You might start your day with a cheerful “good morning” gif or pepper your team chat with emojis, but effective workplace communication goes way beyond these casual exchanges. Cat memes may be great for team bonding, but they won’t help you nail that presentation or clarify project goals.
When it comes to discussing tasks, sharing ideas, or giving feedback, clarity is always key in the workplace. We’ve all been there – trying to decipher a vague email or failing to relay a complex concept to a coworker as clearly as intended.
To level up your work communication skills, we’re sharing 5 tips on how to convey your ideas clearly, avoid misunderstandings, and collaborate more effectively with your team – whether you’re working remotely or in the office.
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1. Where are you communicating?
For smooth workplace communication in-office or remotely, you need to know your channels of communication, and when to use them. Are you meeting in person, shooting your colleague a casual message, giving them a ring, or sending them an email? You must discern which channel is most appropriate for your communications and go from there.
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2. Your timing should be appropriate, too
Just as you would not bombard a manager with a big proposal as they arrive at work, you wouldn’t want to communicate complex ideas or thoughts to your team members at whim, via text message or online.
Instead, save these important communications for your weekly one-on-one, or agree on a time to chat. This way, your thoughts and ideas will be received with full attention, at a time that suits all parties involved.
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3. Be mindful of your non-verbal cues
Communication isn’t just about the words you choose—it’s also about the silent signals you’re sending. Your body language and tone of voice can speak volumes, sometimes even louder than your actual words. Are you unknowingly crossing your arms, giving off a defensive vibe? Is your voice sounding a bit short, even if you don’t mean to be curt?
It’s important to remember that your colleagues aren’t mind readers. They can’t tell if you’re just tired from a late night or stressed about personal matters. Without that context, they might interpret your slouched posture or furrowed brow as signs of anger or frustration related to work.
This is especially crucial during those tricky, sensitive conversations. Take a moment to check in with yourself. Are your shoulders tense? Is your face scrunched up? Try to consciously relax your body and soften your expression. It’s all about avoiding those unintentional signals that could muddy your message. It can be easier said than done.
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4. Practice listening skills
Effective workplace communication is a two-way street. While expressing your ideas is important, truly listening to your colleagues is equally as.crucial. Many of us fall into the trap of “listening to reply” – focusing on our next point rather than fully absorbing what’s being said. This can lead to missed information and unproductive conversations.
Instead, practice active listening. Give your full attention to the speaker, avoiding the urge to formulate your response while they’re talking. If an important thought pops up, jot it down quickly and return your focus to your colleague.
This approach helps you absorb the full message, including the little nuances that could be overlooked. By listening to understand, you’ll hold space for better collaboration, catch important details, and show respect for your team members’ input.
5. Are you sticking to the facts or telling stories?
Facts are objective events everyone would agree on, while stories are our interpretations of these events. For instance, receiving feedback during a team meeting is a fact. Assuming your manager is dissatisfied with your work is a story.
We all create stories, but it’s crucial to recognise them for what they are. Before acting on a story, validate it. In this example, ask for feedback from your manager in your next one-on-one. This approach helps prevent misunderstandings and promotes more effective workplace communication.
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Feature Image: Unsplash / Christina Wocintechchat
