Speak your mind – But How

Ever feel like “you have an opinion on everything” sounds negative? But sharing thoughts is great! The key is knowing how and where to express them. Here are some tips for better communication between employers and employees.

An enthusiastic young female co-worker is explaining something to a male co-worker who is halfway to his desk with coffee in hand.

“My Door is Always Open”

“I have an open-door policy,” “You can tell me anything,” “Your opinion matters to me”… and then feel ignored? As an employer, don’t just say it – mean it! You need to create opportunities for genuine exchange of opinions. Provide space and time for colleagues to give honest feedback.

Honesty and Anonymity

Honest feedback from employees is the cornerstone of a strong employer brand. For colleagues to be honest, anonymity is essential. Like spilling tea on Reddit without showing your face, people are more open. In the workplace, this is even more true. Fear of consequences leads employees to give more superficial feedback on sensitive issues. But if employers don’t get honest opinions, they can’t improve shortcomings, which can harm the employer brand. Allow anonymous feedback to uncover real issues within the company and address them.

Constructive Criticism

To communicate effectively, criticism should be constructive, giving the other person a chance to improve. As an employee, clearly state what the problem is and what changes you’d like to see. As an employer, if you ask for feedback, you need to listen and try to meet the requests as much as possible.

An enthusiastic young female co-worker is explaining something to a male co-worker who is halfway to his desk with coffee in hand.
As both employees and employers, it is often difficult to voice our honest opinions in the workplace.

The Other Side of the Coin

Feedback goes both ways. Employers also need to share their observations with employees. When giving negative feedback, it’s important to be constructive and avoid making it personal. Emphasize that the feedback is meant to help with professional growth. Don’t just voice negative opinions; also highlight positive observations. Everyone likes to feel appreciated.

Everyone Starts from Themselves

Communicating emotions at work is always tricky, whether you’re an employee or an employer. Often, we mistakenly think we need to hide our emotions because they’re not suitable for the workplace. But we’re human, and just like in other areas of life, emotions affect us at work. Assertive communication helps express our feelings, desires, and needs while also listening to and respecting others. These skills are learnable and useful in workplace conflict resolution. Use “I” statements instead of “you” statements. For example, say, “I feel a bit bothered when you take so many breaks,” instead of, “You’re always taking breaks!” It’s much more effective.
By ensuring that everyone feels heard and respected, you create a workplace environment where opinions are not just tolerated but valued, leading to better communication and a stronger, more positive employer brand.