6 Ways to Improve Communication in the Workplace

1. Use body language when communicating on the phone or in person.

Body language is an important, nonverbal way to communicate with others. When communicating on the phone or in person, body language can help you get your point across more effectively.

Using appropriate body language can help you be more persuasive and get your point across to the other person. It can also make you feel more confident during a conversation and make it easier for the listener to respond positively to what you’re saying.

We should develop good habits, such as looking at people when they speak, shaking their hands when we meet them for the first time (or pretending to do that while observing social distancing), and keeping our arms uncrossed when talking or listening. These habits are not only polite but also subconsciously show that we are open-minded and confident about what we are saying.

2. Have a conversation, not an interrogation

The goal of the conversation is not to get all the information you need about a person, but to form a connection with them.

It is important to understand that people are not machines, and they should be treated as people. Sometimes when you are talking to them, they might be nervous or shy. People like these conversations because they feel more personal and real than an interrogation does.

When having a conversation with someone new, it’s important that you start by asking open-ended questions. These types of questions allow them to talk more freely about their interests and what they think about certain topics that interest them most.

3. Embrace humour to break the ice and improve workplace relationships.

Humour is not a major part of the workplace culture. However, it can be an effective way to bond with colleagues and break the ice in a conversation.

The idea behind humour is to use it sparingly to avoid coming across as annoying or disrespectful. Humour has been shown to improve workplace relationships, help people cope with stress, and make them more creative.

4. Get over your fear of being wrong.

There is no perfect answer in life. Trying to find the right answer all the time is just exhausting.

What is important is that you have opinions and that you stick with them. If you are not sure of something, then it’s okay to say “I don’t know.” There is nothing wrong with being wrong every now and then. It’s okay to be wrong because it’s not all about being right, but instead about learning from your mistakes and improving future decisions.

5. Eliminate distractions so you can focus on what’s important.

We all know that when at work (or working from home), it can become difficult to avoid becoming engaged in personal tasks during the working day.

We react to the many distractions around us – like the continuous pinging of incoming email, or pop up notifications on our smartphones.

This demonstrates how easily distracted we are. One of the best ways to eliminate distractions is to cut yourself off from social media. Social media apps are notorious for making us feel compelled to constantly check them. Even if you don’t have them open, they can drain your energy and make you feel like you need to be doing something else at all times.

One easy way to reduce distractions is by simply eliminating your social media apps from your phone or computer altogether.

6. Practice active listening for better understanding of others’ thoughts.

Active listening is crucial for gaining a full understanding of what other people are thinking. When someone is talking to you, it is important to focus on the conversation, and not be distracted by your outside thoughts. This can be especially difficult if you are naturally introverted. However, even if this is the case, through practice and effort, it becomes easier to actively listen to what others are saying.

The key takeaways

• Communicate – use body language
• Conversation, not interrogation
• Embrace humour as ice breaker
• Get over fear of being wrong
• Eliminate distractions
• Practice active listening