Feedback and Innovation at the Best Places to Work

“Talk Less, Listen More.”

When it comes to communication, is listening more important than speaking?

Social distancing, remote work, and constant organisational change are reshaping the way that communication transpires in organisations.

Historically, downward communication was considered to be the most important type of communication in the workplace. Today, organisations are increasingly employee-centric, and upward communication is rising in its importance.  

The last two years have increased employers’ awareness of their employees’ wellbeing, safety, and productivity while working from home. Upward communication strategies have enabled opportunities for employees to speak up. 

Listening to employees creates a sense of ownership and commitment. When leaders genuinely listen to employees, the results can be transformative.

Upward communication is present among organisations that successfully build and encourage an inclusive, participative, and engaging workplace culture. Companies that foster upward communication enjoy many benefits such as workplace transparency, better team collaboration, easier decision-making and, therefore, better employee experience. 

Creating opportunities for feedback is the cornerstone of any innovative approach and our team members are a great source of information and ideas on how the organisation can stay competitive. These insights allow organisations to adapt, evolve, and grow. Innovation does not only affect your ability to be successful with clients; it also plays a large role in the engagement and retention of your employees.

Create a Culture of Upward Communication in the Workplace

Today, when many employees work remotely, managers are introducing new ways to connect with their teams via digital communication channels. 

#1 Get the leaders’ buy-in

Leaders play the most important role in driving upward communication in the workplace. Therefore, the first step in building such culture is to get leaders’ buy-in. Senior leaders should create a culture of listening in the workplace. Mid-level leaders, supervisors, and team leaders should open the line to two-way communications.

#2 Understand your audience

In order for organisations to switch their focus to upward communication, they first need to understand their employees. More precisely, organisations need to understand the differences amongst their workforce and adapt their communication efforts accordingly.

Demographic differentiation can affect the language in messages flowing through upward channels to managers. If you want your employees to speak up and join daily company conversations, communication needs to be personal and relevant to what they do.

#3 Create channels for employees to express their ideas and concerns

One-way communications channels such as company-wide email newsletters are not collaborative. Organisations need to turn to communication channels available and inclusive to the entire workplace.

If you want your employees to engage in upward communication, consider creating communication channels designated for your employees to ask questions, comment on leadership announcements, engage with one another, and provide their feedback.

#4 Encourage employee-generated content

One of the best ways to show your employees the importance of upward communication, and encourage them to speak up, is by allowing them to create and share their own content in the organisation. Consider implementing workplace communication solutions where leaders are not the only ones driving the conversations. Encourage regular employees to create and publish their own stories and make them visible to others.

#5 Support your leaders with knowledge and tools

In order for leaders to drive meaningful conversations with their teams, they need to possess good communication skills and have the access to the right technology to engage their digital workplace.

Oftentimes, internal communications professionals are the ones who support managers in mastering their employee communication strategy. They work closely together to find the best ways to connect with their teams, build stronger relationships, and drive upward communication.

#6 Encourage leaders to be authentic and approachable

We are increasingly seeing leaders engage in company-wide conversations. During the current pandemic, employees are expecting from leaders to speak to them, share important news and updates, and invite them to share their own thoughts and concerns. Leaders need to communicate in an authentic way and be approachable if they want to experience the benefits of upward communication. 

#7 Measure your employees’ engagement

Driving and improving upward communication in the workplace is only possible when you know what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong. Organisations need to understand what type of content employees engage with in order to make future, data-drive decisions.