6 Tips To Help You Improve Communication At The Workplace
By Ruoro Kairu
Effective communication in the workplace is integral to success. Your success as an individual, as well as that of your department and company, are all pegged to communication.
Teams work better when there is clear, consistent communication. Your ability to communicate effectively directly impacts the growth and success of the company.
To improve on your individual and company’s success, you need to improve your effective communication skills. Here are six techniques to help you improve communication.
1. Be available
This is arguably one of the easiest ways to improve communication.
When you’re available and free with your colleagues, they’ll easily approach you with any issues they have, or in areas they think you should improve on. If you, however, shut your door to your coworkers and take a week before responding to their mail, they’ll be reluctant to approach you.
Irrespective of your position or status at work, try to create time when your co-workers need it.
Availability brings the sense of a comfortable atmosphere where communication can flourish.
2. Be friendly
Fostering friendships at the workplace is another fairly easy yet effective way to improve communication in a company. Caring about your coworkers and having a positive attitude goes a long way.
When you’re friendly, others will perceive you as approachable. They will also have an easier time opening up to you.
3. Be a good listener
Effective communication is not just about relaying your thoughts and ideas to your coworkers, it is also about hearing others out.
In many instances, people will listen with the intent to respond. In real sense, you should listen to fully understand what the other party is saying.
When you work on your listening skills, you’re able to fully process what someone is saying. While working with others, this is a powerful skill.
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4. Be clear
At the workplace, the sharing of ideas and information is inevitable. Unfortunately, there are some colleagues who will beat around the bush with fluff and irrelevant stuff before finally getting to the point. Information that could be communicated in five minutes takes ten.
While there is a place for small talk, when passing on important information, be clear and straight to the point. This ensures the information is not lost in the fluff.
5. Be aware of non-verbal cues
Non-verbal communication is as important as verbal communication. While conversing, watch the other person’s body language to fully understand what they mean to say.
If you are, for example, talking to a colleague, and they’ve crossed their arms and have a frown on their face, it could signal they do not agree with you. This could give you an opportunity to change the conversation.
While conversing with others, maintain eye contact. While others are speaking to you, try to maintain an open posture.
6. Be open to feedback
We all have individual faults when it comes to communication. If you wish to improve, you have to accept feedback.
Use the feedback given to help you grow and have effective communication.
When someone shares something with you, do not hold it against them. Use the information and seek further guidance. If you dispute the advice you’ve been given, you can seek guidance from a public speaking coach.
Also Read>>> 4 Principles To Effective Communication
Strong communication skills are a wonderful addition to your profession. Not only will they help in sustaining and growing your professional career, but they will also help you in your personal relations.
To improve your communication, join our Public Speaking class. Through the course, not only will you interact with CEOs, top managers and other professionals from various industries, you’ll also have a customized class where the trainer focuses on your needs and progress till you’re ready to advance to the next segment.