a culture where employees support each other’s successes and prevent each other’s failures.
Building a strong workplace culture that produces happy team members and high-quality work takes time, with no exact formula. Implementing baseline internal communications standards that allow co-workers to be open, friendly and respectful will ultimately prove tremendously valuable for companies and employees alike.
