Why conversations are better than meetings
This post is the latest in a series of six posts about how to communicate corporate purpose - Navigate the series from the first post
Tip #3 - Make it about us - Get into the social fabric or the organisation - conversations.
Office social areas are the coolest places in the workplace. Each interview I’ve been for, I would look around the open plan office space but I would always look forward to stopping at the social hangouts and start to think about the experience of working there. Social spaces matter because we are social creatures.
“Purpose lives or dies by the watercooler not in the boardroom, this is where the day-to-day reality of work plays out; all the way to the front-line. This is where people have quality conversations, not meetings. ”
So here is the secret… small, social, informal environments are where people say what they really think about the company. When communicating any message, especially purpose, you need some quality feedback about what employees understand, what they think about what they heard and what they really think when they apply it to their jobs.
Putting your purpose statement on the wall in the coffee corner, is not enough. The most creative visual display of your purpose is only as good as the conversation it sparks.
Social time and space are where culture is cultivated. Culture is not built from what leaders say or write into the company purpose or strategy, it has much more to do with the way those leaders behave and then importantly how people all the way to the frontline behave. Here are some ways leaders can create a culture of conversation.
Connect. You say more with actions, than with words. The way a leader communicates to their team is therefore a reflection on his/her leadership style. Have coffee chats in small informal groups, join in the office bake-off and take interest in what is going on. If your team is virtual, that is no excuse, virtual connects are just as good so let technology help you out.
Share. Openly share your thoughts and ideas. I remember my maths teacher saying “show your working out”, It is important to show your reflections and opinion in a positive and constructive way.
Listen. Such an important one! Take time actively listen and seek to understand their world. The trust and respect you will gain is incredible.
It’s happening anyway. Let’s be honest the people do take time to think about, discuss and critique your purpose and even think about ways they would improve it or make decisions because of or despite it.
Those are the conversations that give you the chance to better understand the company culture. Where is there energy, where is there fear and where is there space to improve.
The question is, do you get to hear those conversations or not?
If you need help to get dialogue and conversations firmly embedded as a communication channel, reach out to see how you can work with Humanly.
Coming up next I will share how to make it about the individual … watch this space!
Check out the whole series on Communicating Purpose
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