How to be a good communicator at work (key skills and tips)
Communication is one of several core transferable skills — so-called because you can put them to use in any role or industry. Whether you’re interacting with a customer, closing a client sale, or outlining the details of a major project to your team members, you must know how to convey your ideas thoughtfully and effectively. With that in mind, let’s uncover what we mean by effective communication and discuss how to be a good communicator at work.
WHAT IS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION?
Effective communication refers to the successful exchange of ideas with other people. When you effectively communicate what’s on your mind, you leave no gap between what you mean and what your interlocutor has understood. The importance of having and exercising this ability in the workplace cannot be overstated. Indeed, it’s considered to be one of the most in-demand skills among employers because it’s the linchpin of efficiency, collaboration, and leadership.
HOW TO BE A GOOD COMMUNICATOR AT WORK
Know your audience
Broadly speaking, different people have different expectations when they enter a conversation. Imagine, for example, that you’re proposing an idea to a particularly busy executive at your office. Given their time constraints, you may want to tighten whatever you’re trying to communicate into brief, easily digestible snippets to accommodate their schedule. Otherwise, they may decide that your pitch isn’t worth considering.
You can apply the same general concept to everyone you interact with. You might take a more casual tone with your peers, a more authoritative stance with juniors you’re overseeing, or a more deferential attitude with potential clients. To communicate well, consider all the elements of the situation.
Use the right medium
Sometimes, good communication is about knowing the best delivery system. Some employees, for example, may prefer to communicate face-to-face or by telephone, whereas others might be more comfortable with email or Zoom. By choosing the right medium for your audience, you can create an environment that allows them to be more receptive to the ideas you wish to convey.
Plan
Whenever possible, you should plan what you want to communicate. Even if it’s just a lunch conversation with a client, write out the core ideas you want to convey and rehearse your delivery beforehand. This may allow you more control over the conversation and help you feel more comfortable with the topic before the time comes to discuss it.
Simplify and clarify your message
The great author James Baldwin once said, “You want to write a sentence as clean as a bone.” The idea is that you want to strip away anything unnecessary so that you’re left with a concise, understandable message. That’s the key to good communication at work. Always be clear, complete your thoughts, and cut away anything that can lead to confusion. Remember, write everything you plan to say, and edit and revise everything you write. With enough thoughtful application, concision should become almost an instinct to you.
Practice
As the saying goes, when it comes to skills, you can either use it or lose it. So if you don’t want to lose the communication skills you’ve developed, take opportunities to put them to use. Volunteer to write emails, give reports, or lead a meeting.
To optimize your practice opportunities, you might consider communication training through a third-party program. Companies such as Toastmasters International can help you develop communication skills and practice them in various situations.