Ways To Make Your Workplace Communication Style Effective
Author:
August 31, 2022
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.
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