Worn out at Work? Twelve Common Workplace Behaviors that Drain Everyone’s Energy - and How to Purge Them in 2011, part 2 of 2

7. The Unclear Communiqué

DON’T: Assume others have all the information they need, or that something you know isn’t really all that important. These hastily drawn conclusions that result from chronic poor communication can lead to serious mistakes and major missed opportunities. Plus, lack of clarity is incredibly frustrating to those who must work with you. When employees, coworkers, or supervisors have to spend their time tracking you down for clarification, rather than getting the communication from you that they need, productivity falls and creativity is stifled.

DO: Make a concerted and proactive effort to make sure that the right people are in the know. Whether it’s letting your boss know that a client’s daughter is getting married (so he can call in congratulations) or telling a coworker that a vendor prefers to be contacted only via email, be sure to tell the appropriate people. You’ll set your entire team up for success and ensure that your clients get the service they deserve. Also, make sure you copy the right people on emails, promptly return voicemails, and are clear about directions and expectations. And if you say you are going to do something, mean it.

A big part of a successful culture is having a relationship between employees and managers that is built on trust and collaboration. And that can happen only if a clear line of communication is established so that inspiration, encouragement, empowerment, and coaching can take place.

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About the Author

Jon Gordon is a consultant, keynote speaker, and the international bestselling author of Soup: A Recipe to Nourish Your Team and Culture, The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy, The No Complaining Rule: Positive Ways to Deal with Negativity at Work, and Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else. Jon and his books have been featured on CNN and NBC’s Today show, as well as in Forbes, Fast Company, O, The Oprah Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Jon’s principles have been put to the test by NFL football teams and Fortune 500 companies alike. He has worked with such clients as the Atlanta Falcons, the PGA Tour, Northwestern Mutual, JPMorgan Chase, and Publix Supermarkets. To read Jon’s complete biography, click here.