How to Improve Communication in the Workplace

Tap to Read ➤ Neha Joshi

Every organization tries to achieve and maintain effective communication in its environment. Learn how to improve communication in your workplace with these 7 simple steps.

Communication is very important when two or more people are expected to work together in a particular place or towards a particular goal. It is one of the most important aspects in any relation. Whether your relations are personal or professional, effective communication is a must.

Sometimes the progress of an organization gets affected to a large extent due to lack of communication between its employees. Effective communication also leads to free flow of thoughts, which are again one of the most basic necessities for success and growth.

7 Simple Steps to Improve Communication

Availability

This is the first step towards increasing and improving communication in the workplace. The superiors or managers have to make themselves available so that those below them in the hierarchy can consult them at any given point.

Many a time, issues remained unsolved in an organization because the concerned person is not available. Only when one is available there can be exchange of information that helps decision-making and communication.

Feedback

This is one of the most important aspects of effective communication in an organization. Employee feedback helps the organization in more ways than one.

First, the employees feel that their opinions and suggestions are valued and that their say is important for the progress of the company.

Second, this feedback also helps the organization in detecting errors and loopholes in policies, structures, and procedures, so that necessary changes can be made whenever necessary, thus improving the efficiency. Third, meaningful feedback helps to make the job easier and more satisfying for the employees.

Seminars

Organizations should hold seminars and workshops after every few weeks. These also give a break from the everyday routine.

In these seminars, different methods and skills can be taught to employees. These skills are essential for success. Remember, only when you do something extra for your employees, will they do something more for you.

Reviewing

Reviewing employee performance is essential for the growth of the company and the well-being of its employees as a whole. After reviewing the progress should be discussed with him/her, accompanied with suggestions for improvement.

If efforts are taken for improving the performance of an employee, those efforts will surely be reciprocated and the employees will surely appreciate the fact that efforts are being taken to help them improve their skills.

This helps in building a positive approach and also helps in maintaining a healthy environment, which is necessary if proper communication needs to takes place. Remember, in the progress of an employee, lies the progress of the company.

Learn to Listen

Listening is one of the most important aspects of communication. You have to be receptive to thoughts, proposals, suggestions, and ideas. If you aren't, no one is going to take efforts to communicate with you.

Epictetus rightly said, we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak . Understand that there is a difference between hearing something and actually listening to it. Actively listening to grievances will help break a lot of communication barriers.

Assumptions

If you want to make a conscious effort and improve the communication in the workplace, stop judging people every now and then.

Assumptions always lead to wrong conclusions and spread a negative aura in the workplace. Do not assume the character of a person and even if you do, don't involve that with processes related to work.

Don't concentrate on the behavioral and personal traits of a person, rather focus on the skills that are necessary for the organization's growth. Like Bo Bennett said, communication is about being effective, not always about being proper .

Body Language

Body language is one of the most interfering aspects when it comes to improving communication in the workplace. A person's body language says a lot about what he/she thinks of another person.

A simple smirk can make all the difference, just like a simple smile does, but in a positive way. With improper body language, you feel as though you have already communicated a lot without even talking.

Like George Bernard Shaw said, the single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place . This kind of approach doesn't leave any place for effective communication. With a conscious effort, we all need to be pleasant and receptive even in terms of our body language.

In today's world, where competition is so huge, teamwork is one of the most important aspects. To achieve this, the importance of communication has to be understood and instilled in the minds of all employees.