Training employees in soft skills—including communications-based skills—boosts productivity and retention levels by 12% and delivers a 250% return on investment based on higher productivity and retention. And studies have also concluded that language-based skills are particularly better for employees inside the workplace. Keep reading to learn more about why.
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When employees boost their language skills, they are better able to do the following.
They Will Be Able to Communicate Ideas More Effectively
A large portion of human communication is nonverbal, and most current communications-based training in the workplace focuses on this nonverbal communication, as well as things like emotional intelligence.
However, poor writing skills still abound, with nearly a quarter of recent college graduates admitting to having “deficient” or “poor writing” skills. And good writing and verbal communication skills are essential to effectively communicating ideas inside the workplace.
Essentially, if you want your employees to be effective communicators, as well as more productive and efficient at their jobs, make sure that they know how to write important e-mails, memos, briefs, reports, etc., and how to talk about them with others.
They Will Be Able to Collaborate Better
Astute language skills are essential to collaboration and innovation, especially inside the workplace. And they encourage improved perceptions of others, better decision-making, higher levels of innovation, and more empathy for others’ diverse backgrounds and cultures.
In addition, these skills help communicators inside the workplace avoid and mitigate conflicts that can arise due to misunderstandings and misperceptions. In this way, employees with advanced language skills would be better at managing conflict.
They Will Be Able to Participate in a Global Economy
In today’s globalized world of business and commerce, most corporations and enterprises are internationally based, along with nearly 60% to 70% of small businesses.
Consider encouraging your employees to learn a second or third language so they are better able to participate in a global economy, as well as help your organization become more globally competitive.
They Will Build Stronger Business Relationships
When employees are more effective communicators who can collaborate and innovate better on a global scale, they will be able to build stronger and more positive business relationships.
They will also be more confident and less anxious about communicating with others, especially those who have different backgrounds and cultures. This will ultimately make your organization more competitive and successful long term.
Overall, if your employees boost their language skills right now (or even learn a new language), they will be better at communicating their ideas effectively, collaborating, innovating, participating in a global economy, and building stronger business relationships—all of which will ensure the success of your organization.