Communication is a key enabler of organizational success; communication drives higher emotional engagement and commitment among the employees and creates alignment and clarity towards achieving the goals of the organization. 

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Without communication, employees can't know what’s expected of them, how to achieve their goals, or where to find support. And while the topic of organizational communication is a large and complex one, we will tackle in this article the aspect of “reciprocity of communication”.

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A crucial part of effective communication is reciprocity — when communication becomes a two-way street. Two-way communication allows each individual to participate freely and meaningfully. 

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Working on a two-way communication strategy will tap into employee insights, and help them feel more connected to each other, to leaders and to the company as a whole. Organizations that hope to enable their employees to engage at work and bring their best to work have no choice but create a culture of two-way communication.

Why Two-Way Communication Matters? 

• Better ideas: Bouncing ideas off colleagues is one of the best ways to innovate and share perspectives.

• Stronger teams: Developing authentic, meaningful relationships with colleagues can help them feel more connected and accountable to each other and to their shared goals. 

• Improved performance: The better a company communicates, the easier it is for everyone to perform better at a quicker pace, increasing the productivity and performance of an organization as a whole.

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Strategies for Encouraging Two-Way Communication

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1. Let company executives lead by example: 

First and before trying anything else, HR Leaders should work with senior executives to create a clear culture of seeking communication from employees at all levels. Having leaders model and endorse the values of two-way communication will help employees (especially first line managers) across the organization see it, value it, and understand how to implement it themselves.

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2. Ensure a regular rhythm of 1-on-1 meetings between managers and their team members:

Regular one-on-one meetings (ideally weekly) create one of the most important venues for employees to discuss their progress, challenges, ideas, dependencies and other topics. HR leaders should support managers by adopting clear systems that require such meetings to take place according to schedule.

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3. Invest in tools that make communication easy: 

Inter-office communication like instant messaging or employee feedback tools make it easier to share information in hybrid workplaces where employees have to communicate remotely or across time zones.

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4. Recognize and reward employee contributions:

Turn positive feedback into a celebration by publicly sharing wins during meetings, via instant messaging, or in department-wide emails. 

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5. Make your office space more accessible.

Having open office doors is a way to make leaders more accessible to those seeking direct contact to express their thoughts and ideas. 

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Conducting a survey about your current communication norms and finding out what your employees need is the perfect place to start. Contact the Engagesoft team today and get started with your personalized survey.