An alarming 86% of workplaces struggle with effective communication. For teams and businesses, communication is vital to success. How can you build communication skills within your workplace? Follow the four ways below to tear down barriers, while increasing communication skills, for your team and business.
Encourage Vulnerability
Team members should feel comfortable openly communicating with colleagues and leaders. In order to foster this openness, you must create a culture of transparency where questions are welcome, information is freely shared, and leaders truly listen to employee feedback and suggestions. You can also provide regular opportunities for coworkers to interact with one another whether that is through social events or team-building activities. When you present an open and safe platform for communication or vulnerability, you will find more productive and cohesive business discussions.
Practice Active Listening
Giving someone your full attention, paraphrasing back what you heard, and asking pertinent questions following a conversation requires focus and concentration but is vital for letting your team know they have been heard and are valued. Active listening can help build trust, improve understanding, and resolve any conflict in the workplace (and beyond). When you show respect and engagement, you will get the same in return. Colleagues will likely follow suit and active listening will trickle down through the organization from the modeled behavior as well.
Use Clear and Concise Language
Jargon is best left out of instructions or requests. Not everyone will understand industry or company-specific language. To reduce the chances of misunderstandings and demolish communication barriers, try sticking to common knowledge words and explaining in plain language. Be aware of any cultural differences that may impact politeness and intrusiveness as well. You want to be clear and concise without being brash or cold to maintain a positive work environment.
Understand Communication Styles
Having the ability to read your team’s unique communication styles will make you an exponentially better communicator. You give yourself the opportunity to adapt to their personality style, manage the interaction efficiently and effectively, and influence the outcome. Providing DISC or other behavioral assessments along with training for your entire workforce allows them to relate and talk to each other in a way that the other person feels they are being understood in the interaction. It will positively impact employee engagement, productivity, retention, referrals, reviews, sales, and growth – the list is endless.
By finding ways to overcome communication barriers, you can foster a more productive and positive work environment for your entire team. By encouraging vulnerability, practicing active listening, using clear and concise language, and understanding communication styles, you are building excellent communication skills within your business. Note the difference that implementing these steps makes in your workplace.
Empowered Leadership helps businesses find freedom through business coaching, executive coaching, assessments, and training. If you need help fostering better communication within your business or administering DISC assessments and training, I’d love to chat and help guide you. Click on the button to contact me.
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