Published Nov 2016

Effective Communication at Work

Categories
Share

Effective Communication at Work

People take communication for granted and without it, no one would achieve anything. Communicating with people helps you get what you need, answer your questions and deal with emotions. Conversations are an automatic response a lot of the time, so how can people get it so wrong?

Social Situations

A lot of the time, poor communication skills evolve from one’s personality. This does not mean to say that certain people will never be able to communicate well, it simply means that they may need to adapt in certain situations, as we all do. If you have a quieter, calmer nature, then it may mean that you struggle to communicate, simply because you may be shy or reserved in situations. Not only may this mean that you might not speak up, it will also affect your body language.

Non-verbal communication is a huge giveaway on one’s feelings and personality, and is often picked up by the recipient’s gut feeling. Sometimes, you speak to someone and feel like they were being off with you or didn’t seem interested in the conversation, although what they were saying all made sense. This is most probably down to their body language.

Even the slightest movements show how you are feeling. Fidgeting, facial expressions and posture all translate feelings outwards. So, being aware of your body language is vital, particularly at work because first impressions really do count.

While body language tends to be of concern for introverts, for extroverts it is the complete opposite. This type of personality tends to be loud, outgoing and confident. Communication is a two-way street, and you must be as good a listener as you are a talker. Dismissing people’s responses may cause you to come across as arrogant or someone that does not care about other’s feelings. Lack of eye contact, turning away, and fidgeting can all give off the impression that you are not listening, which creates a poor impression.

Communication in Business

All communication in business is vital. The perception that people have of you can either make or break a deal. Similarly, people in leadership roles must consider how they portray themselves when communicating with their employees. Being relatable is a key personality traits for managers, otherwise you struggle to gain the respect of your colleagues. Humour, an open mind and a positive outlook can also improve relations and productivity at work. Ensuring that all communication is clear, thought-out and direct will help people to comprehend what you are saying and be more willing to cooperate.

Telephone Communication

Not all communication is face to face. In business, a lot of conversations are take place over the phone or via email. Without body language and facial expressions, it can be difficult to portray yourself relying on verbal communication only, but it is possible. What’s more, phone systems in businesses must be reliable and effective for your company. Opus Telecoms strives to guarantee that you can contact your clients without worrying about poor connectivity, unprofessional handovers or inaudible conversations, allowing your business to run as it should, and allowing you to communicate effectively.

Go to Top