Ways To Make Your Workplace Communication Style Effective

Workplace communication skills are always crucial. Even one miscommunication can slow you or your whole team down. For instance, it can result in a missed meeting, confusing conversation, or project delay.

Every minute counts when you’re running a small company or business. That’s why even the slightest issue about communication is magnified. However, when conversations are going well, everything will run smoothly. Other than that, your team will become more innovative, engaged, and productive.

So, how can you make your workplace communication style effective?

If you want to get your projects done on the right time or establish strong relationships with your employees, effective communication is a must. Sure, each one of us struggles in talking to others sometimes. But with a couple of work practices or etiquettes, you will be able to achieve effective communication skills in no time.

Here are some tips:  

1. Use great tools for communication

The right communication tools should be a vital part of your company, especially today. So, look for the right cloud collaboration software to help you out. It will enable you to make an environment where team members are consistently sharing ideas, updating tasks and projects, and following up with each other. 

Don’t depend on emails too much. There are so many other ways to communicate with your team online. For instance, team chat platforms like Slack and Skype. These digital apps can help your company get answers fast, instead of waiting for an email.

2. Give your full attention

Don’t be absent-minded. If someone is talking to you, give your full attention to them. Don’t look at your laptop or smartphone when you’re communicating with other people, especially if it’s one of your employees. It is a sign of poor communication, and you wouldn’t want that. Hence, be mindful of how you’re talking or communicating. Maintain eye contact, listen carefully to who you’re talking to, and nod your head affirmatively to show that you’re focused on what they are saying.

3. Create an open environment

Open the flow of communication by ensuring that your employees feel comfortable enough talking to you when they made a mistake or have a question. Make it clear that they can reach out and tell you anything, even if it’s a personal or family problem. You can do it in person or over a video call. Just make them feel comfortable and show that you will carefully listen to them.

4. Give clear instructions

One of the areas where communication tends to become ineffective is how leaders give instructions to their team. This can cause delays, or worse, stop a project completely. So, make sure to include clear, detailed instructions for every project or task. You can send these via video call, email, or a project management software. This will make it easier for your team to get things done at the right time.

5. Be available for each team member

Set up one-on-one meetings with each team member. Give them an opportunity to come to you with problems, suggestions, questions, or feedback. This will also enable you to talk to them about their struggles in the office, as well as their overall performance. They may bring up some things that makes them feel uncomfortable sharing in a group environment, too. So, be sure to do this. It will show that you value them as a part of the company.

6. Celebrate achievements

Always remember that feedback should not just flow one way. Your team members should also value feedback or opinion that helps them grow. That’s why it’s crucial to celebrate achievements or success across the company. This will help reinforce shared goals and build a strong connection within the company.

Final Thoughts

When your workplace communication style is effective, the overall productivity of your company increases. So, make sure to use great tools for communication, give your full attention, create an open environment, and more to inspire and motivate your team members.