More often than not, we have heard about how powerful communication is, and how much it can change or influence opinions, perspectives, and results of things. Bret Morrison once said, “Of all the life skills available to us, communication is perhaps the most empowering.” As much as we have established that communication is paramount, we need to examine some ways in which it Influences not just individual reputation but also the reputation of an organization. However, before we get right into that, let us take a look at what Workplace Reputation is about. 

What is Workplace Reputation? 

As the name implies, this is the impression an organization has built over time internally and externally. It is important to note that reputation is not a one-time occurrence, it is rather a repeated cycle of actions without change. The workplacereputation is majorly formed by the stakeholders and employees, and many times, it extends to the customers and business partners. There are so many factors that contribute to the reputation of an organization, some of which are:

• Work environment 
• Pay structure 
• Leadership and management 
• Organizational culture 
• Ethics and value within the workplace
• Communication 
• Diversity and inclusion of employees 

The reputation of an organization determines the commitment and dedication of the employees. Workers are most likely to give their best to an organization that fosters their growth and has a good reputation. A workplace with a good impression will attract suitable employees and also have high productivity resulting in grand organizational success.

Communication and Workplace Reputation 

For every organization that wants to build a good reputation, communication is paramount. According to a popular C.D. Jackson: “Great ideas need landing gear as well as wings.” An organization might have a great vision, mission, and objective, however, if it is not clearly and precisely communicated, the aim might be missed. The foundation for every successful workplace is understanding how to effectively communicate. 

Proper Communication Within the Workplace 

Not all conversations are communication, and not all communication is effective. For communication to be effective, the sender and the receiver must not only converse but also understand the details of the message while providing clear and precise feedback. Here are certain steps to take during communication to be effective:

• Identify the right way to communicate: 

You must identify to whom this message is best sent, the appropriate channel to use in sending it, and the suitable time it must be sent. There is always a hierarchy at work, avoid skipping these hierarchies when passing information. Also, only send messages within the working hours of the employees and to their work email or phone number and not their personal email or phone number. 

• Practice the Two-Way Communication: 

Generally, people find this very difficult to do because everyone just wants to voice their opinion and express themselves. For effective communication, actively listen to other opinions before you give feedback. It is not just about speaking your mind but also about listening. Ensure that the receiver of the message understands the purpose and the sender must be willing to accept feedback from the receiver too. Remember to always use a polite tone while talking and avoid criticizing without acknowledging the efforts of people first. “Communication sometimes is not what you first hear, listen not just to the words, but listen for the reason.” — Catherine Pulsifer

• Understand that every employee is unique in their way: 

According to Anthony Robbins “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” Take time to know everybody and communicate with them in the best way you can. Also, remember that people are different and so, should be treated accordingly and respectively without bias. 

• Ensure to always check in with the teams: 

Checking in with everybody is vital in an organization. Schedule one-on-one conversations, team meetings, and team bonding activities. Note their feedback and be open to suggestions from them. A happy workplace is one with employees who have a sense of belonging. 

• Sharpen your communication skills: 

Nobody is an island of knowledge. Ensure to regularly enhance your skills. You can take communication courses, and attend workshops and conferences. Always be open to feedback and take it into practice. Be polite, open-minded, clear, and precise during communication. 

How Can Communication Help You To Build a Good Workplace Reputation? 

We have spoken about the workplace reputation and how to effectively communicate within the workplace. It is vital to note that to build a strong workplace reputation, you must make a good impression on the employees and stakeholders within the organization. How can you achieve this? Below are some ways communication can shape  workplace reputation 

• Positive workplace culture: 

The importance of a positive workplace culture on the reputation of an organization can not be overemphasized. Every practice within the organization is guided by the culture of the organization. By constantly communicating with the employees, you can always get feedback that can help to sharpen the workplace culture and provide support to the employees. An organization where employees feel heard is definitely going to have an excellent reputation 

• Communication gives purpose and avoids confusion: 

As much as employees work for the salary, they also must enjoy doing their work. The enjoyment can only be achieved when we understand our responsibilities and tasks without confusion. Clear and precise dissemination of information is important to avoid confusion. As humans, having purpose is essential because it gives us a feeling of fulfillment and creates an impact. “An extraordinary business starts with extraordinary people. Extraordinary people start with purpose” – Jesper Lowgren 

• Workplace Rapport: 

According to Raymound Arroyo, “Many believe effective networking is done face-to-face, building a rapport with someone by looking them in the eye, leading to a solid connection and foundational trust.” People who build rapport within an organization build trust and connections that make it easier to collaborate and be in sync with each other. This boosts productivity and influences the success of the workplace.

• Reduces Or Eliminate Conflicts: 

When communication is straightforward, accurate, and passed with a polite tone, it is easier to prevent conflicts. Most workplace conflicts arise as a result of miscommunication and misunderstanding. This can make employees feel unsatisfied, disrespected, or unvalued which can tamper with the reputation of the workplace if the same thing keeps happening. Shannon L. Alder once said In his writeup titled “The Anatomy of Conflicts” that if there is no communication then there is no respect. If there is no respect then there is no caring. If there is no caring then there is no understanding

• Increased productivity and innovation: 

We can only evolve and achieve success when we have the information to do so. For employees to see the same vision as the organization, they need to understand the purpose of the vision. Understanding can only be possible with effective communication. In the end, communication determines how fast and swiftly the work can be done. Also, an organization that encourages its employees to give feedback and share their opinions will have enough resources to evolve and try new things.

In conclusion, communication is essential in every aspect of life. Every organization should constantly learn and build communication skills while encouraging every employee to do the same. Effective Communication is the key to achieving organizational success and an outstanding reputation.