Study Reveals Widespread Deficiencies in Organizational Communication Effectiveness

A recent report by HR.com's HR Research Institute reveals that only 15% of organizations consider themselves at the two highest levels of the communication maturity model, while just 31% rate their communication effectiveness as high or very high. The study, which surveyed HR professionals, uncovers a significant gap in communication effectiveness across organizations, with most rating themselves as mediocre or worse in workforce communication efforts.

The research identifies key factors that distinguish leading organizations in employee communication. Organizations highly successful at employee communication are over 19 times more likely to effectively measure their communication efforts to a high degree. These leading organizations are also 10 times more likely to be at the highest stage of communication maturity, enabling them to foster clear, consistent, and impactful communication across their workforce.

The study points to managerial communication gaps as a primary contributor to these problems. Only about half (47%) of respondents agree that managers in their organizations are actively listening, while just 35% believe their managers are well-trained in communication skills. A small minority (28%) indicate that managers have access to good communication metrics, highlighting systemic deficiencies in communication infrastructure.

Debbie McGrath, Chief Instigator and CEO of HR.com, stated that the data clearly shows communication remains a significant challenge for many organizations, emphasizing the critical need to reassess and strengthen communication strategies to foster better collaboration and workplace effectiveness. The full research report, available for free download at https://hr.com/hrresearchinstitute, provides detailed insights and actionable recommendations for HR professionals seeking to improve workforce communication and collaboration.

The findings suggest that improving communication practices could positively impact employee engagement, productivity, and work quality. Organizations looking to enhance their communication maturity can access additional resources through HR.com's research offerings, including the recording of the research webcast presentation available for viewing on demand.