3 reasons why transparency and consistency are key to employee communication strategy
Communication strategy plays a quintessential role in filling the gaps between internal and external communication. Internal communication is what an organization has with its employees. External communication means the content shared outside the firm, such as corporate communication, press releases and more.
To ensure that both these kinds of organizational communication remain aligned, it is important to have consistency and transparency. That is why these communications should support each other. We explain three reasons why it is essential to be crystal clear and versatile when it comes to employee communication within a firm.
It begets trust
This report by Gallup highlights three key points, one of which is that consistent and transparent messages help in building trust and higher employee engagement. It is quite overwhelming that as many as 63% of the employees within an organization have no trust over their CEO because they believe their top leaders and CEO aren’t credible enough. Among many reasons for this lack of trust is poor employee communication, and misalignment between internal and external dialogue. The message shared with social media channels of a company, PR campaigns, company’s website, and with the employees should be aligned, transparent and consistent so as to build trust.
To have a stronger trust building, it is essential that the internal communication strategy remains on-point. The message shared with external stakeholders must be the same as that with the employees so as to foster unity and trust in the workplace.
It fosters alignment
With the new-era employees and constant evolution in the modern workplace, there has been an increased development of the concept of “need to know”. The information today is just a click away. Sharing product reviews, innermost thoughts of the top brass of a company, expectations from an employee, and vision and mission of a company must be communicated in a transparent and consistent manner with the employees to foster alignment.
Having all employees, including the top leadership, frontline employees and managers, on the same page when it comes to vision, is essential. Communication standards, ethics of a firm, goals, plans and business objectives have to resonate with employees so as to make them turn into reality. When all employees are aligned with the vision and thought of a company, there’s a little room for miscommunication.
However, if the balance of communication fumbles or even a single employee remains off-track, it significantly affects everyone down the line.
It helps in talent retention
We have already discussed extensively why talent retention is quintessential for any organization. Job-hop has come to be known as a trend of the new-age employees who are more enticed towards power, authority and monetary benefits. However, what most organizations do not understand is that the new-age employees, which mostly comprises millennials, want to feel valued and be engaged into their organization, more than anything else. No longer do these employees remain satisfied with mediocre designations or jobs.
Clear and consistent communication within an organization keeps the employees engaged, which in turn helps in their retention. If they’re treated right and communicated effectively about expectations, objectives and company’s values, they will go the extra mile for your organization.
What millennials and new-age employees want in an organization is actually good for any business. Such “demands” of better, transparent and consistent communication are directly linked with greater business outcomes, increased profits and positive workplace culture change. New-age employees aren’t just working for their paycheck anymore. They look for a purpose or workplace spirituality in any organization.
