Often, effective communication at work is what separates a good manager from a great one. An active manager who communicates well both verbally and on the page builds positive relationships between team members, managers and executives.
Communication in the workplace clarifies organizational goals and helps coworkers collaborate. This fundamental business practice establishes a committed and productive workforce that can effectively coordinate with diverse groups. For these reasons, developing excellent communication skills is a core learning outcome in a quality Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program like the one offered fully online by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
The Skills Employers Want
According to the 2022 Corporate Recruiters Survey from GMAC, hiring managers highly value the communication skills that business school graduates bring to the table. Having strong communication skills topped the list of employers’ cited reasons for their high level of confidence in business school graduates, followed by versatility and strategic thinking.
In order of importance, the reasons for employers’ confidence in new hires from business schools are that recent graduates:
- Possess strong communication skills
- Are equipped with versatile skill sets
- Can think strategically
- Are generally innovative
- Can navigate the complex global business environment
- Have the skills needed to succeed in leadership roles
- Can take on the challenges of technological disruption
- Do not need extensive on-the-job training
Conversely, a lack of communication in the workforce can profoundly hinder an organization. Poor communication can lead to an apathetic workforce and poor customer service, resulting in decreased sales.
Plus, the shift to remote and hybrid work models has introduced new communication channels workers must become proficient with. And the learning curve can present challenges, negatively impacting team communication, collaboration and productivity. According to the “State of Business Communication” survey from Grammarly and The Harris Poll, 86% of knowledge workers polled deal with communication issues at work. Findings from the report suggest that poor communication costs U.S. businesses up to $1.2 trillion per year.
Benefits of Effective Communication at Work
Sharing critical information, such as organizational goals and key projects, is an essential component of effective communication in the workplace. Making this information freely available helps employees understand their roles in the company, which improves internal support for the company’s strategic vision. Communicating and inspiring alignment with a organization’s vision and goals is a central part of impactful leadership. This offers several benefits:
- Positive, engaged employees
- Improved teamwork, collaboration and innovation
- Increased levels of trust
- Consistent, shared effort
- Two-way discussions
- Shared strategic understanding and goal alignment
- Stronger client relationships
- Improved conflict resolution and ethical behavior
Communication in a Diverse Workplace
Today’s technological advances can increase businesses’ global reach, enabling them to connect with diverse groups and multinational teams. This is effective communication at work, and it establishes trust while removing linguistic and cultural barriers between businesses and their global markets. Because different cultures process information and language differently, the following strategies can help businesses reach as many markets as possible:
- Learn the idiosyncrasies of each culture
- Develop cultural awareness programs for employees
- Assign a mentor to oversee message delivery
- Avoid jargon and metaphors that could cause cultural confusion
- Communicate with empathy instead of humor that could be misunderstood
- Whenever possible, use graphics
Communication Fundamentals Are Key in an Online MBA Program
With the increasing need for effective communication at work, enrolling in an online Master of Business Administration program may be the key to reaching your full potential as a business leader. An online MBA program will help you solve real-world problems, communicate both orally and in writing, reach diverse audiences and prepare for a broad spectrum of business responsibilities in the global marketplace.
Learn more about the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi online MBA program.
