Having good communication skills is essential in any type of work. It doesn’t matter whether you are a new hire, a CEO, or a business owner.
When everyone in the organization can communicate openly and clearly, this can help boost morale and improve productivity in the workplace.
Here are some simple hacks to help you improve the way you communicate with your coworkers and customers.
Be Mindful of Body Language
Communication is not limited to talking. It also includes your body language: your gestures, the way you stand, your facial expressions, your handshake, and so on.
Sometimes we can’t avoid getting stressed or angry at work. Be aware that these emotions can show up through your body language even if you don’t say it. The same happens when you are happy. Your body will also show it.
To give you some examples: Crossing your arms while talking to someone usually means that you are not interested. When you feel tense, your shoulders will look stiff. Roll them back to relax and remove the tension.
Be a Good Listener
Be attentive when your coworker, boss, or client approaches you. Try to withhold judgment. Let the other person talk, and avoid interrupting them.
Make sure you are facing the person speaking. Maintain eye contact. One trick is that you can also look at the spot between the other person’s eyes while they speak.
Keep Calm
Sometimes, the atmosphere in the office can be volatile. One moment it feels calm, and next, it can be chaos. Whatever happens, before you communicate, make sure that you are calm.
One simple hack in doing so is switching your focus to your breath. Take deep breaths. Give yourself a few seconds to slow down and take a breath.
When you are calm, your mind becomes clear, and it will be easier for you to articulate your thoughts.
Validate
Validation is a great way to communicate effectively. It makes the person you are talking to feel heard and understood. This is very simple to do.
Let’s say that an upset customer is talking to you about an order that has gone wrong. After listening attentively, reframe what you have just heard to seek confirmation from the speaker.
As an example: “I understand that your order was delivered yesterday, but upon opening the box, you noticed that one of the items was damaged. Is that correct?”
The customer will then confirm by agreeing and maybe providing more information. Validation is a great way to show empathy and avoid misunderstandings.
Participate in Group Discussions
Before stepping into a meeting, prepare yourself with the right mindset. Be an active participant. Your input and ideas could be very useful to the company. (See Related: 7 Productivity Hacks Every Business Needs)
Share your insights. Ask questions if you have any. These could bring great value to everyone who’s attending.
Keep It Professional
Some of us are guilty of oversharing to the point that we end up talking about our private life in the office. Don’t talk about yourself too openly. You never know who might be listening when you accidentally say that you’re looking for a new job.
The importance of keeping it professional is that it also sets healthy boundaries between coworkers. It maintains respect among people.
Good communication skills are very important in any kind of professional setting. Following these simple hacks can positively impact the way you communicate with other people.
