By Heather Kuhns, DBA, and Mark Koscinski, CPA, DLitt

“It’s not what you say, but how you say it.” This old saying rings true in any business setting. Promoting and fostering a culture of positive communication can go a long way in giving meaningful context to that phrase. Positive communication should be an important business priority because it contributes to a healthy productive work environment, increases overall employee morale and engagement, and ultimately leads to better outcomes. Additionally, fostering positive communication helps create spaces for enhanced collaboration and stronger trust among employees. Firms that make concerted efforts to promote positive communication may also experience better problem-solving and a more innovative and open-minded workspace where employees are more apt to share ideas.

Positivity Energizers

A key strategy to developing a positive communication workplace is to identify “positivity energizers,” or positivity advocates. Positivity energizers are those employees who embody positive communication through all communication-related scenarios, good and bad. This is particularly important during accounting crunch times, when the last thing on one’s mind is remembering positive communication. These employees are those who …

• Help other people flourish.
• Are heedful and fully engaged.
• Are energized about their work.
• See opportunities.
• Are trustworthy and have integrity.
• Solve problems.
• Are dependable.
• Use abundance language.
• Are genuine and authentic.
• Express gratitude and humility.
• Enjoy relationship building at all levels of the organization.

Firms must identify positivity champions within the organization to help facilitate a positive communication strategy. Looking for the following:

• Who does the most positive energizing in the organization?
• How deep does the energy go and how can it be enhanced?
• What are the key attributes of the most positively energizing people? What do they exhibit that makes others want to follow? How does this transfer across an entire network?
• How can teams capitalize on a positive energy network?
• What kinds of activities can be conducted to foster more positive energy in the organization?

Beyond the Words

The benefits of positive communication go far beyond the words. When employees experience positive feedback and open communication, there is a greater comfort level that results in enhanced trust and stronger relationships. That openness can lead to employees being more collaborative and innovative with ideas and perspectives. If employees feel their ideas and perspectives are being heard, more engaged teamwork can result. Positive communication and energy can also contribute to better conflict resolution and more productivity.

Firms that prioritize positivity also experience stronger employee engagement by creating a space where employees are self-motivated to be more involved. A positivity-focused firm is a more enjoyable and nurturing workplace where employees want to be. When surrounded by positive communication and energy, it’s easier to connect with others and feel you are making valuable contributions. Positive communication strategies can start small with simple goal setting and evolve over time and as your firm grows. The following are five strategies you can immediately put into action to help your firm with positive communication.

Inspire creativity and positivity – Create opportunities for employees to share ideas and perspectives, with a dedicated focus on only providing positive feedback. Whether it’s a five-minute stand-up meeting or an offsite retreat, create space for openness – with positive vibes only! Everyone from partners to front-line employees have to hold each other accountable if there is anything less than positivity is being communicated.

Promote diversity and inclusivity – Implement opportunities for all employees to provide feedback. Embrace all ideas discussed. Of course not every idea can become a reality, but every idea can be highlighted in some way. This is similar to the brainstorming process used in audit planning. Let everyone know they are being heard. There is great power in adopting a philosophy in which every idea is a good idea. Let employees build on each other’s ideas.

Identify champions whom others can model – These are the positivity energizers – those employees who are optimistic and see the good in every scenario. These employees are invaluable because not only do they help spread general positivity, they also help frame the communication when trying to get to the root of a problem or when uncovering potential issues within the workplace. Positivity has a contagious effect, and others will want to model the energy.

Provide ongoing opportunity for feedback, with regular check-ins – Checking in with your employees on a regular basis contributes to positive work environment. There are many benefits to frequent check-ins, including fostering open communication and feedback, boosting employee engagement, and creating a culture where employees feel supported and heard. This process of regularly touching base also contributes to identifying and addressing potential issues or challenges before tension or stress sets in.

Implement a workplace communication strategy – Create a process for all communication, incorporating various channels for feedback and buy-in. Offer a variety of methods – in-person, emails, workplace messengers, or whatever else your team deems important to your respective workplace. Goals and objectives about promoting positive communication that include brainstorming opportunities and other ways to garner buy-in can help guide this communication strategy.

Whether you are putting an organizationwide strategy in place or need to adjust some existing parameters within your team, there is great power in recognizing positive communication. When communication is clear and effective, employees feel a greater sense of engagement. Employees feel valued and innovation flourishes. It’s an overall good place for all to contribute.

Heather Kuhns, DBA, is an assistant professor of practice in management at the Moravian University School of Business and Economics in Bethlehem, Pa. She teaches across marketing, management, and leadership disciplines. Kuhns also is owner/chief inspiration officer of zenspire communications, a boutique agency specializing in branding, social media strategy, and communication planning. She can be reached at kuhnsh02@moravian.edu.

Mark Koscinski, CPA, DLitt, is an associate professor of accounting practice at the Moravian University School of Business and Economics, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate accounting courses. Koscinski has worked for a Big 4 accounting firm and also held various executive positions at privately held and public companies. He can be reached at koscinskim@moravian.edu.

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^{Statements of fact and opinion are the authors’ responsibility alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the PICPA's officers or members. The information contained herein does not constitute accounting, legal, or professional advice. For actionable advice, you must engage or consult with a qualified professional.}