Communication skills is at the top of the list of what hiring managers are looking for. And with good reason. Strong communication is how we show attention, inspire change, and get things done. It's what allows relationships to develop smoothly. It's how we show attention, inspire change, and get things done. In the workplace, an effective communicator motivates a team and promotes productivity. How you communicate contributes to your own success, and ultimately to that of your organization.
Get on the Same Page
Miscommunication can be blamed for most conflicts, whether they’re personal or professional. Keep in mind that effective communication is less about talking and more about active listening. Approaching your interactions by listening first will help you better frame what you want to convey. Prioritize listening and empathy and recognize that hearing different opinions can help improve company culture and strengthen your team.
Be Thoughtful
Before creating any type of communication, start by asking yourself a few questions: Why are you communicating? Who is the audience? What is your objective? What do you want the recipient to do in response? What format will best accomplish your goal? If you’re unable to answer any of these questions, take more time to consider what and why you’re communicating. Once you’ve prepared your message, be sure it’s actually up to the job. Keep revising until it fulfills its mission.
Check Yourself
Reflect on what goes well and what doesn’t in your daily communications. Have you sent an email that was poorly received or misinterpreted? What will you do differently in the future to craft a clearer message? Has a conversation with a colleague not produced the results you needed? Consider how you presented the information and determine if you clearly communicated your needs.
You could even go a step further and record yourself interacting with your team — with their permission, of course. Watching the playback will provide valuable insight on your tone of voice, your eye contact, and your facial expressions and body language. Are you sending the right message? Do you provide others a chance to speak, ask questions, or clarify points?
Ask for Feedback
If you’re willing to put yourself out there, asking some colleagues or your manager to rate your communication skills could really pay off. Begin by asking them to rate your written and spoken communication independently. Next, ask three important questions: What one thing should I start doing to communicate better with you? What one thing should I stop doing? In what one area could I improve how I communicate in our organization? Ideally, you’ll receive feedback that is clear and actionable — improving things for both you and your colleagues.
Good communication helps boost employee morale, engagement, and productivity. It is fundamental to better team collaboration. Ultimately, effective workplace communication helps drive better results for individuals, teams, and organizations. We all can benefit from continuously working to improve these important skills.
ON TOPIC
Remote teams have unique communication challenges. They don’t have the benefit of the bonding that happens organically in an office setting, so they must find alternative ways to nurture relationships and build trust. To that end, they cannot fall into the trap of miscommunication that so often happens over email and online chats. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to communicating with your remote team members:
Make expectations clear. It’s critical to voice your expectations at the start of any communication — written or verbal — and then repeat them at the end. To be certain there’s no confusion, ask the team member or members to repeat what is expected of them before moving on.
Find creative outlets. It’s easy for folks to separate themselves when working remotely. Managers, therefore, must provide opportunities for everyone to be part of the conversation. Ask questions that require actual responses. Mix things up and request responses in unexpected forms, such as GIFs, emojis, or even a specific number of words. It may seem silly, but it will help increase engagement and allow people to share more of their personality.
Vary your communication. Face time is important, and just because your team is remote doesn’t mean you can’t see each other. Schedule — and thoughtfully plan — video meetings when appropriate. Meeting on screen allows people to not only receive information, but they can also pick up on facial cues and vocal expressions. Seeing others, even on-screen, helps establish stronger connections and provides a place for people to work out any confusion or misunderstanding in real time.
Be Respectful. While managers should respect employee’s personal lives, it’s important to show you care. Because the nature of remote works limits personal interaction, at times it may seem like the recipients of your communications are just names. Remember that they are real people who have their own sets of challenges, worries, aspirations, and doubts. Be mindful of their humanity before every communication — and treat them with the same professionalism you’d expect to receive.
