Communication is something that everyone does instinctively – just like breathing. We talk to our friends, spouses, and kids without giving any thought to how words are coming out of our mouth without even processing it. It sounds so simple – you just need to say what you think. Right? Not so much, especially when it comes to workplace communication. 
What’s so different about workplace communication?
When communicating at work, it is important to know that your message is not simply received but is also understood. Choosing the right words and tone are some of the deciding factors of how your message is sent across. Your message should convey its intent and purpose to the recipient. More often than not, we try so hard that our message is conveyed, but we forget the most crucial aspect that adds sense to the whole communication – listening. Listening with our minds instead of absorbing those words through our ears might add a lot more sense to the intent of the message and can close the doors for misunderstandings, which may further lead to conflicts and workplace issues. Here are some tips for better communication at work:
Opt for direct communication
Digital communication has taken over the traditional face-to-face communication. It may seem easier to send the message through a text message or a phone call, but it may not be as effective as approaching certain people in person. Somehow we lose our intuition to understand the intent of the message when we are not able to observe other person’s facial expressions or body language. The best and most effective way for communicating at work is to stand up from your desk and talk to your co-workers in person. At times, you would be tempted to use emails or messages to convey your message, especially if the person is in other department. But, make this a habit, it will really help you be more effective at workplace communication.
Focus on the body language
Whenever you communicate, it’s not only the words that are coming out of your mouth that speak, your body language speaks much louder. You have to note that people from different countries and cultures use different nonverbal communication gestures to express themselves. So while using nonverbal communication, you have to consider the culture, age, gender, and region of the person who is at the receiving end. While using nonverbal communication, you have to keep the following things in mind:
- Your gestures and posture should match with your words.
- Your nonverbal communication should also match with the context of the conversation.
- Use your facial expressions and body language to convey positive feelings.
Stay calm and composed while communicating
In certain situations like job interview or project presentation with a client, you may get nervous and may lose control of what you speak and how you maintain your body language. So, here are some things that you should implement in such situations:
- Know when you are becoming tensed.
- Instead of panicking in such situation, take a moment to calm down.
- Take a few deep breaths and quickly manage stress by relaxing your body.
- Know that it’s okay to disagree.
- Look for humor in the situation. It is a great way to relieve stress but only if used appropriately.