7 Tips For Effective Workplace Communication

You may have seen those calm people who seem to be having no issues with their environment and handle the problems the way it seems that they never existed and the other ones who seem to be struggling with each passing moment. This is the magic of ‘Communication’. For those who get it right, work becomes fun for them, and those who don’t should definitely give a chance to the improvement of their communication skills.

Not necessary to mention that office or a workplace is the second place where you invest most of your time and efforts after home. This phenomenon segregates your life into ‘Personal’ and ‘Professional’. You tend to behave after a proper articulation at workplaces and on the other hand, you completely feel carefree while having any conversation at home. It’s completely normal and justified while being conscious while what you speak and how you behave at the workplace. There are several ways you can enhance your ability at the workplace. Such as:

• Effective Communication
• Upskilling yourself
• Keeping yourself updated with trends related to your work
• Encouraging others with your positive feedback

The mentioned three skills, ‘Upskilling, Updating and Encouraging are something that you can achieve by practice and the first one that is essential too can be achieved with smaller but impactful steps. So, here are 7 Tips for Effective Workplace Communication:

1. Be Clear with Words (Written and Spoken)

‘Clarity’ is something that is the most essential part of communication. It majorly depends on the sender’s message and the channel on how it will be interpreted. If you are not clear about what you are trying to say or you are lacking the right type of vocabulary, then there are high chances that the message will be misinterpreted by the receiver.

So, it’s really important to be clear before you speak or hit the ‘Send’ button on the email. Better to take time, prepare, plan, articulate, and then come up with what you want to express. The point that is to be noted on priority here, is that there should be ‘Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Communication‘ and not ‘Overthinking’ at all!

2. Listen, Respond and Ask!

You hear everything that is said in the meeting but your presence wasn’t felt by others? That happens when you only ‘Hear’ and avoid ‘Listening’ to the conversation‘. That means, the words that were spoken during a conversation, you heard them, but you easily forgot what was said just after the conversation ended. This is called hearing. On the other hand, listening is linked with paying attention to the voices. Here’s how this should be tackled at workplaces:

• Listen carefully in order to understand what is being said.
• Don’t hesitate from asking a question when you have a doubt.
• Never ask a question that is not relevant for the ongoing discussion, wait for it to end.
• Respond to the speaker, not necessarily by worlds, but by gestures.
• Give your feedback whenever important.

Listening and more importantly, responding to what is being said is art at the workplace in which if you master, you are a ‘Champ’. Also, responding is always not linked with verbal or written communication, it can be expressed through gestures as well. For example, nodding. Plus, who can stop you from asking questions when you have a doubt? Because the scenario of ‘Not asking any question’ signifies two things, either ‘Everything is clear’ or ‘Nothing is clear’.

3. Be Respectful, For Co-workers and Their Diversity

Workplaces become dynamic when they respect talent over background, language, gender, class, caste, and appearance. That’s the crux of the world’s most democracies. While employers can fulfill their responsibilities by having a workplace equipped with policies that welcome talent and ensure the security of their rights.

Now, it’s the responsibility of people belonging to the organization how they treat their colleagues. That always should be the way, you want to be treated and who can dream of being treated roughly and being discriminated against? No one of course! So, respecting your colleagues may bring more positivity to your personality and definitely will make you a good human being not just in the workplace, but outside as well.

4. Watch Out – Be Friendly with Tone and Body Language!

Being friendly can solve half the issues. “This work needs an improvement”, there are specifically two of say this sentence, authoritarian and politely. Which one you prefer will have an impact on building your image among your colleagues and this will definitely affect their further conversation with you.

You may get angry and frustrated, here staying calm and handling the mess with peace will help you build a better bond with your colleagues. So, whenever it’s time when you want to shout out loud, save it, calm down and think of ways how that can be tackled in a better way.

5. No Controversial Talks, Please!

Today, in the age of social media, information is at our tips. We love showing how intellectual we are by discussing several controversial or political issues. Such discussions lead to heated debates that definitely have to do nothing with your workplace rather end up spoiling your relationship with your teammates and colleagues whom you have to work with.

The difference in opinions and offenses over political discussions bring bitterness as obviously, not everyone tries to defend their point. So, for better workplace decorum you should refrain from such controversial conversations that may affect your work.

6. Conflicts? Use Your Diplomacy

Misunderstanding is an issue that we all suffer from. It can be caused due to misinterpretation or miscommunication. Usually, these misunderstandings lead to blunders and then conflicts. Here your diplomatic skills will help win the moment. Understanding the situation, the person’s situation, and the nuances of the moment should be kept in mind while reacting.

A better way is to go ahead and resolve the matter by talking. Making your points politely, listening to the responses with a peaceful mind will help you reach a conclusion that can be really fruitful for everyone.

7. Make a Balance – All Professional

There should always be a defined line while you are having any discussion with your colleagues. That means your personal life shouldn’t be discussed at your workplace. This may expose your personal weaknesses in front of your colleagues and it will end up hampering your relations with them further.

Being skeptical before any such conversation will save you from a lot of harm that can be caused to you. Disclosing too much information about your personal life can decrease your credibility among your colleagues and it’s completely unnecessary.

So, these were some of the best tips for effective workplace communication that can help you become a good communicator and a better problem tackler among your colleagues!!