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How to Communicate Effectively
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| Do's and Don'ts of Workplace Communication | |
| Do | |
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Practice active listening. Become culturally literate. Use face-to-face communication. Understand power distance. Check your ego and egocentrism at the door. |
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Don'ts |
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Be condescending. Have an ethnocentric attitude. Allow distractions or pre-occupations. Send the wrong non-verbal cues. |
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Things To Do
The following will be useful in ensuring effective communication:
| Step | Action |
| 1 |
Look at the other person when speaking to him. |
| 2 |
Listen to the person who is speaking. |
| 3 |
Give them a chance to speak without interrupting, even if you do not agree with their point of view. |
| 4 |
Specify the behaviour you do not like. |
| 5 |
Keep to one topic at a time. Caution: Be careful not to be distracted from that topic. |
| 6 |
Keep your messages short and to the point. |
| 7 |
Tell the other person exactly what you think or feel. |
| 8 |
Accept that the other person can have another point of view and has the right to differ from you. |
| 9 |
Acknowledge your right to refuse requests, even reasonable ones. |
Things to Avoid
When you communicate, do not:
- Rip open old wounds - Try to resolve the current conflict.
- Withdraw yourself before the conflict has been resolved - e.g. turning your back and walking away or ignoring the other person.
- Try to hurt the other person or insult them by being sarcastic or making them feel guilty - conflict can be resolved without insulting the other person.
- Make assumptions about the person’s feelings and thoughts.
- Try to always convert others to your point of view - remember that it's OK to be different.
- Try to WIN the argument - resolve conflict through cooperation.
- Shout, complain, moan and sound irritable or sarcastic - your tone of voice can disrupt communication.
Communication skills, just like assertiveness skills, are not innate but acquired. Therefore, anyone can learn to communicate effectively if these guidelines are complied with.