Develop Dialogue

"When employees and employers, even coworkers, have a commitment to one another, everyone benefits. I have people who have been in business with me for decades. I reward their loyalty to the organization and to me. I know that they'll always be dedicated to what we're trying to accomplish."

Donald Trump, Businessman


Communication conquers many ills. Business leadership requires that you communicate with a number of different “publics” in different ways at different times. Not the least of these is your group of employees.

Study after study reveals that employees are more satisfied and more productive when they feel they can communicate openly with their leaders. But it is your job to create a corporate culture and environment where dialogue is promoted and encouraged.

Don’t delegate this responsibility to underlings. Do this yourself. Take the initiative to establish formal and informal venues for dialogue with employees, investors, and stakeholders.

The quarterly conference call may be necessary, but it is not sufficient as a communications tool. You should be in regular contact with your constituencies. Walk around the plant, the office, the site—wherever your people are. Resist the easy temptation to be a figurehead.

Instill a sense of connection, affinity and loyalty in your employees, whether you have fifteen or fifty-thousand. They will love you for it and work even harder.

(c) Adonis E. Hoffman, 2008