Over-communication – Something to Strive for

Most people – whether in their personal lives or at work – tend to under-communicate. We often have a tendency to make assumptions that cause us to communicate inadequately with others. I am not certain if this is because subconsciously we are trying to avoid saying something that may lead to a confrontation or because we are too lazy to say something at all. Either way, this typically leads to misunderstanding and yet more assumptions made by the other party from speculation that can end up with a more arduous communication task than if adequate communication was done earlier.

For example, if a company decides to sell off a business division, they may choose to communicate only with those within the division since that move affects those particular employees directly. However, the lack of communication with the rest of the employees within the company outside of that division only encourages speculation and rumors that could potentially hurt employee morale and performance. They might think the company is not doing well, for example. Whereas, the company could be strategically shedding its low margin and high cost division so that it can take the proceeds of the sale to re-invest in other divisions or perhaps buy a company that can help boost the company’s growth. Even if the company is not doing well, it is important for the CEO of the firm to handle the situation upfront with adequate communication to help inspire employees to do better or think outside the box for ways to improve the company’s bottom line. Either way, proper communication can only yield upside whereas lack of communication usually leads to unpredictable and usually poorer results.

I have never heard any person or employee complain that the firm they work at over-communicates with them or that their CEO addresses them too often. I think it is a good idea for any person to err on the side over over-communication rather than under-communication. This includes communications in personal relationships. Hence, we should all strive to over-communicate, then and may then, we’d be communicating at the appropriate level.