A study states that miscommunication costs businesses with at least 100 employees, approximately $420,000 or more a year on average. The same goes with clients, stakeholders who are connected to a business. Communication is life and real skill, integral to relationships, opportunities, and operational efficiency.
Communication stays as a priority skill for business of all kinds and forms, irrespective of the industry.
Building a unified communication approach is a process and essential for an organization to operate seamlessly.
In this blog, let us deep dive into understanding the importance and need of efficient communication for a business.
Why is communication important?
Communication in the workplace is the exchange of ideas and thoughts concerning work, but effective workplace communication is more than that. Effective communication is clear, and the receiver understands its purpose.
Effective communication in the workplace is not just relaying information to a team member, but explaining it in a way they understand and yield results. The exchange of ideas and information is done efficiently and effectively, enhancing collaboration on given tasks. So, teams can better come up with the required steps to achieve their goals.
Communication as a real skill
Communication is vital at every stage of professional life, whether you are an early career professional, an entrepreneur, an intern, a CXO or head cross-functional teams.
In a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, communication barriers add to delay in projects (44%), low morale (31%) and loss in sales (18%).
How to communicate efficiently at your workplace?
Practice active listening
To engage, develop relationships and rapport within the team and with clients, active listening is the first step. It starts with both verbal and non-verbal cues, like reiterating what the other person said, or head nods. It makes you active in conversation and can be an effective ice-breaker.
Know your audience
Whether in a client call or with a new team member, knowing the other person is important. Some prior research and time on understanding their previous works, background of the project you have to collaborate on- saves time, increases efficiency and portrays respect for other’s time and work as well.
Simple Language
“If you care about being thought credible and intelligent, do not use complex language where simpler language will do,” writes Nobel prize–winning economist Daniel Kahneman.
Simplifying complex ideas displays your skill and knowledge of your product, technology or service better, and helps you in aligning with the other person quicker.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Open-ended questions are effective for management of teams and setting team goals better. Jennifer Currence, president of consulting firm The Currence Group, said to the Society of Human Resource Management to use the acronym TED, which stands for:
“Tell me more.”
“Explain what you mean.”
“Define that term or concept for me.”
By leveraging those phrases when speaking with your team, you can elicit more thoughtful, thorough responses and ensure you also have clarity around what they need from you to succeed.
Appreciation
Finally, appreciating the work of your colleagues goes a long way, especially if you are in a position of leadership. Organizations with engaged and happy workers make 23% more profits than those with miserable employees. To move closer to achieving your goals as an organisation, you need to appreciate employees and show you care.
To improve your communication skills, begin by assessing your effectiveness so you can identify areas for improvement. Then, set goals and hold yourself accountable by tracking your progress.
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