Communication is the Key to Being an Effective Manager

When you are in a management position you have a lot to do. You have a lot of responsibility. One of them is to communicate effectively with the people under you. I’ve known managers who, when not in a meeting, leave their doors open and encourage people to drop in and chat. Others designate one morning or afternoon a week to walk around the office and check in with everyone. What you don’t want to be perceived as is The Wizard of Oz who rarely comes out from behind a closed door.

Communicating with your employees often builds trust. It also creates an atmosphere where opening up a dialogue feels natural and not a major event. It also gives you a chance to inspire and encourage them in their work, which will have a positive effect on the bottom line. Here is an article we like on engaging employees: https://hbr.org/2015/04/what-great-managers-do-to-engage-employees

Frequent communication also keeps a lid on the gossip/paranoia train that can occur in a company and erode morale. Employees often look for signs in their managers, and without direct communication your slightest bad mood can turn into a semaphore for oncoming disaster. Your efforts at communicating will create good will, inspire loyalty and employee engagement. Studies have shown that frequency of communication and especially clear communication of expectations leads to improved profitability and employee performance.  

So take a break from your paperwork, leave your office, and start talking.