If you want to improve communication at work you first need to define what improved communication would look like. Does it mean fewer misunderstandings about job expectations, less friction between co-workers, better flow of information between departments or does it mean more sales? Now, go deeper and quantify or clearly identify what “less friction” or “better flow of information” would look like. Without this information you’ll have no way of knowing if applying improvement tips and techniques has been successful.

Once you have a way of identifying what improvement or success looks like, you’ll need to document the results of each technique you’ve applied so you’ll know what works and what does not. If you don’t, you may find yourself asking the same question next month-how do I improve communication at work?

Don’t make tracking your results another problem. Quantify or identify and keep a simple checklist indicating results and use surveys. Let’s get started:

1. Increase face time. Stop groaning. If you really want to decrease misunderstandings-go talk to people face-to-face. Email and text messages leave far too much room for faulty assumptions and interpretations. If you want your boss to trust you, promote you or give you choice assignments, have more in-person conversations. Ask for coaching, feedback or provide a solution. If you’re a manager and want more cooperation then go talk to your staff. Sit down and have a conversation, ask what’s going on and give praise and encouragement. In either situation, note your interaction and results. Give it time.

2. Get people connected. Yes, everyone is busy. But people are more likely to be cooperative when they know more about the people they work with. Help people find common ground. Mix up seating at meetings and then have people introduce each other after sharing something others might be surprised to know them. Keep it short and fun.

3. Take your co-worker to work. Hold a take your co-worker to work day (or half-day.) Allow others to learn about your job, what challenges you face, whom you rely on and what you find fun about your job. If you work in accounting spend a day in the field with a salesperson. If you work in distribution spend a day with a customer service rep.

4. Create a safe environment where departments can talk to each other. Get distribution and drivers together with the salespeople and let them share stories. Make it an “I didn’t realize that” opportunity, not a gripe session. When I held such a session where these two teams could share stories about customers and delivery issues the sales team realized there were simple things they could do to prevent misunderstandings, delays and customer complaints. Likewise, the delivery team was surprised to know how cooperative sales wanted to be but didn’t know how. As a result they were more likely to call and ask questions before or during a challenging delivery.

5. Show appreciation. Holding “I didn’t realize that” sessions worked so well that the sales people decided to hold an annual appreciation breakfast for the distribution center. This was not a catered or take-out proposition. The salespeople created a menu, assigned tasks, arrived at 6 a.m. (since drivers had to be on the road at 7) and cooked them a hearty breakfast. A little appreciation goes a long way.

Of course, this will not solve every issue, but it opens up the lines of communication and customer surveys indicated overall satisfaction had increased and gave excellent grades to the delivery team.

If you want to improve communication at work-get people talking, listening and sharing.