Best Practices for Managers to Communicate Clearly and Authentically

Why is clear communication so important for managers? Good communication is the key to successful team and organizational leadership.

Research shows that managers are credited with up to 70% of their teams’ engagement.  Additionally, this perfectly highlights the crucial importance of their ability to convey information clearly for employee motivation and productivity.

Studies also indicate that unclear communication can create uncertainty among employees, especially during times of change or reorganization. Transparently sharing information and providing timely updates helps employees understand changes and their role within the organization, which reduces stress and increases engagement.

Despite this, many managers still lack access to structured and effective internal communication channels. Globally, only 44% of managers report having received formal management training, and without the support of appropriate tools and systems, even the best managers may struggle to communicate clearly.

Investing in tools that enable managers to share information with their teams easily, promptly, and transparently is essential for building trust, reducing uncertainty, and ensuring that employees understand what is expected of them.

Core principles of authentic communication

Here are the core principles of authentic communication every company should keep in mind:

1. Focus on what truly matters.
2. Share relevant information.
3. Be honest and transparent.
4. Let your actions match your words.
5. Communicate openly and be approachable.
6. Use clear and simple language.
7. Communicate with empathy and a human touch.

These principles can be followed for external communication, but they are also the foundation of trust and open communication within your organization.

What is the current state of managerial communication?

Numerous studies confirm that effective communication between managers and employees significantly boosts engagement. When asked what most influences team engagement, employees most often respond, “My manager.” This is supported by the Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report 2025, which shows that clear and effective communication not only strengthens employees’ sense of belonging and motivation but also delivers tangible benefits for employers – such as lower turnover and higher levels of engagement.

However, employee satisfaction with communication from managers remains a major challenge. More than half of employees do not clearly understand what is expected of them, and only 23% report receiving meaningful feedback in the past week. These figures highlight considerable room for improvement. 

The key to progress lies in fostering a stronger commitment to better communication, leveraging effective internal communication tools, and providing systematic, formal training for managers in communication and leadership skills.

How can internal comms help improve manager-employee communication?

In large organizations, information often flows through multiple teams and layers, and managers can easily find themselves in situations where their messages don’t reach all employees or feedback is delayed. In these cases, internal communication channels can make a significant difference. 

Internal communication tools such as Jenz help bridge this gap. They enable managers to stay accessible and engaged all the time, regardless of the company’s size or the employees’ locations. 

Here are several ways Jenz enhances manager-employee communication and strengthens team connectivity:

1. Fast and transparent communication

Instead of long, traditional email chains that can easily get lost or cause misunderstandings, Jenz provides a platform that’s always accessible to everyone. It allows managers to share important announcements and updates through posts visible on every employee’s feed.

Each post can include images, videos, or polls, making communication more engaging and easy to follow. This ensures that all employees receive timely and accurate information without the need for multiple communication channels.

2. Two-way communication and feedback

Successful internal communication is never one-way. It’s crucial that employees actively participate and, most importantly, feel heard and involved.

Through comments, reactions, and polls, managers can quickly gather feedback on new initiatives, projects, or changes. This helps in making better-informed decisions and demonstrates to employees that their opinions are valued. Managers can also use Jenz Pulse surveys or short questionnaires to regularly monitor team satisfaction and engagement.

3. Employee recognition and motivation

One of the most important aspects of team leadership is regularly recognizing employees’ efforts and giving public praise. This is where the Kudos feature comes in, allowing colleagues and managers to easily acknowledge employees publicly, in a way that is visible to the entire organization.

This positive practice fosters a sense of value, strengthens team culture, and motivates other team members to put in extra effort. 

4. Centralized communication and reduced information fragmentation

When information is shared across multiple channels (email, chat, intranet, paper, etc.), it can easily become confusing, and important messages may get lost.

Jenz brings all forms of internal communication into one central platform, from announcements, documents, and surveys to video messages from management. This reduces the risk of misinterpretation and ensures employees know exactly where to find the information they need. Managers also save time, as they no longer have to repeat the same information across different teams and channels. 

5. Building a culture of trust and openness

Through continuous and authentic communication, managers can foster a culture where employees feel safe to share their opinions. Jenz encourages open dialogue, idea sharing, and collaborative problem-solving, which boosts innovation and teamwork across departments.

When employees see managers actively participating in conversations, expressing gratitude, and communicating transparently, trust grows and hierarchical barriers are reduced.

Overcoming challenges when managers strive for clear communication

In communication, even the best intentions can sometimes be misunderstood or face obstacles. Managers often deal with resistance to change, disconnected teams, and constant pressure to achieve results. On top of that, unclear processes, poorly defined task distribution, and a general lack of structured communication can easily lead to misunderstandings and hinder collaboration.

Like any challenge, these too can be overcome, with effort, trust-building, transparency, and clear expectations. When everyone understands their role and responsibilities, communication naturally becomes clearer, more effective, and more motivating for the entire team.

Tools like Jenz make that process easier, helping companies strengthen internal connections, simplify communication, and build a culture where information, feedback, and recognition flow freely.