Working for a company is a collaborative effort. It takes a team to conduct business, and there must be a free flow of communication to keep things moving. Everything from training to team building to production and distribution needs effective correspondence and discourse.
Communication skills aren’t part of our anatomy. We need to learn and develop them to be successful at work. When you improve communication at your company, it will increase your productivity. You can share information with team members and help them understand your vision.
Are you looking for how to improve communication skills at work? There are effective ways to promote and provide clear channels of dialogue and information interchange. Let’s learn how to improve communication skills at work.
1. Listen more at work.
There’s a saying that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listening and observing body language is as vital as communicating ideas and information. We must understand what someone is saying, so we should be focused and silent. Take it all in and listen for the tone that is being used.
Absorb the information, and don’t be too quick to respond so you can fully comprehend and summarize the message. Then you can communicate back to the other person so they can do the same.
2. Use effective communication in your emails.
We use computers and smartphones to communicate all day in this digital age. An email is an effective tool used most to communicate in the workplace, and how and what you write is a permanent record.
Make sure to read over what you type out. We get busy, and sending off a quick email can be full of spelling errors or inaccurate information that could result in errors on the production floor or with clients. Edit down what you are saying, so there is enough clarity and information to get your point across. Above all, be professional because these are business emails, not casual communication with friends.
3. Use employee communication software.
The workplace is always evolving, and many companies are changing to a hybrid model of in-house and remote workers. This can make it challenging for staff to communicate effectively. Fortunately, there are employee communication software platforms to keep everyone connected.
These digital platforms unite people through a communal, intranet connection that seamlessly allows for sharing documents and other information. They also have a communication suite to visually connect and provide real-time feedback, whether on the shop floor, up in the C suite or across the globe with a remote worker.
Communicating and collaborating on one platform keeps everyone on the same page and feeling connected, whether working on the same project or catching up during lunch.
4. Encourage feedback at work.
When working with team members, you will be dialoguing regularly. Depending on the hierarchy, you may have workers under you as well. Be receptive to feedback from co-workers and subordinates because you want to make sure they understand what you are saying.
If they ask questions or have comments, listen to them and take them on board. You can also see their body language to see if they are receptive to how you communicate. You want to be productive in your conversations, so be adaptable to how you share information so everyone can digest it.
5. Polish your speaking skills.
In the business world of emails, texts and messaging, we use our voices less and less. To keep the communication going at work, you must have person-to-person talks and regular oral presentations to keep exchanging information.
Have regular staff meetings to catch up and give out new information. It’s also a chance to open up the floor for any comments or questions. Sharing information with a group gets your message out en masse, so you don’t have to repeat things individually.
You should also have personal conversations with staff members because they may need specific instruction or advisement, giving them a direct opportunity to talk without being in a group. Never underestimate the power of the spoken word.
6. Master communication on the telephone.
While at work, you may field a high volume of phone calls as part of your position. Knowing how to be effective on the phone gives clear communication and saves time.
These are business calls, so professionalism with a large dash of positivity goes a long way. Your time is important, and so is the caller’s time, so be clear and to the point, whether speaking to a customer, co-worker or vendor.
Knowing how to handle calls is a great skill and the art of communication, so remain calm, listen and then clearly disseminate your information.
