A mixture of remote and on-site work is rapidly becoming the new normal as the pandemic challenged workplace expectations. According to Gartner, at least 88% of organizations worked remotely at some point during the past two years.
In a post-Covid world, teams are demanding and adopting a more flexible hybrid working model, along with the best unified communications (UC) tools to help them succeed. However, this change has not come without challenges. Many workforces are new to the hybrid model, and such a change can cause unseen gaps or burdensome redundancies in internal communications for teams.
How can you identify ineffective internal communication? We’ll cover four of the most common signs below and how to mitigate them:
One of the earliest indicators of poor internal communication is a lack of trust. It can exist within teams or between management and employees, and stems from not knowing if your work is being recognized or appreciated.
Business Insider notes that remote silos are one of the most common causes of communication failure in a hybrid environment. It is important to establish trust through a regular cadence of communication that sets and meets expectations. Providing support and holding remote teams accountable is crucial for preventing the feeling that remote workers are on their own.
Also, having consistent one-on-one conversations between managers and employees via voice or video conferencing is a reliable way to ensure remote members feel supported and appreciated.
While some resistance to change is expected, another warning sign that internal communication is struggling is when teams appear highly resistant to change. This inability to adapt is a common sign of communication failure.
Such inflexibility typically results from employees trying to understand what new processes mean for them and how it will impact their work. Or it might involve reluctance with new software or communications platforms. These situations can be easily overlooked when communication is lacking since staff may not feel comfortable saying that something does not make sense to them.
The key to overcoming this communication gap is encouraging feedback on a regular basis while ensuring your team is properly trained on all their communications tools. Setting goals and clearly articulating expectations before, during, and after implementing each change will help as well.
Yet another sign that there are communication failures in your organization is that teams lack unifying goals and motivations. This natural tendency, kept somewhat in check when working on-site, can spiral out of control among remote staff.
Like the solution above, creating a common purpose relies on communicating specific objectives, clear deadlines, and expectations. Consider project management software like Asana or Monday.com to keep everyone on the same page and continue fostering conversation.
Teams with poor communications often have inconsistent communication channels which can create several additional problems. Is information being shared securely across the proper channels? Are your employees meeting regulatory requirements within your industry?
To give staff guidance, establish which information should be shared via which channel, and how to prioritize the importance of the information given. This includes both internal and external messaging, which channels work best for time-sensitive information, and acceptable turnaround times for replies.
Finding the right communication tools for your business goes a long way in bridging the communication gap. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you eliminate common communication failures, contact Converged Technology Professionals today.
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