Lighthouse Consulting Services, LLC

Studies show that when management uses a supportive communicational style in the workplace, employee satisfaction and productivity increases. Additionally, many organizations find that when employees are better skilled in effective communication, their ability to listen to instructions and communicate with coworkers and supervisors improves. Introducing your workers to these specific communication techniques through LCS workshops not only helps you save money, but increases the return on a valuable investment: your employees.

One example of how communication impacts workflow and performance is outlined below:

A sales manager needs to complete a proposal ASAP. While giving harried instructions to her staff, the manager comes across brusquely and gives unclear instructions. Because of the way the message is “delivered,” the staff members are more focused on the manager’s poor communication rather than the task at hand. Rather than approaching her with any questions they have, the take the instructions “as is,” and proceed with the assignment anyways.

After completing the project with what limited information they had, the staff delivers the proposal to their manager. Finding that the proposal did not meet her initial requirements, the manager gets extremely upset. Due to the pressing deadline, she may snap at her team members, creating resentment and hurt feelings.

On the one hand, the staff members may increasingly view their manager as insensitive and demanding. On the other, the manager may believe that her staff doesn’t listen or follow directions well. And unless something changes, the cycle of unproductive behavior will continue.

What could this team have done to break the cycle of unproductive behavior? If all parties involved had training to improve their communication skills, the work would likely have been done right the first time. The manager would be able to give clearer instructions and encourage her staff to ask questions. Team members would feel comfortable approaching her if there was any confusion about the project requirements or other issues. And the manager would be able devote her focus on the next project, rather than correcting the present one.

Clearly, good communication skills are critical to a productive work environment. Introducing your workers to these specific communication techniques through LCS workshops not only helps you save money, but increases the return on a valuable investment – your employees.