Workplace communication has gone through many changes in the past several years, thanks to the tech boom and the way that information travels at lightning speed through digital devices these days. But despite all of these changes, one element of communication still holds true today as much as it did when you were in elementary school—transparency. When it comes to your career, transparency can significantly affect how effective your workplace relationships are and even how successful you are at your job itself.
Here’s why workplace transparency matters and how you can improve upon this vital quality.
What is workplace transparency?
Workplace transparency is the degree to which a manager or company shares information about its decisions with employees. With transparency, employees can understand what’s happening within the organization and how their efforts tie into the bigger picture. Transparent workplaces can also reduce employee turnover rates by making them feel like they’re part of the team and that their work is valued.
The benefits of workplace transparency
There are many benefits to an open and transparent workplace. Employees will feel more valued when they are allowed to have their voices heard, and a lack of transparency can breed mistrust within your company. Clear communication leads to increased productivity, less time wasted on understanding what everyone else is doing, and increased employee morale. Plus, it’s easier for leaders to do their job without feeling like they’re being left out of the loop.
Communication flows freely in an open workspace because there is no need for secrets or hidden agendas. The result is a culture where people can learn from each other’s successes and mistakes without fear of retribution. When employees know they can influence change, they’ll be more engaged with their work than ever before.
How to create a more transparent workplace
To make your workplace more transparent, start by looking at how you communicate with your employees. How often do they feel like they’re hearing what they want to hear instead of the truth? How often are they confused by conflicting messages or unclear instructions? These are all indications that you need to work on becoming more transparent.
The following list will help you get started:
- Break down big projects into smaller tasks so that your employees can clearly understand their responsibilities and when things will be done.
- Make sure that everyone is on the same page about company goals and objectives so there’s no confusion about priorities.
- Provide regular updates about new products and policies to keep people informed about changes.
The importance of open communication in the workplace
When you think about the word communication, what comes to mind? Perhaps words like conversation or discussion. But what about the actual process of communication? In our day-to-day lives, we communicate with others in various ways. We use words, gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice and body language. Though we may not often give it a second thought, the way that we communicate is actually important.
If you’d like to learn more about how you can support your workforce effectively, the team at PrideStaff wants to hear from you. Contact us today.
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