Effective communication is the No. 1 ingredient to build and sustain an effective workplace culture. However, according to our recent survey, just 26% of knowledge workers strongly agree their leaders are good at it.
So, what does it take for leaders to be successful at effective communication? It starts with recognizing that communication is about much more than just exchanging information — it’s about ensuring that the information is understood, acted upon and drives progress. It’s also absolutely essential that communication about the culture leaders are trying to create be consistent, clear, compelling, even repetitive. Just saying it is not enough; leaders have to role model it.
Feedback plays a crucial role in this process — it serves as the bridge between delivering a message and confirming its intended impact. Without honest two-way feedback, communication can deteriorate, leading to misunderstandings, apathy, misalignment within teams, and a breakdown in trust.
Ensure Mutual Understanding and Alignment
If there are any misunderstandings, feedback allows for immediate clarification and ensures that everyone is on the same page relative to expectations and performance. Leaders can confirm that each team member understands their role and the tasks they need to complete and answer any questions that team members may have. Without this feedback loop, misinterpretations may go unnoticed, leading to mistakes, delays or even failure to meet objectives.
Feedback also plays a crucial role in ensuring that all team members are aligned with the company’s goals and objectives. It is critical in helping employees understand how their work contributes to the broader mission and are moving in the same direction and working toward the same goals.
Drive Continuous Improvement and Accountability
Beyond promoting clarity, feedback is a powerful tool for fostering a culture of learning and development. Regular feedback promotes ongoing development by highlighting areas of strength and areas needing improvement. Constructive feedback helps individuals and teams learn from mistakes and refine their approaches. The process of receiving, analyzing and acting on feedback is crucial for personal and organizational growth and innovation.
Moreover, feedback holds individuals accountable for their actions and performance. It provides a mechanism for monitoring progress and making necessary adjustments along the way. Regular feedback sessions allow leaders to address any issues promptly, ensuring that small problems don’t escalate into larger ones.
Build Trust and Engagement
Feedback is instrumental in building and maintaining trust, the foundation of strong relationships. When leaders and team members consistently provide and seek feedback, it creates an environment of openness and mutual respect.
Two-way feedback fosters trust by requiring leaders and team members to listen deeply and regularly, ensure psychological safety so people speak freely without fear of repercussions, ask clarifying questions, and repeat back what they heard and what they will do as a result. This allows everyone to feel heard and know their concerns and ideas are effecting change.
Given this, feedback signals to employees that their opinions are valued and their contributions matter. This helps to create a sense of belonging and engagement, which is critical for team cohesion and morale. When employees feel seen, heard and recognized through positive feedback, they are more likely to stay motivated and committed to their work. Similarly, when they receive constructive feedback, they know the organization is invested in their development, which helps to boost their dedication and performance.
Encourage Positive Behaviors and Prevent Conflicts
Feedback is also about reinforcing positive behaviors. Positive feedback recognizes and rewards good performance, encouraging employees to continue those behaviors. This reinforcement helps to establish a culture of excellence, where high standards are consistently met.
Constructive feedback, on the other hand, helps to address issues before they become major problems. By providing timely and specific feedback, leaders can prevent conflicts and misunderstandings from escalating. Taking a proactive approach to communication helps maintain a positive work environment where issues are resolved quickly and effectively.
In conclusion, feedback is not just a component of effective communication — it is the catalyst that makes communication meaningful and impactful. Without feedback, communication is a one-way street. By integrating regular feedback into all forms of communication, leaders can ensure clarity, promote continuous learning and foster a positive, engaged workplace culture.
Cheryl Fields Tyler is founder and CEO of Blue Beyond Consulting, a boutique management consulting firm focused on the people side of business, taking an integrated approach to culture, talent, communications, leading and managing people, change management, and organizational effectiveness. A sought-after speaker and advisor, Tyler is also lead author of the forthcoming study,The Blueprint for Thriving: Critical Insights for Business Leaders.
Did You Know: According to Blue Beyond’s 2024 survey, respondents largely agree on the factors for an effective workplace culture: effective communication (95%), effective people managers (93%), leaders who are good role models (92%), clear goals and accountabilities (92%), effective collaboration (91%), trust and psychological safety (90%), an environment that fosters learning and growth (90%), and programs that support employee well-being (90%).
