How to communicate right in the workplace
We’ve compiled four major ways you can use to communicate effectively at work:
- Speak with Purpose and Vocal Conviction
Pitch, projection, and speed are the three most important factors to keep in mind. Sing-songy voices can be smothered at critical business meetings where the male vocal range is primarily prominent. Women’s vocals naturally have a higher range than men’s, therefore they might benefit from singing in a lower octave.
- Avoid submissive body language and own your space
Using body language and speech patterns that convey power while gaining the respect you’ve worked hard to achieve are some of the ways you may become a more confident communicator, especially in the workplace.
- Clasping your hands –In the ‘fig leaf’ stance, if you keep your hands clasped together, it might be seen as an indication that you are unsure of yourself or lack self-confidence. Decide what your hands should be doing when you aren’t gesturing, and then find a way to hold them in that posture.
- Crossing your legs while standing –In order to avoid looking like you’re apologizing for consuming so much space, it is best to keep your legs crossed when standing. Avoid slouching by keeping your feet shoulder-width apart and straightening your back instead This shows that you are in control of your environment and are self-assured.
Show that you’re in charge of the room by occupying a larger portion of it. Take up space with deliberate actions that direct attention to important places in the material instead.
- Friendliness
You may encourage open and honest communication with your colleagues by using a pleasant tone, a personal inquiry, or even a simple grin. It’s critical to be kind and respectful of others while on the job. Both face-to-face and textual communication can benefit from this skill. A simple “I hope you had a wonderful weekend” at the beginning of an email may personalize a message and make the receiver feel valued. Personalize your emails to coworkers and/or employees whenever you can.
- Clarity and Concision
The key to effective communication is to speak exactly the right amount – don’t go overboard or under express yourself. Use as few words as possible to express your message. Speak plainly and directly, whether you’re talking to someone face-to-face or over the phone or in an email conversation. The person listening to you will either tune you out or be uncertain of what you want if you ramble on. Think about what you want to say before you say it; this will assist you to avoid speaking too much and/or confusing your listeners.
Conclusion
There is a lot of work involved in perfecting these talents, even if they appear simple at first. When you have good communication skills, it’s easier to navigate your interactions with people.
As with any other talent, the ability to communicate effectively is an important one. In time, it too may be mastered. It is never too late to start working on your communication skills, and the time and effort you put in will pay off quickly.
Sources: Rampo, Second Nature, Skills You Need, Decker
