Healthy Communication, Healthy Workplace

Communication in the workplace can quickly become tricky and sticky.  Whether in a big organization or a small business, communication can come with challenges based on the peculiarities of the organization. The following case illustrates this. During a very exciting team meeting in an upcoming organization, John announced a recent win to the team. Kathy enthusiastically suggested what they might add to enhance the offerings of the organization regarding the upcoming project. Unfortunately, Denise thought Kathy wanted to pitch with the new project rather than another project where they thought Kathy was most needed.  This made Denise blurt out a comment that made Kathy withdraw into her shell.  

Because of the number of people involved in any business, the need for people to feel heard and valued is critical to the success of relationships and the overall healthy outlook in the organization. Effective communication is an important factor in determining the culture and healthy atmosphere of a desirable workplace environment. 

What is Healthy Communication in a Workplace? 

Healthy communication in a workplace entails verbal and nonverbal exchanges that consider the emotions and motives behind the information given, thereby making the communicator feel heard and understood. Furthermore, messages are received and comprehended clearly and purposefully so that all stakeholders are fulfilled. Healthy workplace communication involves active listening, clear articulation of ideas, verbal communication, nonverbal cues, body language, emotional intelligence, empathy, and open-mindedness. It also entails providing and receiving constructive feedback and engaging in dialogue even during challenging situations. 

Workplace communication can happen face-to-face, in writing, via emails or messaging platforms, over a video conferencing platform, on social media, or in a group meeting. It entails communicating at work about work. Healthy workplace communication is characterized by clarity and conciseness, focusing on solving conflicts rather than creating them. 

Benefits of Healthy Workplace Communication for the Organization and the Workers include: 

• Enhances effective collaboration. 
• Minimizes the risk of miscommunication, confusion, or unintentionally hurting coworkers’ feelings. 
• A feeling of belonging and better engagement of workers. 
• Increases productivity. 
• Improves interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. 
• Encourages team buy-in and increased retention. 
• Reduces conflict and enables conflict management. 
• Produces a healthy workplace and organizational culture. 
• Involves constructive feedback, delivered with empathy and specificity, which fosters professional development and strengthens relationships between managers and their team members. 
  

Developing Healthy Workplace Communication 

Developing healthy workplace communication entails knowing where, how, and when to communicate. Some helpful tips include: 

• Follow communication guidelines by messaging about the right things in the right places. 
• Understand when to communicate in real-time and when to send an asynchronous message such as email, recorded video, etc. Ask questions when in doubt. 
• Develop collaboration skills by inviting coworkers to co-create. This means building ideas with team members, holding brainstorming sessions, inviting discussion, and being open to disagreement.  
• Talk face-to-face whenever possible. This eliminates potential problems with eye contact, tone, facial expressions, and body language that are absent in written communication.  
• Be mindful of your body language and tone of voice. How you say something is as important as what you say. Be aware of subtle things like crossing your arms, raising your voice, or giving off unintentional cues. 
• Be clear, concise, coherent, and considerate in your communications. 
• Prioritize two-way communication by listening both to understand and to reply. 
• Learn to separate facts from stories. Focus on and act on facts rather than on stories, which could be mere interpretations of the facts. 
• Be sure to communicate with the right person. Identify the correct person that needs specific information and communicate directly with or to them. 
• Workplace leaders need to ensure no underlying issues that keep people from communicating honestly and effectively. 
• Be willing to ask for feedback periodically and to give constructive feedback when necessary.  

Healthy Communication for Promoting Mental Health in the Workplace 

To promote healthy workplace communication, it is important to recognize some of the ways ineffective communication could affect workers' mental health. These include: 

• Feelings of frustration and confusion 
• Having a sense of isolation 
• Feelings of distress and anxiety 
• Potential for exacerbation of symptoms of depression and anxiety 
• Potential for bringing up trauma triggers. 

Organizations can mitigate stress, anxiety, and burnout by fostering an environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, concerns, and emotions. When workplace leaders prioritize open communication and provide adequate support systems, this creates a psychologically safe workplace where employees thrive personally and professionally.

Therapeutic Practices that Can Contribute to Healthy Workplace Communication 

It is a fact that we can’t give what we don’t know, have, or use. Healthy workplace communication begins with how individuals experience and treat themselves. They can then transfer this to how they communicate with others. So, practicing relaxation and centering skills is a great place to start building better work-life balance practices. The focus here is on taking care of “Myself” mentally and emotionally so I can communicate with others in a healthy manner. Here are some suggestions. 

• Noticing Myself: What am I noticing/sensing/feeling?  
• Breathing Mindfully: What is the sensation in my body as I breathe?  
• Letting Go: What is not in my control that it would be helpful for me to let go of?  
• Finding Gratitude: What am I grateful for in myself, others, and life?  
• Nurturing Myself: How can I give myself tender loving care?  
• Positive Reframing: How can I see the glass half full and find the positive? 

Fostering a Positive Workplace Environment with Healthy Communication  

In conclusion, healthy communication is a cornerstone that fosters a positive and productive workplace environment. By nurturing transparent, respectful, and empathetic communication channels, organizations can enhance employee engagement, foster collaborative relationships, constructively resolve conflicts, promote mental and emotional well-being, and nurture leadership excellence.  

At Ovation, our licensed therapists support businesses in promoting healthy communication among their employees by providing them with mental health services that help them not only focus on their own wellness but also become valuable contributors to their organizations.