We know that we have all had to adapt to a new reality. Companies were no exception, although some adapted more easily than others. Whether because of the type of business or the lack of conditions for employees to work from home, the truth is that this was a challenge we all had to face — and overcome.
First of all, positive communication is closely linked to the concept of an increasingly humanised approach to companies. With people physically distant from the workplace, it is important to learn how to motivate employees in order to ensure the continued success and productivity of the company.
According to statistical data from Statistics Portugal (INE), 58% of companies continue to report a reduction in turnover, particularly in the accommodation and food services, transport and storage sectors. Even so, despite this decline, most companies were forced to invest in the necessary conditions for their employees to continue working, which was far from an easy task.
With the physical distance between the company and its employees, there was a need to adapt communication to the new ways of working. Communication was no longer focused solely on ensuring that each person’s tasks were carried out effectively, but also on promoting motivation and commitment to completing those tasks.
Good and effective people management increasingly depends on correct and positive communication between both parties, so that the connection between employee and employer remains strong and cohesive.
According to Portuguese data cited by Human Resources magazine, on average, 63% of people working remotely say that internal communication has taken on a very important role in their professional lives. For another 73%, productivity and concentration are their main concerns, while 50% considered training on how to manage work and family life important.
It was precisely within this context of a new working reality that the concept of positive communication emerged, aiming above all to promote recognition, motivation and employee engagement with the company.
Recognition, motivation and engagement
Why are these three words so important in the business world?
Motivation, a word we are all very familiar with, is essential for employees to feel willing and energised at work, thereby increasing their productivity. Recognition, on the other hand, is about valuing an employee’s good work in order to reinforce their role. Finally, team engagement — or re-engagement — is about ensuring that the team identifies with the company’s strategic objectives, even in times of change.
This internal communication should therefore be transparent, empathetic, regular and focused in order to ensure everyone’s success. Having an internal communication plan is essential to making this concept work effectively.
How to Put Positive Communication into Practice
- Listen: It is important to understand that people like to speak and to be heard, and that, in most cases, their input is genuinely valuable. Understanding employees’ doubts, limitations and concerns is essential for identifying which mechanisms may be missing to support their wellbeing and productivity.
- Have a plan: Having a strategic communication plan is essential for knowing exactly which topics are important to communicate to employees — especially in times of uncertainty and change. Values, strategic positioning and objectives to be achieved are some examples of what should be included in this strategic plan.
- Invest in people and technology: Encouraging short training sessions to support digital adaptation and investing in employee development are key elements of positive communication. Showing that technology is important and can be used in many different ways, including to connect teams or manage emotions, is essential for success. Creating digital campaigns among teams can also help strengthen relationships between employees.
In short, we know that communication is — and always has been — a pillar of success, whatever the context. That is why, particularly in times of constant change, it is so important to invest in positive communication that helps counter the uncertainty surrounding us.
