Fostering Effective Communication and Expectations in the Workplace
Effective communication and clear expectations are vital for fostering a productive and harmonious work environment. As a manager, it is essential to not only understand your subordinates’ needs and what you can offer them but also to ensure that they comprehend your expectations. This article explores the significance of transparent communication, setting meaningful goals, and managing expectations to establish a strong psychological contract between managers and their subordinates.
Building a Strong Psychological Contract
When employees join a company, they usually have a basic understanding of their job requirements. However, it is crucial for managers to go beyond merely assigning tasks and clearly communicate the responsibilities and significance of each position. A common mistake observed among some department managers is providing instructions without emphasizing the value of the role within the team. This approach can make employees feel like they are being treated as mere laborers, diminishing their sense of importance and discouraging initiative.
To establish a strong psychological contract, managers must ensure that their subordinates understand the value of their positions and the meaning behind each goal. For instance, instead of simply instructing an employee to reduce supply chain losses by three percentage points, managers can explain the overall challenges faced by the company in achieving profitability and the need to reduce losses for cost-saving purposes. By framing the task in this manner, employees are more likely to develop a sense of responsibility and actively contribute their ideas on how to improve their work.
Additionally, it is essential for managers to acknowledge and appreciate their subordinates’ efforts when they meet or exceed expectations. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in motivating employees and making them feel valued. This genuine expression of gratitude can leave a lasting impact on employee morale and engagement.
Insights on Effective Communication and Expectations
1. A Gradual Process: Building a strong psychological contract requires time and effort. Trust between managers and subordinates is developed gradually, and both parties’ needs evolve over time. It is important for managers to be patient and consistently show genuine interest in their employees’ well-being.
2. Proactive Approach: As a manager, it is crucial to take the initiative in fostering effective communication and expectations. Actively seek opportunities to understand and support your subordinates, making them feel like valuable assets to the company.
3. Managing Expectations: It is essential to manage unrealistic expectations from the start. If an employee has unrealistic psychological expectations, it is important to address them promptly and provide clear explanations as to why those expectations cannot be met.
Conclusion
Establishing effective communication and managing expectations are fundamental aspects of building a strong psychological contract between managers and subordinates. By clearly communicating the value of each position, setting meaningful goals, and appreciating employees’ efforts, managers can foster a positive work environment where employees feel motivated, engaged, and valued. Investing time and effort into nurturing these aspects will lead to improved employee satisfaction, productivity, and ultimately, organizational success.
Have a management or leadership issue, question or challenge? Reach out to Mister Sivann’s Newsletter – Mister Sivann & The Answer. on LinkedIn or on blog at sivann.com/blog/
