In This Post:
Presenters:
Alexandra Powell
Director of Insights
Communication is crucial to culture and productivity in today’s fast-paced workplace. Besides its business function, it’s either a pain point for employees or a transformative driver of performance and workplace satisfaction, the foundation of trust, connection, and engagement. Whether hybrid, in-office, or remote, employees want meaningful support that addresses their professional needs and their personal wellbeing.
As organizations navigate hybrid models, rapid digital transformation, and growing employee expectations, how leaders communicate can define whether teams feel connected and motivated or isolated and disengaged. The data is clear. According to Grammarly, poor communication costs U.S. businesses $1.2 trillion annually. On the other hand, effective communication can lead to a 64% increase in productivity. Yet, despite this undeniable impact, many employees still feel unheard and disconnected from their organizations.
We welcomed Alexandra Powell, Director of Insights at Reward Gateway, to our “Meet a Vendor” webinar series to share valuable insights and techniques that clients can leverage to get all layers of their organization speaking the same language, thereby increasing employee confidence. We’ve learned how organizations canbuild stronger trust and improve their ability to make day-to-day decisions that support the businesses’ values and goals.
About Reward Gateway | Edenred
Reward Gateway | Edenred’s recently released Bridging the Communications Gap Report delves into the transformative power of effective communication within organizations. The report highlights its vital role in building trust and productivity.
Strong communication can align employees more closely with company goals, while fostering a more profound sense of connection and shared purpose. Highlighting the impact managers can have, offering strategies to enhance communication and strengthen bonds within their teams.
As technology continues to evolve, the report examines the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, noting that while 67% of communicators utilize AI for productivity, however only 36% of companies have established clear usage guidelines. Lastly, the report outlines five proven strategies leaders are using to amplify their messages, ensuring they resonate with more employees and create lasting impact across the organization.
The Power of Communication
Communication is more than just exchanging information. It’s about fostering understanding, alignment, and a sense of belonging. When communication breaks down, misunderstandings multiply, morale declines, and turnover rises. In fact, 30% of employees say that poor communication would make them consider leaving their job, while 80% report higher trust when communication is transparent.
Transparent communication empowers employees to understand not only the decisions made but also the reasoning behind them. It invites collaboration rather than compliance. When information is shared openly and consistently, employees are more likely to feel valued and to invest their energy and creativity in the organization.
Communication Starts with Managers
While leadership sets the tone, it’s often managers who make or break communication on the ground.
- 49% of employees say having a manager who cares is more important than receiving a 10% pay raise, underscoring the deep emotional connection employees seek in the workplace.
- 51% of employees feel truly listened to by their managers, revealing a gap that has significant implications for engagement and retention.
The data shows variation across industries: employees in technology (63%) and retail (55%) feel more heard than those in education (45%) or healthcare (46%). This suggests that organizations need tailored communication strategies based on their workforce context and communication culture.
When asked what types of communication they most want from their managers, employees prioritized:
- Feedback on performance
- Recognition of achievements
- Training opportunities
- Upcoming projects or initiatives
- Policy or procedure changes
Despite the digital era, face-to-face interaction remains the most trusted and impactful form of communication.
Organizational Communication
At the organizational level, communication plays a critical role in shaping culture and alignment. Employees want clarity, consistency, and meaningful updates that connect their individual work to the company’s broader mission.
The top five types of communication employees want from their employer include:
- Training and development opportunities
- Policy or procedure changes
- Changes to benefits or compensation
- Recognition of employee achievements
- Company updates or announcements
When it comes to delivery:
- In-person company meetings (52%) lead the way,
- Emails (41%)
- Instant messaging apps (19%).
This combination shows that while digital tools are helpful, they should complement human interaction.
Making Virtual Meetings More Engaging
As hybrid and remote work remain common, virtual communication has become an essential skill for leaders. Yet, too often, virtual meetings are static, one-directional, and disengaging. To make them more dynamic, Reward Gateway | Edenred’s insights suggest several practical approaches:
- Give participants topics for the chat to encourage interaction.
- Share perspectives, not just results, to humanize discussions.
- Feature recognition moments to celebrate success in real time.
- Gather questions in advance to make sessions more inclusive.
- Do a tech run-through to avoid avoidable distractions.
- Design for engagement—think of your internal audience as customers and ask, “Would this experience keep me interested?”
Recognition drives behavior
Recognition is confirmation that someone has successfully fulfilled their role – an acknowledgment of contributions that reinforces company values and motivates future performance. Recognition-driven communication strengthens morale, increases engagement, and creates emotional resonance across teams.
When employees see their peers being recognized, it sets a standard and cultivates a sense of shared achievement.
Integrating recognition into internal communications helps build a culture where appreciation is visible and consistent.
Lessons from Open Enrollment: Communication in Action
Effective communication is measurable. During client open enrollment periods, successful organizations combine multiple communication touchpoints to ensure clarity and engagement.
Reward Gateway highlights strategies that work:
- Provide reading materials first so that employees can absorb information at their own pace.
- Host online informational sessions with benefits partners to build understanding.
- Organize smaller, department-based Q&A sessions (ideally in-person) for more personalized interaction.
- Send reminders directly from HR business partners for added credibility.
- Encourage managers to reinforce information through in-person conversations.
Supporting employees through changes—like benefits updates—requires empathy, structure, and proactive communication. When employees know where to find information and feel supported in understanding it, engagement naturally follows.
The Role of AI in Modern Communication
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how organizations communicate. According to Gallagher:
- 67% of professionals say AI boosts their productivity
- 28% already use AI to draft internal messages.
However, this new frontier comes with responsibility:
- 60% of employees admit to having seen AI-generated mistakes
- 36% of companies have clear AI usage guidelines.
AI can be a powerful ally for communicators, helping with message drafting, tone adjustments, and personalization. It should complement human empathy. The best communication blends the efficiency of technology with the authenticity of human connection.
Get in touch with Reward Gateway | Edenred today!
At its core, great communication is about creating an environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued. It requires leaders to listen actively, managers to communicate consistently, and organizations to share transparently.
When communication is strong, trust grows. When trust grows, engagement follows. And when employees are engaged, productivity, loyalty, and innovation naturally rise.
Reward Gateway’s data-driven insights make one thing clear: communication is a tool and the glue that binds people and purpose together.
For more information, contact:
Alexandra Powell – alexandra.powell@rewardgateway.com
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