Whether you are just starting out in a new workplace or you are a high-level executive with years under your belt, one of the most important skills you can bring to the table in any profession is good communication. If you take the time to look at the best teams in the world, you’ll find quickly that solid communication is one thing that they have in common. Working on your own communication skills can be a huge factor in both your own success and the success of the company you work for.
1. Practice Your Listening Skills
Listening is a very important part of communication and this means far more than just hearing the words coming out of the mouth of the speaker. Learning to interpret tone, body language, and subtle conversational cues reveal far more than the words being said. Also, those who are engaged and active listeners make those around them more comfortable by helping them to feel valued and heard even in the most difficult of conversations. If it’s your first day on the job, fresh from Boston staffing firms, establish yourself as a good listener and you will go far.
2. Use Face-to-Face Conversation When Possible
Though in a constantly changing climate, you may not always work in the same space as your team members, it is still very important to maintain face-to-face communication. Video chats may not seem quite as personal as a meeting in the board room, but the benefits still apply because of your ability to see reactions and expressions. It may be trendy to joke about the “meeting that could have been an email,” but that personal, visual connection can make a difference for the overall communication health of your team.
3. Follow Up in Writing
Everyone has a lot of things going through their mind in a day, so after an important conversation, it helps to follow up in writing with any requests or instructions. This can help to prevent miscommunication about a task or procedure and give you a chance to add details you may have forgotten in the initial discussion. These written reminders really do make a difference in getting the details right the first time.
Being an active listener and good communicator will make you a great asset no matter what industry you work in. Practice your communication skills daily and you will find yourself happier in your job and more valuable to your company.
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