Talking is Like Driving: Two Way Street

What makes for a positive work environment and happy employees? One of the key factors is good communication that is honest, positive and effective. Effective communication is like driving a car. The best talks occur on a two-way communication highway that uses a map to get where you want and need to go. No need to curse or smack somebody, or whine: “Are we there, yet?” Good places to work use good communication strategies and talk tools as a way of life, not as emergency flares that are lit after avoidable talk accidents have happened. As an organizational and family psychologist, I’ve experienced the factors that create a positive workplace, one filled with positive attitudes and people, peak performance, low turnover rates, high morale, great team decisions that pay dividends, high-octane optimism, creative energy and one that is a fun place to work for employees. These include: