Effective open communication within a business is one of the crucial factors for success within any workplace, allowing employees to understand their roles and responsibilities, share ideas, and also collaborative effectively.
Many business leaders and organisations strongly champion a culture of open and transparent communication, yet still find it a challenge to foster it within their teams.
But what if LinkedIn and artificial intelligence (AI) had the answers?
This was put to the test in a collaborative article on LinkedIn. Collaborative articles start off as AI-powered conversation starters developed by LinkedIn’s editorial team. Members of the social media platform’s community are then allowed to provide insights and perspectives on different areas. The replies are combined, and a summarised response is then generated.
These articles were updated late last year, with a new layout aimed at placing more emphasis on users’ contributions rather than the AI-powered text, while also increasing these articles’ reach.
The prompts cover areas ranging from specialist topics to broader ones such as leadership and technology.
One of the questions that was recently brought up was: “You’re starting a new leadership role. How can you cultivate transparency and openness in team communication?”
As at the time of writing, this prompt has got more than 150 replies from contributors working in a host of areas, including consultancy, recruitment, and mentorship, among others.
So, what did LinkedIn users and AI advise new business leaders to do?
1) Lead by example
First of all, LinkedIn and AI suggested that new business leaders should focus on being transparent and open as much as possible.
“Share your thought processes, decisions, and the reasons behind them. When your team sees you communicating openly, they are more likely to reciprocate,” the article suggested.
Business leaders need to acknowledge their mistakes and show that it is safe to discuss failures without any fear of potential retaliation.
This enables them to build a foundation of trust that encourages team members to be more open with their ideas, concerns, and feedback.
2) Listen actively
Active listening is one the fundamental elements of effective communication and good leadership.
Business leaders have to pay close attention to what their team members say and also show genuine interest in their thoughts and input.
“Ask clarifying questions to fully understand their perspectives and acknowledge their contributions. When team members feel heard, they are more likely to share openly and honestly, leading to a more transparent work environment,” the LinkedIn users and AI said.
3) Encourage dialogue
A healthy business environment is one where team members ultimately feel comfortable about speaking up.
LinkedIn users and AI were in agreement, stating that leaders need to encourage regular team meetings where everyone can voice their opinions and ideas.
“Create a safe space for dialogue by ensuring that all contributions are valued and respected. When team members see that their input has an impact on decision-making, they will be more motivated to communicate openly,” they added.
4) Provide feedback
Feedback is a crucial quality that allows for business growth from all fronts.
This does not only improve work performance, but also allows business leaders to motivate their employees so that they can correct their mistakes and approach a project or idea in a different way.
This was backed up by LinkedIn users and AI’s replies, noting that feedback “is an essential tool for growth and transparency.”
“Offer constructive feedback regularly and encourage your team to do the same for each other. Make sure to highlight both strengths and areas for improvement,” they continued.
It was noted that once feedback becomes a normal part of a team’s routine, it “paves the way for a more open and honest communication culture.”
5) Set clear expectations
In order for communication to be transparent, the team must ultimately understand the importance of transparency and what it contributes to the overall success of the team.
As a result, business leaders need to set clear expectations about communication practices within their team to avoid any potential misunderstandings.
“Define what transparency means in your context and how it should be applied in daily interactions. When everyone is on the same page about the importance of openness and how to achieve it, it becomes easier to maintain a transparent communication flow,” the LinkedIn users and AI commented.
6) Build trust
Trust is at the heart of everything in communication. Without this, employees are less likely to show their authentic selves, opting to hide their honest thoughts, feelings, and ideas instead.
However, trust takes quite some time to build, especially for a new business leader who is just stepping into the role.
Despite this, every step one takes towards openness contributes to a stronger foundation of trust, the LinkedIn users and AI advised. Business leaders can delegate tasks and give employees autonomy to make decisions, thus showing that they are placing their trust in them.
“As trust grows, so will the ease and openness of communication within your team,” they affirmed.
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