Follow These Tips to Be a Better Communicator

In today’s work environment, everyone must be a good communicator. Being an effective communicator is crucial to relationship building, performance and efficiency.

Unfortunately, bad communication is a major problem at many companies. A recent University of Phoenix survey showed just 27 percent of workers believed their internal communication was “very effective.”

Respondents also said bad communication was second only to management problems in making an organization “less effective than it could be.”

Effective communication is a talent that can be developed over time. Regardless of status, every worker must always strive to grow their communication abilities.

The following are a few things you can do to be a more effective communicator on the job.

Face-to-face communication whenever possible

The University of Phoenix survey also found 75 percent of businesses give their employees an email account. As a result, many employees avoid face-to face interaction by using emails, as well as text messages and instant messenger missives. The problem with this is the potential for misunderstandings.

Furthermore, the survey found that 40 percent of respondents would rather talk face to face, and 30 percent would rather converse over an instant messenger platform.

In an effort to be a better communicator, cultivate face-to-face interaction with your co-workers, getting up from your desk and walking over to talk to a colleague whenever possible. In addition to decreasing email clutter, emphasizing face-to-face interactions also boosts efficiency, leads to more physical activity and strengthens rapport with co-workers.

Be willing to say no

Sometimes, being very agreeable can really benefit your career. However, being overly agreeable can lead to a mentality where you want to please everyone. When you slide down that hill and start saying ‘yes’ to everything, you can quickly get overwhelmed.

By saying no to some things, you avoid biting off more than you can chew. A good method is to be consistent in telling others what you will and won’t do for them. For instance, if you’re at risk of falling behind in your work, don’t commit to taking on more work. It’s safer to avoid something upfront than not complete the task you said you would do.

By being helpful, but consistent, you gain credibility, respect and trust.

Listen

The most proficient communicators are experts at paying attention to others and reading between the lines. Being a good listener means avoiding the temptation to always interject your own thoughts, opinions or assumptions while someone else is talking. Alternatively, ask open-ended follow-up questions based on what you heard. This shows you are listening and paying attention to the person. It indicates your respect for them and for what they are sharing.

By exercising good listening skills, won’t just become a better communicator, you’ll also gain the respect through your interactions.

At Career Concepts, we guide professionals with respect to both their hard technical skills and soft people skills so they can achieve their career goals. If you’re looking to work for a staffing firm that offers this level of support, please contact us today.