COMMUNICATION is so important in the workplace, but it’s something that not everyone finds easy. In fact, many people struggle as communicators — whether it be in a team meeting or standing before a larger audience giving a presentation.
Having great communication skills can not only help you get your message across more clearly, it can also get you noticed at work — which can potentially lead to being promoted or offered other great opportunities.
Although becoming a stronger communicator takes time, here are some tips to help get you started.
1. Be knowledgeable. To be able to communicate well, you need to have a bank of knowledge about certain subjects or your area of expertise so that you are confident talking about them. Without that knowledge, your colleagues won’t listen to your message and they are unlikely to respect you because you are not seen as effective and you are also wasting their time. So make sure you are well-read, have done your research and are on top of everything in your role.
2. Be confident. This is an area where a lot of people feel uncomfortable, particularly it they are talking before a group of people they don’t know. But there are a few simple tricks you can use to give yourself a bit more confidence – if you’re well informed it will reduce the likelihood that you will stumble on your words or litter your message with “um” or “ah”; when addressing someone, try to look them in the eye, always speak with a clear voice and don’t mumble or speak so softly that people struggle to hear you.
3. Listen. Great communication is not just about talking non-stop. Another important aspect is listening, so that you allow others to share their opinions. This not only gives you the opportunity to hear the knowledge that others have on a particular topic, but it also helps you to understand what others are thinking, so there is no confusion or misunderstanding. Listening may sound easy, but it can take quite a bit of practise – you need to check yourself at times when you feel like interrupting a speaker with your own insights. Instead, let them finish before you start talking again, or you will come off as disrespectful.
4. Non-verbal communication. As mentioned in the previous point, being a good communicator doesn’t just come down to talking. Aside from being able to listen, strong communicators are also aware that non-verbal communication can also be effective. For example, people don’t have to talk to be sending a strong message – apart from the tone of their voice, this can be seen from their body language, their facial expressions and even if they are shifting around a lot in their chair etc during a meeting.
5. Be concise. When you are trying to get a message across, don’t get lost in long, rambling stories. If you are scheduled to address a team meeting, for example, make sure you are prepared and have it clear in your head exactly what you want to convey. That will help ensure you have clarity and allow you to make your point quickly, without confusing people or wasting time unnecessarily.
* This is a weekly column by SarawakYES! – an initiative driven by Faradale Media-M Sdn Bhd and supported by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak – to provide advice and stories on the topics of education and careers to support Sarawakians seeking to achieve their dreams. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.