Being able to effectively communicate is not only important in the workplace, but it is important in life. If you can effectively convey your ideas and thoughts to others it puts you in a great position. In the workplace, employees have to talk to a wide range of different people, including clients, supervisors, co-workers and suppliers. Therefore, it is worthwhile to think about the importance of effective communiation and to think about ways to accomplish it. Here are five tips for effective communication in the workplace.
Be Clear
Make sure you get your point across in a manner in which the person you're talking to knows exactly what is expected of them. This can save a lot of headaches later in the day when your co-worker didn't do what you wanted them to do because you didn't effectively tell them what to do.
Get to the Point
Don't beat around the bush. Not only are you wasting everybodys time but its annoying to listen to somebody who takes 15 minutes to explain something that could have been explained in 5.
Be Personal
Getting to the point ,however, does not mean communicating in a cold, unfriendly manner. Let your audience know you care about them as an individual too not just a co-worker, and that their input and opinions are highly valued.
Listen
Communicating is not a one way street. You have to be able to listen as well as communicate or else no one will ever want to talk to you because you seem close minded. You have to be able to do both.
Think Before You Speak
Don't rush into speaking, think about what you want to say, think about the best way to say it, then go ahead and say it. If you can do this you can avoid misunderstandings, and in times of hostility, you can keep yourself from saying something you might later regret.
References: Burris, Skylar. "Six Steps Towards Effective Communication at Work." 18 November 2008. April 19 2009. http://www.associatedcontent.com.
Its always important to be able to communicate in a friendly manner in the workplace. It's easy (especially as a manager) to come off as rude or demanding when you need things to get done. Great post Matt!
ReplyDeleteI believe that communicating effectively with people is what makes our economy throughout the world. From Ceo's to custodians, every job level requires you to communicate with one our multiple persons. We are a world full of people and in order to co-habitat communication needs to be clear, knowledgable, and effective There isn't a work cited on this post, try to fix that bro. It's been a pleasure working with you. Have a great summer.
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