These days, most business leaders aren’t able to manage their businesses – some issues will the partners, the employees, or clients. What is the main reason? – Lack of effective communication between any two parties.
Communication skills aren’t exactly taught in school or by parents. You are expected to somehow learn them while growing up. So it is when you enter the corporate world that you are expected to gap these differences. Here is a guide you may want to follow even if you feel there are perpetuated problems in your company:
- Instead of saying, “I need someone to complete this project or make this report”, be specific and say, “I need Josh to complete this report.” This is some sort of reverse psychology called bystander effect. When you ask too many to do a certain task, most probably, the odds are that no one will actually do it. When you aren’t clear about who has to do the job, each one of them will think there would someone who will do it, and everyone is thinking the same, no one ends up with the task.
- When you talk to the other person, you need to be polite and empathetic. Your tone should be compassionate and the other person should feel that you are important to them. And make sure you follow through your words and appreciate their actions as well.
- Make sure your language is clear and simple. If your office is in a country where English-speaking people are relatively low, you need to communicate with them in their native languages.
- Don’t be sarcastic. Sarcasm can be easily misunderstood and can cause a lot of unnecessary problems.
- Your text messages and emails are as important as all the other face-to-face conversations. You messages shouldn’t be too long and don’t beat around the bush, stay to the point and if there something very important to discuss, it is always better to hold a meeting the next day.
- As much as your words are important, make sure your body language in on point as well. You need to pay attention to the other party when you are talking, keep your eye contact intact, be relaxed and keep your back straight. Make sure you aren’t shouting, you need to keep your voice soft and welcoming.
- It is better to keep quite than engaging in conversations where your views may create a negative impression on the other person. Listening skills are also part of effective communication skills.