In both everyday life and the professional atmosphere, communication is vital to one’s survival. From the time we are born, communication is what gets us fed, lets others know when we are hurt and signals when we want company. As we grow, we learn more professional aspects of communication, many of which help us succeed in the workplace. Even though one might think communication comes naturally to all, there are various individuals who struggle in this area.
Given the impact of communication on our job roles and workplace relationships, it is vital that individuals learn how to improve their communication skills early on. If you find yourself in this category, the following tips can help you excel in the workplace.
Record Yourself
Recording yourself communicating might not sound like an ideal way to spend a Wednesday evening, but it can significantly improve your verbal skills. Today’s young adults have a very different communication style as opposed to adults transitioning out of their careers. Even the ways in which emails are conducted can differ greatly, with young adults using an overload of exclamation points to appear friendly and older generations replying with “K” to keep their responses simple. This translates to verbal communication as well, as some may feel compelled to ramble on while others are more direct. If you have a critical chat coming up or simply want to practice your delegation, consider recording yourself communicating so you can begin to recognize your own communication style and ways it could be improved.
Pay Attention to Your Body Language
Communication is more than just talking. Our facial expressions and body language are all intertwined with communication. Your lips may be saying one thing while your body language is giving off an entirely different signal. Pay attention to the signs you are giving off as you communicate. Are you attempting to have a formal conversation but slouching and looking everywhere except at the individual you are speaking to? This could indicate that you don’t feel confident in what you are saying or that you don’t take yourself seriously. Matching your body language with your words can have an immense impact on your professionalism and overall conversation.
These small tips can make a world of difference to your overall communication skills. As you go through your career, be open to receiving feedback from others as well as observing how others communicate. Find a leader you respect and see how their communication style differs from yours, then see what mannerisms you can adapt to your own style. Observation can help you grow a more confident approach and become a more clear communicator.