The document discusses 10 things employees wish employers knew about communicating with them. It emphasizes the importance of communication in driving employee engagement and productivity. Some of the key things it recommends are to be concise, understand different employee communication needs, be timely, consistent, forthcoming, objective, and share your vision and plans, not just your vision. Implementing these tips shows employees that employers are listening and learning, helping build a rich corporate culture with benefits like increased productivity and profitability.
2. The most important thing in communication is
hearing what isn’t said.
- PETER DRUCKER
3. Businesses invest significant time and resources into
communicating with consumers.
Can you say the same about communicating
with your employees?
If not, we have news for you...
5. What does engagement matter?
• Productive
• Loyal
• Creative
• Willing to recommend
their company to others
• Eager to inspire others
Employees with “engagement traits” are:
6. Need more proof? Try this:
Disengaged workers cost the country as much as $550
billion every year in lost productivity.
7. This begs the question:
What drives employee engagement?
COMMUNICATION
8. The average ratio of communication team members
to employees in the workplace?
1 : 500-1000
(That’s not very many)
9. With limited resources and so much at stake, what
can you do?
The answer is simpler than you think.
11. Even if your employees aren’t talking directly to you,
trust us: They Are Talking.
Here are the top 10 things they wish you knew about
communicating with then. Ready?
12. 10. Be Concise.
Employees don’t want to wonder what you mean or
how it fits into their job description. Tell them exactly
what you expect and what they can expect in return.
13. 9. Understand Them.
Just like customers, different staff members have different
communication needs. By targeting your messages, you
position yourself for more positive responses.
And besides: who doesn’t want to be understood?
14. 8. Be Timely.
Do you delay responses to important customers? Of
course not. Employees deserve and expect the same
prompt responses.
15. 7. Be Consistent.
Just because your mood changes doesn’t mean your
message should. Optimize consistency and minimize
frustration by standardizing your communication processes.
16. 6. Identify Value.
Employees want to understand how they fit into the
"big picture." Identify the value in each phase of multi-
step projects to foster this critical sense of connection.
17. 5. Stay The Course.
Vision without execution is meaningless. When
employees buy into an idea, they expect you to follow
through. Don't disappoint.
18. 4. Be Courteous.
Words to live by: “It's nice to be important, but it's also
important to be nice.” Treat your employees with the
same respect you reserve for your customers.
19. 3. Be Forthcoming.
Trust depends on transparency. Bad news or good
news...your employees expect to hear it from you, not
from the rumor mill.
20. 2. Be Objective.
Let’s face it: some employees are more likable than
others. While it can be difficult to treat all employees
equally in all situations, objectivity promotes a
culture of fairness.
21. 1. Share Your Plan, Not Just Your Vision.
The leap from vision to execution is a big one with a lot
of creative thinking and number crunching in between.
Don’t just share your vision; also share the tactics and
strategies you’ll use along the way.
And don’t forget: employees have ideas and input, too.
22. Implementing these 10 tips not only shows your
employees that you’re listening, but also that
you’re learning.
The result?
A rich corporate culture that pays off in everything from
productivity to profitability.