Poor Communication and Stress
Even as organizations explore new
communication methods to increase productivity and improve the mental
state. For an organization, productivity and success depends mainly on
the well-being and mental health of its employees.
Over communication and confusion
In today’s digital world, there
is an overabundance of communication tools available. Companies can pick
and choose from these options or use them all. In the case
of many organizations, management adopts the “more the merrier” mind
frame. Although their efforts to create more communication opportunities
are valiant, too many tools can be a curse for employees. The biggest
complaint found is that being told to use multiple communication tools
deals a blow to their productivity. 35% of employees say their company
does not provide guidance on how and when to use communication tools. (Sanders, 2019)
Lack of communication and suspicion
Lack of information creates a
sense of distrust that should not exist inside a successful
organization. Rumors are a powerful thing, and when the employees are
not privy to the inner workings of their organization, the gossip
ensues. Unlike open and honest communications, this sharing of
information is detrimental and spreads negativity throughout the organization. Under-communication
leaves a gap that your employees will fill with their doubts and
insecurities. The best way to defeat those feelings is to encourage an
open flow of communication and a culture of recognition.
Manager relations and increased stress
According
to a Holmes report (2019), the cost of poor communication has hit an
overwhelming $37 billion. This report also found that companies with
leaders who possess effective communication skills produced a 47 percent
higher return to shareholders over a five-year period. Take strides to
make sure that your employees feel valued, satisfied and most of all
heard. A workplace where employees feel valued enough to breed security
and safe enough to communicate important information is ideal. This
attention to stress and employee mental health increases your chances of
preventing any mental health troubles in the future.
Sanders, G. (2019). 10 Things We Learned in 2018 about Employee Communication and Engagement | Dynamic Signal. [online] Dynamic Signal. Available at: https://dynamicsignal.com/2018/12/14/10-things-we-learned-in-2018-about-employee-communication-and-engagement/ [Accessed 19 April 2019].
References
Report, H. and Report, H. (2019). The Cost Of Poor Communications. [online] Holmesreport.com. Available at: https://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/the-cost-of-poor-communications [Accessed 19 April 2019].Sanders, G. (2019). 10 Things We Learned in 2018 about Employee Communication and Engagement | Dynamic Signal. [online] Dynamic Signal. Available at: https://dynamicsignal.com/2018/12/14/10-things-we-learned-in-2018-about-employee-communication-and-engagement/ [Accessed 19 April 2019].
True,High-stress levels in the workplace are a huge sign that there are communication problems. Poor communication can create a feeling that everything on your to-do list is urgent, causing you and others to hurry, feel tense, overworked and have little-to-no sense of humor. Good communication is reasoning for stability and predictability, but lack of communication introduces a sense of fear that causes tension.
ReplyDeleteTrue, For example if you are working in a small company it's difficult to prioritize work because every single customer is important and each customer would want their work to be our highest priority even though it's not possible to do that. In that case HR should recommend to place an employee to deal with customers and let others work in peace or scale proportionately. And top management should make it a point to lay down the priorities and clearly mention the next steps.
DeleteVery important topic to talk about.Poor communication is frustrating in the workplace that can lead to poor performance and lack of team work.
ReplyDeleteYes, Correct.
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ReplyDeleteGood communication between all levels in the workplace, from top management to the lower level management is an effective way of combating stress. The management should encourage having open communication with its staff by holding regular meetings to relay further developments and that gives an opportunity for the workers as well to express their opinion. This way of improving communication flow and sharing information are considered to be the most important and effective measures to be taken to reduce stress-free environment in an organization.
ReplyDeleteReference
Ganapathi, Nalina. (2012). Workplace Stress: The need for Communication and Knowledge Sharing.
As you have mentioned, having a proper communication method from the top to the bottom level will help in managing employee’s stress. When assigning a task or project its important managers to communicate clearly what is exactly expected from it. This will make employee’s life easier by knowing what exactly need to be done is and achieving it.
ReplyDeleteAlready employees are overloaded with work, sometimes they don’t have time to think beyond what they need to do than doing what is assigned to them, at such situations proper communication is important. Also when an employee is not performing or if there are any changes seen in it etc.. it is again important to communicate that to them in order to correct their selves. Likewise communication effects in an employee’s life in various ways understanding the situation and having proper communication will help to manage stress that employees are facing.