Everything communicates

Everything communicates, like it or not! Words obviously communicate, but actions, behaviours and even silence also send strong messages.

Here’s some of my guiding principles for great internal communications
1. Communications should change behaviour. They should have one goal - improving performance. They should change the way people do their jobs

2. Communications should be recipient orientated. They must interest and touch the values of people if 1 above is to be achieved

3. We need managers and staff to receive the communication, return to their jobs and change – not necessarily carry on as they did before

4. Communications made to managers should be made to all people managers (not just senior managers) who should be asked to take responsibility for giving that information directly to their respective teams or reinforcing messages given by other means. Research has shown that employees preferred source of information is their immediate manager. (Source: Industrial Society)

5. Communications are consistent, open and honest, give facts and information - good news and bad news. It is important to give a balanced view in order to maintain credibility with staff.

6. Wherever possible communications should be made verbally with support from e-mail, print and other media

7. Where possible and relevant all staff communications should be delivered in a short space of time to all staff. This prevents some being “in the know” and some not.

What must Leaders do?
“When a wise man hears one thing and sees another they always believe what they see."
"The leader does not just get the message across - the leader is the message"
Leaders transmit formally and informally, and consciously and sub-consciously.

People sense whether or not to believe them on the basis of what they hear, and what they see and feel.  Generally people give more credence to the apparently sub-conscious messages that a leader transmits. Research into how face to face communication is received and responded to, suggests that impact depends on three factors with the following relative impact; 55 per cent body language, 38 per cent how you sound and 7 per cent actual words spoken.

Leaders can improve their impact by making sure they are more deliberate and consistent about their sub-conscious messages.

So what does this mean?  For some this is very natural and for others more unnatural – there is nothing wrong with either, it is just if leaders raise their game then people will respond. Heres some practical tips:-
o Don’t ignore people – say “Good Morning”!
o Walk the office floors more often, particularly in business areas where you are not directly responsible. Stop and talk to people.
o Be available for people to talk to
o Be interested in people, their jobs, environment and their issues

In summary, think about people all of the time. It is people that make the difference and they make businesses successful.

After all effective Leadership is the art of influencing others to do willingly what is directed so your business can achieve its goals.