Are You Speaking Their Language or Just Talking?

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The Great Communication Disconnect is Here.

Communication in the workplace isn’t just about sending messages; it’s about ensuring those messages are understood and resonate with the audience. Yet, a pervasive disconnect exists.

Leaders speak, but are employees truly listening?

The Perception Misalignment

One of the critical issues that I highlighted in the Mind the Gap presentation for students of the University of Portsmouth, UK is the discrepancy between what leaders believe they’re communicating and how it’s actually perceived by employees. For instance, while 42% of Gen Z workers prefer face-to-face communication, organizations might be inundating them with digital messages, ignoring their preference for meaningful human interaction.

Biases and Theories at Play

Several cognitive biases contribute to this disconnect:

• Primacy Effect Biases: Leaders may overemphasize the importance of initial communications, assuming their first messages set a permanent tone.
• Attribution Errors: Misinterpreting employees' actions or lack of engagement as disinterest rather than potential miscommunication.
• Sensory Perceptual Filters: Employees process information through their unique filters, which can distort the intended message.

These biases lead to assumptions that hinder effective communication, making it essential for leaders to adopt a more empathetic and nuanced approach.

The Real Cost of Poor Communication

The repercussions are severe. Misaligned communication leads to decreased employee trust, lower engagement rates, and a fractured organizational culture. The IC Index 2024 notes that only 25% of leaders are perceived as genuinely engaged and inspiring, while employee engagement hovers around a dismal 23%.

Bridging the Gap

To overcome this, organizations must:

• Embrace Active Listening: Shift from a monologue to a dialogue, where employee feedback is not just heard but acted upon.
• Align Actions with Words: Ensure that leadership actions consistently reflect their communicated values and promises.
• Customize Communication Strategies: Tailor communication methods to suit the diverse preferences of different employee groups, particularly younger generations who value authentic human connections.

Inclusive internal communications is the way forward to change the game and be trusted. Read more in my book: https://lnkd.in/gumGyC46

What do you think?

Do you feel your workplace communication is effective, or is there a significant disconnect?

How can leaders better align their messages with employee perceptions?

Keen to hear what you think will help create a more connected and engaged workforce.

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Who am I?

I am Aniisu, an award-winning internal communications and change leader helping individuals and organizations discover and develop their 'sweet-spot' through effective communications. As a Linkedin Top Voice for Internal Communications & Personal Branding based in Sydney, Australia, I offer insights, perspectives and solutions at the intersection of these two evolving domains. I believe that organizations are an amalgamation of employees as 'personal brands' and when we include, involve and inspire staff as partners of change, together we can amplify our presence and advocacy.

Subscribe to my Linkedin newsletter and join over 6990+ passionate professionals to get weekly insights that will help you succeed at work and beyond.

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#communication #IC #perceptions #biases #change #GenZ #disconnect #trust

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