LAS VEGAS — In order for leaders and business owners to be successful, they need to successfully communicate with employees.
"The key to improved productivity, a better bottom line, is our ability to communicate effectively," says Joseph Cangemi, presenter of "Leadership for Improved Productivity" during the Automotive Distribution Network's Fusion '07 Convention. "We all communicate, but how many of us do it effectively"
Cangemi shares that just 7 percent of communication is verbal; 38 percent is tone of voice and 55 percent is body language.
One part of successful communication is quickly dealing with employee problems immediately after they happen.
Cangemi notes that it's not unusual if an issue is not addressed or if a business owner or manager feels uncomfortable confronting employees.
"People are afraid to talk to others, especially where there are perceived differences with the issue or perceptions with the employee," he says.
"These perceived differences often deter people from discussing issues. And it is not unusual that leaders do not discuss issues that need to be discussed and tend to put them on the back burner."
But that is not the best plan of action and it can affect productivity and profitability: "Issues will not disappear; they need to be addressed."
Cangemi, who is a part-time psychology educator at Western Kentucky University, says he draws on his 40 years of dealing with employee issues in presenting solutions to conflicts. He offers several tips for effective communication, including preparing a few statements before confronting employees and asking open-ended questions.
"Open-ended questions help people take responsibility for their own actions," he explains.
