Why Respectful Communication Matters in the Workplace
We all know the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. We learned it in Kindergarten, if not earlier. And while you may not think about this elementary school adage when it comes to the corporate world, it definitely applies; especially when it comes to communication. Regardless of the type of communication (verbal vs written), or who you are communicating with (intern or CEO), you need to think about how you would ideally want those interactions to take place if you were in their shoes, and act accordingly.
Consider how you or an employee may treat a member of the janitorial staff; the standard should be set that they are treated with the same level of respect as the CEO. This level of respectful communication is imperative when establishing and maintaining a healthy work environment across the entirety of your business. Generating a culture which fosters effective, respectful communication can improve productivity, teamwork and employee engagement; it has the ability to impact the entire employee experience during their tenure with your organization.
Respectful communication may seem simple enough, but it’s a little more complex than just speaking nicely to others. Proper communication includes not only your tone of voice when speaking with employees, but also timeliness of communication efforts, consistency, inclusiveness of said dialogue and discussions, and perhaps most importantly, truthfulness. Honesty is what respectful communication is built on; working to adopt such an approach in all interactions allows for fairness to thrive, which not only improves communication, but overall employee experience and effectiveness as well.
Respectful communication makes people feel valued, motivated, and safe. A well-functioning work environment should have these core tenants implemented across all levels of the organization, regardless of hierarchy (i.e. a managing director should adhere to the same guidelines for respectful communication as an entry-level employee would, and vice versa), and across all functions of communication, including written or email communication, verbal communication, eye contact and body language, and especially in this post-pandemic era, phone and virtual communication.
Respectful communication matters because respect and effectiveness, we’ve learned, truly go hand in hand. The more respectful the communication, the more effective your team and your business will be across all functional levels. This standard should be set from an employee’s initial interaction with your organization through the entirety of their tenure. Ideally, what a prospective employee experiences during the interview process should match the communication efforts on day one, day 15, or day 500. Think about how you communicate with external clients or guests; a similar strategy should be implemented for internal communication. Speaking with your employees as equally as you would a top client further enhances both team unity and feelings of value and purpose.
Keep in mind that respectful communication does not mean constructive criticism cannot occur. Clear guidelines should be established with an explicit action plan for how to communicate effectively across team members and departments. Consider a communication plan that includes transcribing meeting minutes so everyone remains on the same page, in addition to proper email groups so no one is left out of daily communications or reminders. Also, providing constructive feedback that is timely and effective allows for employees to learn and grow within their roles. Keep the theme of ‘praise in public, provide feedback in private’ in mind when determining how and when to communicate employee improvement plans.
In short, respectful communication is the responsibility of everyone. Honesty, inclusiveness, timeliness, location where applicable and tone should all be considered. Respectful communication, employee value, and team effectiveness go hand in hand, so being consistent in your communication efforts is imperative. Develop a plan for your organization that emphasizes active listening, honoring differing opinions, and avoiding gossip. These simple tactics can yield sizable results as it relates to the importance of effective communication within your organization, allowing you to set a foundation of respect throughout your business.
