One Thing You Can Do Now to Boost Your Workplace Communication

Communicating with colleagues can be hard. Team members often zero in on the specific elements they are responsible for and fail to connect the ways their work fits into the company’s overall mission. This is magnified with remote work and video calls where we are already predisposed to silo into our own tasks. This can lead to project delays, mistakes and lost opportunities and resources. So how can you help your team overcome these challenges and communicate more effectively? 

Instead of focusing on what people are saying, turn the tables and pay attention to how they are listening. Strong listening skills are much more than being silent when someone else is talking. Active listening is key to all great communication. 

Active listening is when you focus all of your attention and concentration on the speaker. Through facial expressions, body language and verbal cues, you show the speaker you are listening, and often gain new insights that you’d have missed if you were doing all the talking.

Some examples of active listening are:

• Nodding your head when you are in agreement

• Using phrases like, “So what I hear you saying is…” or “Would it be accurate to say that you…” when you are trying to understand something

• Letting others know you are listening through verbal sounds (like Mmm-hmm)

• Avoiding interruptions

• Minimizing distractions and keeping your eyes on the speaker (or the camera when virtual)

Active listening can be honed through practice. The next time you’re in a meeting choose one of the examples above to try out a few times in the meeting. The way you listen will help you feel more engaged in the work of your colleagues, deepen your connection with them and create space for your organization to be more effective. 

If you’d like help developing stronger communication skills at work, schedule a discovery call where we can explore how to meet your goals, as well as those of your organization.