When you are initiating communications in the workplace it is imperative to understand that while what you say is important, how you say it is even more vital. Your communication skills and methods are what make you a good leader. It is what separates a true leader from one who is simply given the responsibility of leading.
Communicating properly with your team not only helps you get your point across, it helps you build relationships with your staff and builds the foundation for a healthy and efficient workplace.
Once communications in the workplace are done properly, misunderstandings are prevented or even eliminated, work flows much more smoothly and tasks are accomplished with less stress and tension.
Here are some of the way you can communicate effectively with your team:
1. Initiate open meetings
Utilizing this approach will allow you to be heard, seen and felt. While written communication certainly helps, open meetings with staff will enable you to communicate your passion for your work and the business much more easily. Open meetings allow for more personal communication between every member of the team.
2. Send emails
Not only can email ensure that you have a log of each and every conversation, the paper trail will prevent misunderstandings and miscommunications. Emails also allow you to pass on messages without pulling employees from their desks.
3. One-on-one conversations
One of the most effective ways to implement communications in the workplace is to have one-on-one chats with them. This allows you to be more open with each other without the fear of judgment from other team members.
4. Exude confidence and seriousness
Know what you are talking about and show it. Exuding confidence and seriousness will ensure you that your team will not take what you say for granted. If you show uncertainty or lack of authority, your team members will more likely feel like the information you are sharing isn’t really important enough to remember and can be disregarded.
5. Utilize simple language
Not everyone will have an extensive vocabulary; therefore, effective communications in the workplace entail having to use simple and straightforward words and statements. Utilize words that can be understood simply instead of ambiguous and vague language that can be misconstrued or can cause confusion.
6. Listen
In as much as talking is a part of communicating with your team, so is listening. Effective and proper communication is dynamic. It is a conversation, rather than a monologue. Encourage your staff members to speak up, and to talk about the issues they want to bring up that are relevant to the work and to the working environment in the company.
7. Utilize proper body language and tone of voice
In order to pass on your message more effectively, be aware of your body language and your tone of voice. What message do you want to send? How do you want your staff members to react? Be aware that your body language and tone of voice should always aim to motivate and inspire your staff members to move towards good change, and to encourage them to speak up so that they feel like valued employees of the company.
8. Show appreciation
After each session with your team, thank them for listening and thank them for their time. Always remember that the point of working with others is sharing ideas and boosting productivity. Appreciation cost you nothing, but is absolutely valuable. It will make your staff members feel like their contributions to the company are appreciated, and will motivate them to continue working harder and doing better.
