How Communication Motivates People in the Workplace

In the corporate world today, most of the work is done in teams. That's why, besides the educational qualifications, in order to be an effective and productive employee, a person should possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

The team lead too, on his part, motivates each of the team members, to do their individual jobs efficiently as well as achieve the team goals, through effective communication.

Formal communication is the one which takes place between two employees, an employee and a manager or a manager and his team, so that the office work can be done properly.

Conveying rules and regulations, guidelines, giving feedback, instructions, orders, handling complaints, etc - all these are examples of formal communication in an office.

Sharing some personal things with one another such as about one's family or gossiping about other employees, these are the informal communication that occur in an organization.

Informal communication, if it takes place within limits, helps in forging bonds between the employees and it makes it easier for them to work in teams. Thus, in a way, both formal and informal communication are necessary to achieve the organizational as well as individual goals.

In organizations today, managers use both formal and informal communication to motivate their employees. Through formal communication, managers convey the expectations and goals of the employees. If the expectations are communicated in a clear and concise manner, it is much more likely that the employees will be able to meet them.

As communication is a two way process, a manager should ensure that he treats his employees with respect and listens to their opinions, thoughts and feedback, with attention.

This makes the employees feel valued and hence, they give their best to their work, thereby increasing productivity and organizational profits.

A manager should give his employees time, appreciate their work every now and then (if they deserve it) and sound genuinely interested in their well-being. This will go a long way in building loyalty amongst the employees towards the organization.

By consulting them before taking an important decision, by communicating it to the employees how their individual works have contributed towards the organizational work, by making them an important part of the "larger picture", managers can build a good rapport with their subordinates and motivate them to achieve more.

As mentioned, effective communication in the workplace has many advantages. It helps in building trust, making a connection, solving problems and maintaining good interpersonal relationships amongst the employees. Not to mention, what an important motivational tool it is.

Thus, a manager who wants to motivate his subordinates, should inculcate clear, precise, assertive, respectful and honest communication.

After all, at the end of the day, it is not just monetary rewards which enhance an employee's productivity, but non monetary rewards such as being valued, respected and appreciated by his fellow employees, seniors and the management, too play a big part in it.