Do you consider yourself to be an effective communicator? Do you have
a way with language or do you stumble over your words? Perhaps you
believe you are communicating well, but in reality others often
misunderstand you.
Below are some no-nonsense suggestions and philosophies to assist you
in getting your point across more easily at the office. We hope you
find them helpful. So, without further a-do, let’s get started!
Say What You Mean & Mean What You Say
1) Be Direct, Concise and to the Point
Vagueness and misunderstanding seem to be all too common in the
workplace. However, one can easily learn to communicate more effectively
by spelling it all out – like a reporter might do – and providing the
who, what, when and, why. It should be cut and dry.
A boss may say, ‘Why haven’t you sent that report to me yet? I
need it now!” But a more effective way to communicate the message would
be to say, “Would you please have that report on my desk by 5 p.m. on
Friday.” It’s polite, to the point, and it provides a specific deadline.
2) Avoid Being Long-Winded
Similar to being direct, concise, and to the point, this little tip
is an important one to remember. People do not need to know every single
thing that you know when it comes to workplace communication. Try to
pick out the most crucial points you would like to make clear to your
audience.
What should an employee say when their boss asks why a project is
not completed? Most likely their boss will not appreciate a lengthy
explanation about how their hard drive crashed after their baby cousin
was playing with their laptop, and how they have half of the material
saved on a jump drive, and so forth… Instead just keep it brief and be
honest.
3) Recognize Attitude & Tone are Important
Your attitude while speaking to someone is key, as it is not just
your words that convey the message. It is also about your body language,
eye contact, and tone of voice. Try not to fidget or shuffle your feet.
Give the person your full attention.
At the very least put away your phone!
4) Remember That it is Not Always About You
Keep in mind that the world doesn’t completely revolve around
you. If you are open-minded and take into consideration other
perspectives and opinions, you may find it much easier to convey your
own message. Try to ask open-ended questions, which can help clarify
what the other person is trying to say.
If you are having trouble with communicating with someone, you
could try asking “I am not sure I quite understand what you are saying.
Would you be able to give me an example?”
A couple additional tips when it comes to workplace
communication would include not gossiping with co-workers, which may
identify you as someone not to be trusted. Don’t beat around the bush,
as they say, and get to the point quickly, especially if you are
delivering bad news.
For more helpful employment advice, be sure to check out our website at www.hhstaffingservices.com and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HHStaffingServices.
We also have a number of terrific employment opportunities for you in
Sarasota, Orlando, Tampa, & Fort Lauderdale. We are currently hiring
for an Accounts Receivable Billing Clerk, an HR Assistant, a Revenue
Cycle Specialist, Administrative Assistants, Maintenance Technicians,
and more. Contact us today and we can help you get back to work ASAP.