Have you noticed it takes more than great food to make a great meal? Truly great dining experiences combine both great food and ambiance. If either is missing, the experience is diminished.
The same applies to great workplace communication. Great communication involves the food (the content itself) and the ambiance (the setting in which the communication occurs).
For this blog, let’s focus on the ambiance part.
Here are five ways to “set the table” for great workplace communication – and five pretty good rules for restaurant behavior, too:
- I am fully present to the conversation. My cell phone, tablet and computer are off or out of sight. This is the number one rule in workplace communication, as it is in restaurants. I am fully attuned to the people at my table and engaged in our conversation.
- I am live and in person. Yes, the context of each workplace communication is different but, all else being equal, a face-to-face communication is better. Why? First, you can’t pass the bread by email. But also, body language provides context for what’s communicated. For the same reason, Skype is better than a phone call and a phone call is better than an email.
- I am face-to-face as a peer. In a traditional workplace communication, the junior staff member will go to the senior staff member’s office and sit in front of the senior’s desk. But in a restaurant, you sit across the table. The best workplace communicators set the stage the same way. Notice how the best bosses come to you; they don’t make you come to them. And, as often as possible, they sit beside you or across the table face-to-face.
- I am prepared. Workplace communication can be more or less planned. When it is more planned, the best bosses are always prepared. If there are documents, they have read them, thought about them, and made some notes.
- I am respectful of your time. This means three things. First, I show up on time. Second, I don’t rush to get done (remember Mom saying, “chew your food?”) And third, I don’t keep you any longer than appropriate.
Servant-leaders know that everything communicates, including the environment. Poor ambiance can ruin an otherwise good communication, as a cockroach scurrying across the table can ruin a well-cooked meal.
What would you add to the communication checklist to enhance workplace communication?
Bon appétit!