From: bizjournals.com

Image rights: GETTY IMAGES (DIGITAL VISION.)

Did you catch the Sci-Fi flick, Arrival, with Amy Adams? (If not, I promise not to spoil the ending.)

The movie, based on a short story, dramatically illustrates the importance of communication. In fact, just getting one word wrong can lead to dire consequences when you’re communicating with aliens.

Adams plays a talented linguist determined to understand the strange creatures that unexpectedly arrive on Earth. More importantly, she struggles to find a mutual language that will enable two-way communication. In the process, she discovers the importance of discarding preconceived notions and conventional thought patterns.

Arrival is weird and fascinating, yet aside from the freaky appearance of the aliens, the story line is not all that different from many other stories: beings trying to understand each other and the dramatic consequences that follow when communication breaks down.

I’m not a linguist, but I have spent many years working with others to build a successful business. Effective communication is key to everything we do and accomplish together. Here’s a short list of what I’ve learned along the way.

1. Make communication a top priority
In fast-paced work environments, communication can slip to the bottom of everyone’s priority list. That’s why we have woven communication into the virtual DNA at Intertech. From daily 15-minute huddles to monthly and quarterly all-company meetings to a weekly newsletter and much more, we continually communicate with each other about our projects, challenges and victories.

2. Tell the truth
Leaders don’t lie; they also don’t shy away from difficult conversations. Sometimes we need to let someone know — an employee or client — that there’s a problem. Before jumping to conclusions, though, be sure to ask questions and really listen to the answers. Your perception of the situation could change with more information. In any case, treat the other person with respect and move quickly to solutions and next steps. The goal of tough conversations should be positive resolution.

3. Know your audience
The dramatic arc in Arrival is the main character’s frantic attempts to understand the aliens. Workplace communication can feel as challenging and frustrating sometimes, especially when we don’t know the communication preferences and tics of others.

Partners at my firm all have communication “cheat sheets” on each other to help smooth our interactions. These “cheat sheets” actually are personality profiles that remind us of who hates long-winded conversations and who wants no communication on Monday mornings for example. Understanding how we’re all wired makes working together much more effective and a lot more fun.

4. Non-verbal matters — a lot!
Of course, not all communication happens verbally. Depending on the study, between 65 percent and 95 percent of a message is received nonverbally. So if you’re still frowning about a mishap at home when you get to work, employees may misinterpret your negative demeanor as proof that you are displeased with them. Make an effort to be mindful of your body language and build positive rapport with verbal and nonverbal communication.

5. Encourage candid feedback
It’s hubris to believe that good ideas only come from the top. That’s why savvy leaders take time to listen to all employees, ideally through a systematic process that ensures all voices are given an equal opportunity to be heard. One way we do this is through an annual half-day employee town hall. It’s structured and led by employees, who then compile and provide the candid feedback to senior leaders in an anonymous fashion.

Our goal is to encourage all employees to “speak truth to power” and to provide a forum where good ideas can be captured. The leadership team doesn’t always follow through on every idea we receive, but we do weigh every recommendation carefully, and many times we are able to adopt new ideas through this valuable process.

The fate of the planet may not hang in the balance based on how well you communicate with employees and colleagues, but harmonious communication definitely will make work — and life — much more productive and pleasant. You have my word on it!