4 effective internal communications techniques

Eliciting the best work from your employees is the mark of an effective leader. But, effectively communicating what you expect from them can be difficult.

“Unclear expectations lead to inefficient processes and subpar performance,” says Christine Lotze, a partner at Philosophy IB, a Florham Park, N.J.-based management-consulting firm that specializes in changing workplace behavior. “People get frustrated because their work isn’t valued and ultimately the company suffers.”

You can avoid that confusion with these four tips to communicate your expectations clearly and effectively:

1. Reinforce your expectations. As with any conversation, you should use simple and direct language when communicating your expectations. “The key to effective communication is simplicity and repetition of the message,” Lotze says. Hearing your expectations once won’t make them sink in—they need to be regularly reinforced.