Greetings!
Communication is complex. Most of us need to pay far more attention to it than we do. Most problems in any organization is due to inadequate communications among coworkers. We are all different. We do not have the same communication needs, nor do we all see the value of each type the same.
Good communication requires work. Well thought out approaches with significant consideration to others and what they need is key to good communication skills. Good communication includes: - Keeping others informed of what they need to know, without providing too much unnecessary information.
- Accuracy is key, sending wrong messages can create significant negative results.
- Timeliness of delivering information.
- Getting back to people via phone, email, social media.
- Making sure the information is correct and people have what they need is the goal!
There are some basic essential skills that we all need in order to be effective communicators:
- The ability to problem solve
- Adapt and respect different styles of communication
- Building trust, clarifying responses
- Providing positive feedback
- Initiate effective confrontation when need be...Resolve Conflict!
Good communication takes time and effort but well worth it. Most of the issues that I find hindering optimal organization performance is all about communication. Certainly conflict is a direct result of inadequate communication. Building strong teams, resolving conflict, improving personal communication style are all critical to making the changes necessary.
How much time does your organization spend on this critical skill at all levels? Improving communication is not about a brief seminar on the topic but rather learning implementation strategies that create changes necessary to sustain positive results forever.
Begin now...start assessing your own style.
Consider these tips: - Think through what you plan on saying well before you say it
- Keep message clear and to the point
- Give encouragement, express thanks from colleagues, give praise
- Ask the right questions for full understanding. Listen more than you talk in order to understand views and feelings of others.
- Clarify what someone has said to ensure "on the same page" with messages.
- Learn to accept criticism, apologize
- Seek win/win
- Remove the "ego"
- Back up points with logic
- Disagree with "tact"
- Be sensitive to the power of non verbal communication..tone, eye contact, gestures, head nodding, smiling, open posture
- Bring disagreements into the open...sooner than later
- Don't let tension build!
Many of those that I coach improve on the skills above but we first identify how they approach communication naturally. Identifying what we value related to communication while understanding our needs differ is when we can identify traits to change to make meaningful improvements.
If interested in going through this process, you can do so either by direct contact with me for one on one coaching or consider our online coaching and assessment opportunities. Taking the time to improve on communication style will change your life, in your work life as well as personal life.
We talk about communication alot, but so little effort is spent on improving it. Stop and think about how you and/your team could benefit from a focus on communication improvement strategies to last!
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