Communication is one of the critical pillars that help create a cordial working relationship in the workplace. Effective communication strategies create sufficient teamwork, understanding, and coordination. Businesses which have a particular focus on creating an open communication platform for everyone stand to benefit much, with such benefits leading to operational efficiency. To improve communication in the workplace, one needs to focus on five areas.
Offering undivided attention
One of the critical aspects that help support communication in the workplace is the ability to provide full attention to a person trying to communicate with you. If the person speaking to you sees that you have offered them total attention by maintaining eye contact and avoiding common communication distractions, then he or she is greatly motivated to open up.
Being a good listener
During communication, listening is just as essential as talking. For effective communication to take place, one party must listen while the other is talking. Excellent listening skills imply offering the person talking to you an opportunity to self-express without interrupting unnecessarily. For a healthy communication session, the listener and the speaker must take turns to switch roles.
Communicate in an inspirational way
To boost your communication in the workplace, it is vital to endeavor to become inspirational through the ideas and facts you put across. This has to do with ensuring that you master the topic and arrange your points well. Depending on the type of communication session involved, you may have to put in additional efforts, such as preparing in advance, to ensure that you offer thought-provoking points.
Leverage nonverbal cues
Communication does not always have to do with verbally talking to the other person. To spruce up your communication skills in the workplace, it is vital to think of ways in which you can incorporate non-verbal cues. Mastering the use and understanding of body language, facial expressions, and tonal variations helps you to become not only a good speaker but also a good listener.
Use multiple channels suitably
Different communication instances require the use of different channels of communication. To ensure that you are competent in your communication, it is essential to consider mastering the various channels of communication and the suitability of each in a workplace situation. Other than face-to-face communication, other channels include phone conversations, emails, phone SMS, printed notices, and even video conferencing.