Communications

Let’s go back in time. Let’s head to the 2000’s. The millennium bug wasn’t that big after all, “Who let the dogs out” somehow didn’t make it to number 1, and Gladiator was packing out cinemas everywhere.

But there was also a group of researchers visiting 60 different companies. And while we were watching Russel Crowe scream, “Are you not entertained?”, those researchers were silently listening to meetings, scribbling down every single word.

What they did afterwards was analyse their transcriptions looking for positive and negative words. And what they found was that companies with the greater financial performance had a 3:1 ratio for positive communication.

Meaning, that for every one piece of constructive feedback (or criticism), there were three examples of recognition, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.

What’s more, in teams that were achieving extraordinary performance, their ratio was closer to 6:1!

Words build worlds.

As leaders, what we say matters.

Positive communication can have an enormous impact on the motivation, emotional wellbeing, psychological safety and problem-solving ability of our teams.

It’s no secret that happier people are more productive. In fact, it’s been proven.

The Lasado Ratio – as this piece of research is called – highlights a way that we can use communication to create a more positive experience for our people. An experience that leads to greater happiness and satisfaction. That, in turn, translates into stronger performance.

So, you’re saying there’s a secret formula?

Not exactly. As with every piece of research there are several more papers that ‘debunk’ the theory, the results and the science behind it.

But whether you believe in the perfect ratio or not, communication remains an essential leadership skill. So, how do you want to use that skill – to create a cloud of criticism, fear, and defensiveness? Or to support, enable and inspire people to be their absolute best?

There’s only one real winner.

Five ways to start using positive communication

One of the best things about communication is… it’s free. But it does take a conscious and continual effort. So, how can we make positive communication a part of our day-to-day?

Manage your own emotions

I’m sure we’ve all been told at some point, “watch out, they’re not in a good mood”, before stepping into a leadership meeting. How did that make you feel – nervous, anxious, confused? Not exactly a positive experience.

So, let’s not be that kind of leader. We all have ‘off’ days – we’re all human – but don’t let those negative emotions spread across the team.

As a leader, your wellbeing is just as important as that of your team, so if you find yourself feeling low, take the time to recognise what you’re feeling; change what you can; and prioritise the things that you enjoy… turning those off days, into better days.

Catch people doing it right

Praise and recognition are a huge part of positive communication. So, catch people doing a good job and let them know about it.

Find the times that they’re living your values; appreciate the small acts that often go unnoticed; and let them know how they’re making a difference to the organisation.

Set the tone

You lead by example. You set the tone. So, make it a positive one. At your next meeting, start by showing your genuine appreciation for people’s time. Be inquisitive about people’s thoughts and reactions and invite them to contribute. Celebrate milestones. And instead of focusing on what went wrong, turn them into learning opportunities to ensure success next time.

Offer support

Being positive doesn’t mean saying ‘nice’ things – the things people want to hear. It means supporting people, showing up for them, and empowering them to succeed.

Things will always go wrong. But when we use positive communication, we can reframe challenges and problems as opportunities. And, as a leader, you role is to enable people to learn from the experience and support them in understanding what we can do differently the next time.

Actively listen

Communication is two-way. So, when you’re inviting ideas and asking questions, be ready to listen to and acknowledge the response. And remember, your body language is just as important as the words you speak.

Keep it going

The world is changing, and so are expectations of leaders. But why do we keep developing our leaders in the same old ways?

It’s time to evolve. It’s time to give our leaders the skills and tools to drive the culture that will power people and businesses forward.

Get in touch. And let’s get to work.

As World Mental Health Day unfolds, I’m taking some time to reflect on my own journey with mental illness. For too long, there’s been a stigma around it, making it difficult to talk about. But through my struggles with anxiety, depression, and complete burnout, I’ve learned how important it is to treat mental health just like any other illness.

Think about it: when we’re physically unwell, we don’t hesitate to take a sick day. We know our bodies need rest and care. But when it comes to mental health, there’s often this pressure to push through, as if admitting you’re struggling is a sign of weakness. That’s simply not true. Our minds get overwhelmed too, and they deserve just as much kindness and compassion.

It’s not just me; it’s all of us. In the UK, around one in four people face mental health challenges each year. With 20% of UK employees taking leave due to stress last year, it’s clear workplace mental health must be a priority.

That’s why, after a particularly difficult period in my life, I decided to turn my experience into something positive by developing a mental health toolkit for our workplace. Be Kind to Your Mind is a comprehensive mental health toolkit designed for employees that emphasises the importance of self-care and a supportive work culture. The toolkit is packed with resources and strategies, like mindfulness exercises and worksheets, so we’re better equipped to support each other through tough times, as well as the good.

Be Kind to Your Mind is designed to help:

1. Understand the most common mental health conditions: Gain insight into the five most common mental health conditions, helping you recognise early warning signs in yourself and your colleagues.
2. Build daily mental health practices: The toolkit is filled with practical self-reflection tools, like gratitude journals and anxiety logs, to help manage stress and anxiety in both personal and work life.
3. Support those around us: Learn to connect with friends and coworkers who may be going through tough times, with advice ranging from ways of showing empathy to conversation starters.
4. Access professional support: The toolkit includes a list of professional mental health resources, such as therapy and counselling, available through workplace benefits. Helping to ensure our colleagues can access the support they need when they need it.

This World Mental Health Day, we’re calling for action to address the impact of burnout, which has become a significant challenge in our workforce. It’s up to all of us to help create environments where we can be vulnerable and support one another with kindness through all of life’s events, big or small.

That’s why we’re making our Be Kind to Your Mind toolkit available to you, and to everyone. To download the full toolkit click here.

Through my own journey, I’ve learned that mental health isn’t something we have to face alone. Together, let’s build a future where mental health is a priority forming the foundation of a thriving and strong workforce.