A company's results are soaring. Goals are met and successes are achieved. But the talented people who drive these results are leaving the organization one by one. Consequently, the results will eventually stop soaring. Processes and goals are scrutinized. Interventions follow, but they don't solve anything. As trainers, we usually quickly realize that the core issue lies elsewhere entirely. But how do we convince our client of this?
Less clear
Research indicates that approximately 80% of problems within an organization stem from miscommunication. 80%! In medical organizations and, for instance, aviation, miscommunication can lead to serious accidents and sometimes even fatalities. It's that critical. The reality is that when we experience miscommunication, our thinking becomes less clear. Literally. And when our thinking isn't clear, we fail to utilize our talents. Yet, by using our talents, we feel valued, effective, and happy. If we don't, then - simply put - we become unhappy and ineffective. This, in turn, creates a fertile ground for problems within an organization.
Elusive
So, communication. And when that doesn't go well: miscommunication. How can you make something intangible concrete? When results lag, leaders or managers often look for solutions in processes or goals. While… the solution rarely lies there.
This understanding takes time. It's also not something we lecture clients about. We know firsthand how challenging it can be to communicate effectively and reach everyone. Together with the client, we explore why previous solutions are no longer working. This often sparks a deeper conversation that goes beyond processes and business interventions.
__We've noticed that teams are no longer getting along well. There's less laughter in the workplace. We feel that people are less satisfied. We want to create a 'great place to work,' but how? __
Insight: there's more to it than meets the eye
And this is how we help clients realize: there's more to this. Step by step, we get to the core together. There's something wrong with the way we interact. Or rather, not necessarily wrong, but certainly open to improvement. And then we have the key to success. Because genuine connection and contact are crucial for an organization to thrive. If you want people to hear what you have to say, speak their language. Is it that simple? Yes, it is.
Sand in the gears
Communication is the oil that keeps an organization running smoothly. We can build processes and components, but they also need to be connected. That's what good communication does. If it doesn't run well and there's static on the line, it's like sand in the engine – it seizes up. Conversely, the quality of communication is crucial for success and motivation. This also applies to a team, for example. The internal contact, the way the team interacts with each other; the more this is in order, the better the results. Thus, communication truly serves as a guiding element for a safe, healthy, and motivating work environment. And we didn't come up with that ourselves; MIT has already done that for us.
Do you also want to speak the language of others and reach your team? Feel free to read on.
