Fostering effective organizational communication is one of the key ingredients to leading a successful and motivated team. Communication unites team members and keeps employees feeling connected with one another and valued by management.
In the wake of the great resignation, communication between employees is crucial for ameliorating issues like quiet quitting and employee dissociation. By emphasizing transparency and accountability, business owners can encourage employees to stay engaged with their work.
Here’s how better communication will transform your company culture and keep employees on track.
What is Quiet Quitting?
Quiet quitting will continue to be a challenge for many employers in 2023. Quiet quitting occurs when employees start to lose productivity and disengage with daily tasks. Instead of rising to the occasion and staying focused, workers experiencing burnout revert to doing the bare minimum to get by, and no longer go above and beyond to produce high-quality work. In fact, according to Gallup, “‘Quiet quitters’ make up at least 50% of the U.S. workforce -- probably more.”
However, quiet quitting doesn’t just happen out of the blue. Factors that lead to quiet quitting include: burnout, exhaustion, poor work/life balance, inadequate communication, and poor management.
What are the Signs of Quiet Quitting?
The signs of quiet quitting are similar to the signs of burnout, since the two are often linked. Unfortunately, since many employees engaged in quiet quitting still complete the bare minimum requirements for their position, it’s often difficult to identify quiet quitting in progress.
The signs include:
- Failing to attend non-mandatory meetings.
- Decreased productivity.
- Fewer contributions to team projects.
- Lack of participation.
- Lack of enthusiasm or passion for the work.
- Failing to communicate challenges with management.
How Can Employers Improve Communication and Curb Quiet Quitting?
Provide Clear Job Descriptions
When you’re hiring a new team member, make sure you are clear about the requirements and expectations for their role. Sometimes quiet quitting occurs because employees find themselves completing tasks that weren’t part of their initial job description, and they don’t feel like those duties are within their wheelhouse. Upfront transparency regarding expectations helps everyone stay on the same page from the start.
Conduct Performance Reviews
Create an opportunity to connect with employees face to face. Particularly for remote workers, live conversations with management are essential for feeling connected. Performance reviews are a great opportunity to provide feedback, and field employee questions or concerns.
Performance reviews are also an excellent opportunity to reward productive employees for their hard work and dedication. Communicating with employees about their strengths is just as important as providing constructive feedback.
Facilitate Ongoing Learning
Encourage employee enthusiasm by providing opportunities for ongoing education and personal development. Employee education should be a career-long pursuit, where employees have a chance to cultivate their interests and skills over time.
Employee education might include elements like online seminars, courses, or reading materials. Investing in employee development demonstrates your commitment to constant improvement and a workplace environment that values lifelong learning.
Uphold Work/Life Balance
Quiet quitting is frequently a symptom of poor work/life balance. Ensure your employees maintain a healthy balance by minimizing communications outside the workday. By upholding this boundary for yourself, you encourage employees to maintain the same priorities.
Use a Cloud-Based Communication Platform
Improve team communication by utilizing a cloud-based platform. Instead of relying on multiple communication methods, an online platform synthesizes multiple channels, like email and instant messaging, into one interface. A cloud-based platform enables employees to stay connected from anywhere, so even deskless workers feel united with their team no matter where their work day takes them.
Streamline Communication by Partnering with Konverse
Konverse is a cloud-based platform dedicated to uniting your deskless workforce. Instead of juggling multiple communication methods, Konverse simplifies daily tasks by integrating all communication into one, user-friendly platform.
At Konverse, we are committed to helping your business foster teamwork and organization. We offer intranet messaging capabilities, task management software, and an employee hub complete with training and event organization capabilities. Plus, with third-party integrations, it’s easy to assimilate Konverse into your existing operations. Our integrations include popular platforms like Google Suite and Microsoft 365.
