Tips on how to better communicate with your coworkers

Tips on how to better communicate with your coworkers. In the digital age, workers feel better talking behind a screen than face-to-face. You can use your phone to text or email and chat with other people. Here, you probably use emojis to express feelings, because it is extremely common.

However, according to some recent data, there is a significant gap between how effectively students and young professionals believe they communicate and what employers think of those skills. While most young people believe they communicate well, less than a third of employers agree.

Importance of good verbal communication

Effective communication is based on a wide range of different factors. Namely, the things you say and the way you say them. Also, your writing skills, and even your overall appearance. All of these things affect the way you send and receive information.

In the digital age, oral communication skills in the workplace remain vital. There will be all kinds of situations at work where you will need these skills. From business meetings to product or service workshops. Also, when giving a presentation, or even a conference call to colleagues or clients. Even in simple day-to-day conversations.

What advantages does good communication in the workplace offer?

When you communicate well, you avoid wasted time, miscommunication, and conflict. You also have some control over how people see the information.

In the professional context, where “time is money,” good oral communication skills mean that you can convey proper and relevant information quickly and efficiently. That leads to better results. Avoid sending emails that confuse your team. Your message needs to be clear. Show your professionalism and competence to others, especially your superiors.

So. how do you develop better oral communication skills to improve your work and accelerate your professional development?

There are many examples. However, these four are very common. There are tips on how you can communicate better during these situations and how you can adapt them for other types of interactions.

How to better communicate with your coworkers: In meetings

Whether you are hosting or attending a meeting, you want to convey your views concisely, clearly, and directly. If you say too little, you run the risk of not conveying your opinion. If you say too much, you run the risk of boring or distracting. Take a moment before you speak to think about what exactly you want to say.

This will help you sharpen your focus and avoid talking too much. In general, thinking before you speak is a good habit to develop. Also, sometimes you have to wait to make your point. So make a bulleted list of the points you plan to highlight. This allows you to focus your comments and avoid feeling the need to interrupt.

How to better communicate with your coworkers: In presentations

At some point, you may need to make a presentation. If you are not good at speaking in front of others, you will also have to deal with speaking in public. It is key to prepare ahead of time and practice. It can make you feel more confident. That can help you a lot. Again, be sure of what you want to say.

Think of the key ideas or messages you need to convey. Also, make sure your presentation is good and interesting. Try to use words and short sentences that best summarize each idea. And try to speak as slowly as you can. Even if you feel nervous and want to rush through it. Focus on each key idea and don’t hurry. You can avoid confusion and get the job done better.

How to better communicate with your coworkers: In workshops

Workshops are common in the workplace. These are the spaces where you can explore, shape and develop ideas. Or also discard them if they’re not good. If you are going to a workshop, take the time to think about why you are there. You must know what you want to achieve, and what the overall goals are.

Again, this will help you focus on your goals and clarify your messages. Remember to be respectful to the other speakers and try not to interrupt. Listening and reflecting on what you want and need to say will ensure clear communication. Make sure to keep your message clear and to the point you want to make. The way you develop your reputation in the workplace, the way you learn and evolve, as well as help your business grow, will influence how others see you.

How to better communicate with your coworkers: In conversations

Conversations happen in the workplace all the time. They can be directly related to work or to other topics between coworkers. So, think of conversations as way of getting your (collective) job done. Also, as a way to build good and meaningful relationships with your colleagues.

How can I become a communicative person?

Good oral communication relies mostly on good listening skills. You must get what someone is saying to respond appropriately. Don’t be afraid to repeat what someone says to make sure you understand. Make you’re both on the same page. Use language that conveys respect for the other person’s point of view, even if you disagree. Good listening is a key part of being able to communicate effectively.

When communicating in the workplace, it is important to be respectful of your colleagues and remain professional even in the most casual interactions.

Lastly, try to be confident in the way you communicate. Avoid making statements that may sound like questions, although you should be careful not to appear arrogant or aggressive. Be assertive in what you say while listening and sympathize with others. Confidence in yourself and what you say shows that you believe in what you do and that you will deliver.

There are many barriers to communication and these can occur at any stage in the communication process. Barriers can lead to the message being distorted and therefore to the risk of wasting time and/or money by causing confusion and misunderstandings. Effective communication involves overcoming these barriers and conveying a clear and concise message.

When communication occurs in the intercultural context, extra caution is necessary, since different cultures have different norms regarding non-verbal communication, and different words will be interpreted differently.