Having poor communication skills can have a negative effect on the relationships you share with coworkers, a boss or other employees. Productivity may even decrease due to a lack of effective communication in your workplace. Therefore, effective communication is extremely important and can play a key factor in the success of individuals in the workplace.
If you improve your interpersonal communication skills, you will in turn achieve more successful work relationships. Why? People who can communicate well know how to effectively send and receive messages. They not only get their point across but also listen while using both verbal and nonverbal cues. Are you an effective communicator? How can you improve your communication skills?
We have included several tips to immediately help improve your communication skills:
- Listen for understanding: make it a priority to understand what other people are thinking and feeling as they are talking to you.
- Try to reflect back your understanding of their thoughts and feelings with your responses.
- Ask for more information to avoid any misunderstandings. Tell the speaker to elaborate if you need clarifications.
- Ask follow up questions and encourage input from others. Communication is a two-way street, so make sure you’re allowing others to have a say. Focus on creating some give and take in your communication.
- Be clear and stay on topic. Limit distractions. Cut down on external distractions when you’re holding a conversation, including other calls or emails popping up.
- Stay alert – avoid closing your eyes, looking away or yawning. Maintain a steady stream of eye contact.
- Use body language to support your verbal communication – hand gestures, facial expressions, etc.
- Take notes. Taking notes is easy to do and will help you retain important information.
Incorporating these tips into your everyday workplace interactions will significantly increase your effectiveness and productivity. If you have other tips to include on this list, please feel free to reply to this post or add a comment to our LinkedIn discussion.
