Far too often, miscommunication causes delays at work, if not an all-out breakdown. It’s true. More and more ways of communicating are available right now. Still, we could be limiting our efficiency in relaying the message.
Zoom for instance, has become the go-to conferencing app for just about everyone during the pandemic, rising from just over 10 million average daily users (ADUs) in December 2019 to over 200 million ADUs by March of 2020. And counting. It’s amazing how a communication service that was already existing via Skype and Google Meet can now be marketed and repackaged to become a whole new entity altogether. Best of all, reap handsome profits.
And yet, if you don’t know how to communicate effectively to the person you’re talking to, the technology may not matter much. Take note, each person has his own distinct personality. Without taking this into consideration, it’s possible your words could be falling on deaf ears. Check out how experts weigh in to help better your communication skills as a leader and a boss.
First, Identify Your Style
Indeed, effective communication is one of the key tools of business. Chances are, any leader who fails to communicate right, his organization fails. Imagine a WWII general who orders an attack only to find his troops retreating.
With effective communication, you can handle clients and even your workers better. But before you can do this effectively, you have to recognize your own style.
To do that, a little introspection should be in order. Ask yourself: Are you relational or direct? Are you people-focused or result-focused? Are you all about the rules or making people understand your goals? Take a deep look within yourself and try to find out what you really are in terms of communication.
Self-evaluation is paramount in finding out your style. Here’s a quiz to help you get started.
But then again you can also ask for people’s views. Ask your family and friends about how they view your communication style. Get honest feedback even if it’s brutal. Know that this first step is crucial.
With honest feedback, you know what to improve on as a boss. And you also get to garner feedbacks and harness your skills even better.
Second, Understand Your Listener’s Style
Next on your list should be understanding the style of other people around you. Most especially your workers and your clients. It’s not enough to recognize your style, get to understand that of your listener.
Remember that communication is two-way. With your workers, be very observant. Look out for how they react to things, their mannerisms, and relationship with others. Simple things like how fast or how slow they talk may be trivial. But it sure matters a great deal.
Why Personality types hear differently. Get started by knowing DISC profiling. When you know what kind of listener you’re talking to, communicating is a lot easier.
Never Assume
It’s subtle but it’s useful. Far too often, we think we know what the other person wants or needs. We assume. Don’t. Instead, take time to study people. That may sound cold but it’s true. You need to understand people better to be able to motivate them.
On a side note, making sure you have the technology to support seamless peer-to-peer communication in the office is paramount. To this end, private branch exchange or PBX has become a key tool in ensuring communication runs smoothly from office to office and from client to office. Without a centralized PBX system distributing calls (e.g., Avaya, Cisco) it’s easy for your work in the office to be jeopardized.
To boot, this is the reason relying on a certified Fanvil authorized reseller is a must. When you do, you open yourself up to a whole new world of quality specialized phones and intercoms especially designed for PBX and office interconnectivity.
Transparency is the Name of the Game
Transparency does not mean vulnerability as a boss. It can be the very tool to help you attain clarity. In a sense, only the brave can be capable of forging on to get the task done right. Think. If you choose to be silent when things are unclear, you’re not actually solving the problem at hand. You’re making it worse.
Be as transparent as you can be with your workers. Ask questions when you feel you’ve didn’t get things right. When you’re transparent and honest, you’re bound to get a positive response from your listener.
Transparency indicates respect to them and also humility from your end. And this goes a long way in improving productivity.
