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In the new era of work, building effective teams is more important than ever to organizational performance. People are an organization's competitive advantage and integrating emerging technologies like generative AI can assist in how employees collaborate. AI is a game-changer in workplace communication because it creates a jumping off point for effective communication. It can work behind the scenes providing personalized coaching communications and ensure that interactions are smoother, inclusive, and, ultimately, more effective.
The most important thing to remember about adopting AI in the workplace is that it enhances human interaction and does not replace it. If we view AI as a tool for building a collaborative and connected environment, the options for improving our communications with it are endless. Strong communication skills are becoming more critical for every employee, leader and executive.
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The importance of interpersonal skills
Traditionally, hiring practices prioritized hard skills and technical abilities, but the focus has shifted towards a more holistic approach. Emotional and social intelligence are now integral, emphasizing the significance of navigating human complexities at work. Interpersonal skills are vital in building connections, reducing conflicts, and fostering trust and collaboration. A workplace embracing these skills cultivates a psychologically safe environment, promoting innovation and happiness, ultimately contributing to enhanced productivity and profitability.
Recognizing that everyone thinks differently emphasizes the need for coaching on interpersonal skills. Effective communication requires understanding diverse preferences, and adapting to these can aid collaboration. Individualized coaching addresses these nuances, reducing misunderstandings, fostering inclusivity, and creating a workplace that values various communication styles. Coaching improves individual performance and contributes to a cohesive, adaptable, and respectful workplace environment.
Interpersonal skills are necessary for a robust collaborative environment. A team has to be on the same page with the same vision. With consensus, a team can smoothly and productively work through challenges as they inevitably arise.
Generative AI helps people work effectively together
In support of interpersonal skills, generative AI is a tool that can seamlessly integrate into workflows. For example, AI can help people draft emails and messages, prepare people for tough conversations or work through conflicts with coworkers through helpful tips.
As the technology continues to advance, AI will be able to analyze workstyles or communication preferences and patterns, offering personalized and "always-on" coaching. AI-driven coaching will examine communication styles and suggest improvements, helping employees express themselves more clearly and empathetically. It will review team dynamics and offer the best ways for specific individuals to work together. For example, AI might recommend the most effective communication channels for particular situations by identifying when face-to-face meetings would be more beneficial than emails.
Generative AI coaching addresses communication challenges
The greatest workplace challenges revolve around people, specifically around interaction with one another. AI can help to break down communication and language barriers and help automate tasks, freeing time for employees to focus more on their soft skills like communication and developing emotional intelligence and empathy.
The biggest communications challenge that AI-powered coaching can help to solve is the ability to provide coaching at scale and at any time. Traditional coaching models are usually "gate kept" to a certain degree because of the cost and time to meet with a conventional coach. AI will continue to democratize this by providing coaching to entire organizations in real time.
But that shouldn't indicate that AI coaching will somehow replace human/traditional coaching. Much like AI can improve communication, it can supplement coaching without ever substituting it. AI is excellent – and will only improve – at identifying communication patterns and data-driven feedback. However, it doesn't replace the empathy of an actual human coach. Also, AI may be able to predict behavior based on patterns, but it can't observe it. So, it will always work best when it is a part of a holistic coaching approach.
Adopting these tools demonstrates a commitment to personal and professional development in the workplace. A company that adopts technology that uses generative AI to help guide workplace communications can attract talent looking for growth-oriented workplaces. It also shows that the organization values effective communication and continuous learning. By offering AI coaching tools, companies can differentiate themselves in the job market with an innovative benefit that could be particularly attractive to younger demographics entering the workforce.
A tool to enhance company culture and promote DE&I
In this new era of work, our ability to build effective teams, managers, and productive relationships at work is more difficult than ever before. According to Gallup, an astounding 68% of workers are not engaged at work. Employee happiness and culture are in a state of decline.
AI-powered coaching is a tool that enhances organizational culture, communication and manager effectiveness. It can be made available to all employees to create an environment where open and respectful communication is the norm. It contributes to a positive, collaborative, and inclusive company culture by facilitating better understanding among colleagues in the following ways:
- Improves understanding and empathy for others
- Breaks down barriers/silos, encouraging stronger collaboration
- Assists in personal and professional development by focusing on continuous improvement and learning
- Allows management to effectively provide feedback in the way that the employee will best receive it
AI-powered coaching can also play a role in DE&I initiatives by highlighting and addressing unconscious biases in communication. AI may be able to help build "cultural competence" and social intelligence in work communities. It can help people develop a deeper understanding of backgrounds and differences, ultimately allowing for more inclusion and, eventually, team cohesion. By promoting a sense of diverse communication styles and cultural sensitivities, it builds a more inclusive environment. Through coaching, employees can become more aware of their biases and learn mitigation strategies. This awareness is critical for creating an equitable and inclusive workplace.
When directly integrated into a DE&I program, certain AI coaching can help provide guidance specific to the company's DE&I strategy. Coaching can equip leaders with the skills to develop and implement effective DE&I strategies within their teams and the broader organization.
How and why companies should adopt Generative AI Coaching
Businesses can adopt this technology by looking for tools that fit their needs and strategic goals. AI should be a part of any company's corporate strategy – it isn't going anywhere. It is becoming more powerful and dynamic and will continue to transform workplaces. The sooner a company integrates it into its systems, the faster it will start seeing the benefits. A good recommendation is introducing a new technology like this with a pilot group that can help lead the way and build momentum once it has been rolled out to the entire team.
The future of AI technology in the workplace is poised to be transformative, reshaping the landscape of work and collaboration. It will likely become more sophisticated, offering profound insights into team dynamics and individual preferences. We should expect to continue to see more AI integrations into the tools we use every day.
AI will continue to provide ways to improve our communication and problem-solving. As natural language processing progresses, the language utilized and its interactions will feel more natural. We can imagine all of the innovation heading our way over the next few years as we begin to use AI to allow us to work in new ways. It's as exciting a time as ever to see what the future of work driven by this technology holds for us.
Megan Cook is co-founder of Happy Companies, enabling organizations to supercharge communication, collaboration and productivity.
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