February 20th, 2022
How to Achieve Effective Communication in the Workplace
Leading a team requires taking responsibility for your actions. It’s, no surprise that good communication skills are a top characteristic of great leaders. Many organizations are ramping up efforts to improve effective workplace communication. Poor communication costs companies an average of $62.4 million each year. If your managers and other team leads struggle to communicate effectively, you’ve come to the right place. The PrideStaff staffing agency team gathered five critical tips for effective communication in the workplace.
What Does Effective Communication in the Workplace “actually” Mean?
Workplace communication is any form of information-sharing regarding work. Effective communication in the workplace occurs when your team:
- Focuses on the message
- Receive the information how you intended them to
- Buy into your propositions
- Can identify which details are critical in your message
- Walk away knowing the next steps
The Importance of Effective Communication in the Workplace
Why should you strive to improve workplace communication?
- Productivity – With effective communication, team members know what is expected of them and how their work contributes to the goals. It also creates an environment where employees feel encouraged to ask questions.
- Higher retention rates – Good communication gives your employees a voice. When your workers feel you value their input, this promotes employee satisfaction. Happy employees will want to stay longer, hence reduced turnover rates.
- Effective communication saves time.
- Effective communication facilitates strong management.
Five Tips for Effective Communication in the Workplace
1. Use the appropriate communication channels
With many platforms available for workplace communication, it’s easy to make mistakes and use the wrong communication channel. We can all agree on how crucial context is in messaging. Examine your company’s communication tools from zoom to email and instant messaging. Remember, the wrong medium could appear unprofessional or leave you unheard. Ask yourself these questions before sending a message.
- Which channel is appropriate for this type of message?
- Do I need to share this information in real-time or through instant messaging?
2. Strive to communicate face-to-face
Companies have used email as the primary communication channel. Since the pandemic began, the significance of face-to-face communication has been clear to avoid misinterpretation. The main issue with written communication is that it doesn’t fully convey the tone of the message. Face-to-face communication combines facial expressions and gestures.
If your team is currently teleworking, video conferencing is a great alternative. Even so, you ought to remember that video conferencing fatigue is possible. Consider using phone calls whenever you can to create a balance.
3. Be mindful of your body language and message delivery
Effective workplace communication isn’t about the message content. It includes the delivery as well. Sometimes your body language may give off negative cues. It’s essential to be mindful of your voice tone and body language.
4. Actively listen
Don’t simply hear; listen. Listening is a skill that many leaders struggle to hone. Remember, one aspect of collaboration is active listening. By listening to understand before replying, you give other team members a chance to air their views and ideas. It also reduces the likelihood of misinterpretation. It’s also through active listening that you can provide positive feedback. Doing so creates an environment where employees can offer suggestions.
5. Be diplomatic during conflict resolution
Maintaining diplomacy during conflict resolution is another way to ensure team members communicate. If you notice that an employee misinterpreted what a team member said, it’s wise to address it immediately. Ensure you maintain impartiality and advice the parties against making personal attacks. Actively listen to understand each party’s view while keeping an open mind. Doing so ensures your solution impacts the two parties.
Master Effective Workplace Communication With the Help of PrideStaff
We hope these tips for effective communication have been valuable. While good communication isn’t a skill you hone overnight, working with the right employment agency can make all the difference. PrideStaff employment agency in Fort Lauderdale has helped business leaders hone their communication skills. With our help, you too can achieve effective communication at work. We also provide administrative, call center, and clerical staffing solutions. Let us help you master effective workplace communication. Schedule a free consultation with us by calling 754.800.2850 today.