Communication in the workplace can be one of the most difficult parts of any given day. Since almost all departments, positions and duties require communicating, whether it is via phone, email or in person; you and your team must all be on the same page in order to communicate effectively. When communication breaks down, it will cause lower workplace morale and decrease productivity.
There are ways to improve workplace communication to provide more engaged employees, greater productivity, and higher workplace morale. By following these tips, you will begin to see a change in how your team communicates and an increase in productivity.
Tips to improve workplace communication:
- Change conversation to each audience – Whether you are communicating with a co-worker, your boss, a customer or random individual, you may need to speak in a different style and share what you have to say differently.
By understanding behavioral communication styles, you will be able to adapt your style to match theirs for increased understanding and commitment.
- Listen actively to the speaker – When you become an active listener, it not only means you are being respectful but you are making a conscious effort to fully understand what the person is saying. This also means paying good attention to their facial and body language as they talk. Movements help you better understand what they are saying and help you remember.
- Be direct and concise – When you are relaying a message to someone else (whether it is spoken or written), make sure you are being concise and direct. In other words, make sure that the language you are using is unambiguous and relatively easy to understand. Throughout the conversation, continue to check to see if the listener understands what you are saying.
If you follow these three easy simple tips, not only will you be a better communicator and listener, but you will begin to notice employee morale and productivity increase. The workplace will be working as a unified team rather than a fragmented one.
If you have any questions about this article, or about how we can help you enhance your communications, team building, performance, leadership, strategy, and / or hiring needs, contact us today!