As
much time as we spend communicating—whether by email, phone or face-to-face—we
spend far too little time thinking about how well we communicate.
Ineffective
communications hold us all back: there are misunderstandings, failed
connections and missed opportunities. Instead, effective communication should
be considered a company’s core competency.
How
can you go about modeling and fostering good communication techniques within
your organization? Communication skills training experts give the following advice on how and why to invest in improving communication company-wide.
How?
- Brush up on the basics. Too many people consider that effective communication skills are inborn or learned spontaneously. Not so. They can be assessed, developed, coached and measured.
- Talk to each other. Maximize opportunities to talk face-to-face to pick up all the non-verbal cues so critical to understanding what another is trying to say. Using email and voice mail to cover your tracks, avoid difficult conversations or pass the buck just fuels the fires of discontent.
- Learn how to listen actively. Put your own concerns aside and be curious. Focus on truly understanding what the other person is saying and where they are coming form. Check to see that you have understood correctly with clarifying questions and paraphrasing.
- Influence others when it matters most. Know how to present ideas clearly, completely and persuasively.
- Help others to succeed. Be able to give consistent, timely, accurate, relevant and helpful feedback in a way that motivates performance improvement.
