6 Ways to Improve Communication Skills for Workplace Success

How often do we blame poor communication skills for lost workflow efficiency, missed deadlines and projects that aren't good from scratch?

Working from home has perhaps revealed just the extent to which sub-par communication skills can hold tasks back and, at the end of the day, make people feel frustrated.

You may be disappointed by what he said about the day-to-day communication within your team, whether or not you continue to work from home.

Everyone, at different stages of their professional and personal lives, can make changes in their basic communication skills.

1. Ask yourself if you are really listening or are you waiting for your turn to speak

One thing that is always more important than speaking is listening. One of the most important communication skills available is learning how to listen when others are speaking. Whether you're in a team meeting or face-to-face, try to really focus on what the people or person is telling you and what it means in the broader scheme of things.

If you have a habit of interrupting someone while you are talking, make a mental note to stop them, meaningful conversations should have more than one person speaking.

If you're used to waiting your turn to speak without listening to what the person is saying, it's time to start listening carefully. Instead of rearranging what you're going to say in your mind, listen to the following. If you start this good habit, you will learn more from your co-worker and/or co-worker, allowing you to provide relevant insights to the person speaking.

2. Don't hesitate to ask questions

Whether you've heard the answer to your question five or fifty times, it's always better to ask again than to guess. Even if you feel a little awkward asking for clarification, it won't always be a reflection of your communication skills if you don't know the answer to a question.

Always ask and re-ask if you're not sure, it's best to know as much about it as possible before starting a project, and it saves everyone's time and energy.

3. Always take business notes and circulate them after meetings

In order to keep the lines of communication clear (and precise), it is important to follow up meetings with action notes so that everyone on the team knows what their next steps are, what is expected of them in the meantime and how they will get their work done. To do so requires a time limit. .

To make sure everyone is on the same page, always take action notes and share them after the meeting, and welcome feedback, edits, and clarifications.

4. Practice presenting your ideas in a linear way

If you find that you are the type who is often in the shadows, don't worry about yourself! There are ways you can improve your presentation skills.

If you are going to share your thoughts or vision, write down your personal agenda as well as the format in which you want to present your presentation. Practicing in the mirror can also be helpful. When it comes to keeping people focused, it is essential to highlight the facts in an easily digestible way. When offering new ideas or insights, remind yourself that the people you're talking to may not have heard of this information before, so present it with them in mind.

5. Good and bad communication

If poor communication is slowing you or the entire team, it's time to call it quits. If everyone accepts the status quo, nothing changes. If communication between your team is poor, try to address it. Ask where the gaps are and see what can be done to improve the current setup.

If your team members would benefit from a communication skills course, check if funding is available to facilitate this.

6. Ask colleagues and peers for feedback

As you and your team move toward optimal communication, ask colleagues and peers for feedback. Ask them if they understood the summary after discussing it with them. Ask them if you can do anything to clear it up.

Provide feedback where appropriate, and let your team members know what works best for you and what optimal communication for you.