Communicating Effectively at Work
As human beings, communication is crucial to our survival. We constantly need to express ourselves hence the need to communicate. It is important to note the distinction between communication and effective communication. According to the Management Study Guide, “Communication is simply the flow of information from the first party (the sender) to the second party (the receiver) irrespective of whether the recipient has properly downloaded the message or not, whereas effective communication is the flow of information in exactly the same manner the sender intends to do so.” They cite the following example to buttress this definition:
Boss to his employee -“ I want you to bring the file to my table”.
The boss left the poor employee confused as he forgot to mention the name of the file and the employee also didn’t bother to ask his boss. The boss did communicate to his employee but the message was not clear to his employee.
In this scenario, the boss has communicated something to his employee but has not communicated effectively by not indicating the file the employee should bring. This scenario plays out in our daily lives. We are constantly communicating but many times not effectively. Effective communication is as vital to the development of an organization as it is to our personal lives. Many organizations have lost contracts as a result of ineffective communication. Little wonder why it is one of the top skills recruiters look out for when hiring
Why is Effective Communication Crucial to Career Success?
It facilitates team building
The adage “no man is an island” rings true when working in an organization. We constantly have to work in teams to achieve the goals of that organization. Working together with people to achieve a common goal requires effective communication; you will need to communicate your ideas and consider other people’s opinions to work in harmony.
2. It fosters client relationship
The reason why an organization exists in the first place is to satisfy the needs of its clients. To do that, they must understand the needs of these clients and communicate effectively. Developing effective communication skills helps you to understand the needs of clients, resolve any complaints or doubts they have, and present new information to the understanding of these clients.
3. It aids productivity
When accurate, clear and complete information is provided, it is easier to get the work done well. In this way, people are more productive.
These are just a few reasons why effective communication skills are vital to your career development.
How to Develop Effective Communication Skills
Here are a few ways to develop your effective communications skills:
Learn to listen
Many times, we are in a hurry to give our opinions, or we listen to reply rather than to understand. Listening is an essential aspect of effective communication. It involves paying attention to what others have to say without interrupting them. We need to listen to understand people.
2. Be conscious of your body language
Communication can be verbal or non-verbal. We do not only communicate with spoken or written words, we communicate through our gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice etc. Body language is just as important as spoken words and many times is more important in conveying your message than spoken words. For instance, maintaining eye contact while a person is speaking shows that one is listening. Body language can either put people at ease, build trust and draw others towards a person, or it can offend, confuse and undermine what a person is trying to convey.
3. Know your audience
It is critical to consider the kind of people one is speaking to as this will determine your style of communication. A lawyer, for instance, will be communicating ineffectively if he used legal terminology in communicating with an engineer.
4. Use appropriate words
Sometimes, we use complex words in a bid to leave a positive impression. Unfortunately, this often leads to confusion. Other times, we use the wrong words, thereby leaving room for misinterpretation. In the end, it is important to note that simplicity is key to communicating effectively. Simple words aid clarity.
5. Choose the right communication medium
Choosing the appropriate means of communication to send one’s message across is crucial. For instance, some messages are better-transmitted face to face, while for others, an email may suffice.
6. Seek feedback
Communication is only effective when there is feedback. This shows whether the intended message has been understood. It is necessary to ask questions and seek clarification to ensure that the intended message has been conveyed.
In conclusion, learning to communicate effectively is a continuous process and requires patience to get it right.
Sources
https://www.europeanbusinessreview.com/the-importance-of-effective-communication/
https://leadershipchoice.com/power-good-communication-workplace/#:~:text=Communication%20can%20improve%20employee%20engagement,that%20may%20otherwise%20go%20unnoticed.
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/communication-benefits
https://www.managementstudyguide.com/difference-communication-and-effective-communication.htm
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