How well do you communicate with others in the workplace? Developing your interpersonal communication in the workplace can be vital for your career success. There is a continuous flow of communication in any business setting, both non-verbally and verbally, in person and online. When employees can not effectively manage this flow of communication, it will be detrimental to the productivity of business processes.
Interpersonal Communication and Remote Work
In the modern era, the evolution of communication methods has significantly impacted workplace dynamics. Digital platforms now play an important role in facilitating employee interactions and achieving business objectives. It’s essential for companies to prioritize effective communication in the workplace, especially in remote work scenarios, to ensure uninterrupted workflow and foster resilience in the face of change.
The Components of Interpersonal Communication
To fully develop good communication skills within an organization, you must understand the different components of communication.
- Communicators: Both the sender and the receiver of a message are seen as communicators, and each interaction must have at least two communicators.
- Message: The message can be conveyed verbally or nonverbally, depending on the situation. You can convey a message through speech, body language, tone of voice, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions, etc. Verbal messages can go hand-in-hand with non-verbal communication that adds more context, and shows deception, interest, and confidence (or lack thereof).
- Noise: This refers to barriers that can impede or distort the message that the sender is trying to convey. This includes things like Jargon, language barriers, interruptions, literal noise, inattention, etc.
- Feedback: This is the response that the receiver gives to the original message. This creates a two-way flow of communication, allowing the sender to know that the receiver understands the message.
- Context: There are many different contexts in which communication can occur, such as the environmental, political, cultural, social, and emotional contexts. The context of the conversation dramatically impacts the expected tone and direction of the communication.
- Channel: How is this message being communicated? The medium that is used for communication is just as important as the context. This can be in person, in writing, online, etc.
How to Improve Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace
Employees are becoming more aware of the importance of having good interpersonal skills as the business climate continues to change amid the pandemic. Although communication skills can be challenging to measure, you can develop them through practice and active listening.
Here are some tips on improving communication in the workplace:
- Do your research: To optimize interpersonal communication and foster meaningful conversations, it’s essential to gather pertinent facts beforehand and clarify your communication objectives. Prior to meetings or drafting emails, take time to outline what you wish to convey and ensure clarity in your interactions. This preparation enhances the effectiveness of your communication efforts and facilitates productive exchanges.
- Consider who you will be talking to: To excel in interpersonal communication, gather insights and prepare thoroughly for upcoming conversations. Prioritize clarity by defining your message before meetings or crafting emails. Take into account the personalities and perspectives of others involved, adjusting your approach accordingly. Choose the appropriate timing and method of communication to ensure effectiveness; some discussions may benefit from face-to-face interactions, while others can be effectively conducted via email. Tailoring your communication style to each situation enhances engagement and understanding.
- Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses: Self-evaluation can be very useful when developing soft skills such as social skills and people skills. You can also ask for constructive feedback from coworkers and managers as a learning opportunity for future interactions.
- Stay focused and steer clear of interruptions: To maintain focus and minimize interruptions, it’s important to first identify your goals and priorities. Creating a dedicated and distraction-free work environment can help you concentrate better. Set boundaries and communicate expectations to others to ensure uninterrupted workflow. When interruptions do occur, handle them efficiently and get back on track promptly.
Streamline your work and solve problems to facilitate conflict resolution by conveying important information to team members and managers through developing strong interpersonal communication skills in the workplace with our Breakthrough Point Assessment Workshop.