Good communication demonstrates respect for people and shows them their views and opinions are value

 Good communication builds knowledge and commitment; people who are involved and kept in the picture feel part of things and are able do their jobs to the best of their ability. The opposite-secrets, being kept in the dark, receiving little communication-makes people left out, vulnerable and exposed, which fuels an `us and them’ atmosphere of mistrust. 

 Effective communication is both a sign of successful empowerment, and the means to ensure it happens. Regular and unrestricted communication won’t happen without effort and persistence. The bigger the organization, the more through and systematic must be the communication. The communication process can be usefully mapped out to ensure you engage employees with differing needs at all levels and function.

 Good communication means good listening

 Communication in an empowered organization will be open, two –way and frequent. There needs to be demonstrable good listening, feedback mechanisms and regular information and discussion about how the organization is doing. This sends strong message about the value of employees. Good communication demonstrates respect for people and shows them their views and opinions are valued.

 This is turn to employees more willing to make their own decisions and to suggest ideas. Nissan UK reckon that ninety percent of changes to its current production come from people doing the job.

 One large management development consultancy has created a program called `Team Listening.’ The company recognizes that staff is provided with information through in –house business journal and notice boards, yet they often do not v a forum in which to discuss issues. `Team Listening’ encourages the manager to spend time in sessions with staff, during which he or she spends only five minutes talking, the rest listening.  

 But many organizations who have undertaken employee surveys found that managers are not to listen genuinely. One company which was publicly aspiring to empowerment collected these responses from its attitude survey.

 `People are sometimes taken for granted.’ `Managers do not listen to employees-especially on day-to- day gripes.’ `There are too many managers who do not understand people issues.’

 If these comments are representative, managers can not be surprised that they fail to get sufficient interest in improving the quality of the organization through empowerment.

 Externally too, customers and supplies need good two way communication. Some organizations for example regularly send out a customer newsletter.

 A reminder on communication skills

To ensure the people feel respected and understood.