Effective communication skills are vital for any company. You must convey your message verbally or in writing effectively to create more effective relationships with your clients and employees and resolve conflicts more efficiently.
However, while some have a natural talent for communication, the rest of us have to work hard to sharpen our skills. Ami Shafrir is one of those talents.
If you’re in this second category, check out this article to discover seven ways to enhance your communication abilities as a manager.
- Active Listening
Anyone who is a businessperson with a semblance of communication skills is essential in dealing with employees and customers. However, effective communication goes far more than simply speaking.
It’s also about being attentive.
What is Active Listening?
The skill is to listen attentively to what someone else is saying, in non-verbal and written form, and respond in a clear manner and shows that you have a good understanding. This might seem common sense, but many people fail to execute it correctly.
Let’s look at an instance:
Let’s say that one employee tries to convince you to give an increase, but you’re not able to pay for it. They offer a long list of reasons they’re worthy of a pay increase, but you dismiss their proposal after their speech.
This is an instance of passive listening. You’re not paying for the things they want to hear or even want to know. You’re “listening” to things that will prove your point through their language.
Active listening is paying attention to the reason for their behaviour and asking them questions. Also, it would help if you considered their non-verbal signals like body language and tone of voice. After an exchange, it may say,
“I believe this is important as you want to feel appreciated and grow professionally. We don’t have the money to support an increase right now however, would you think about an alternative of X or Y?”
This could be more flexible schedules or taking an educational course for professionals, or anything else it is that you believe your worker would prefer.
Active listening can bring many significant benefits to businesses:
- It helps build trust and rapport between the boss and the employees.
- It allows for more two-way communication, which is crucial for problem-solving and decision-making.
- It is possible to resolve conflicts before it becomes a crisis.
In today’s highly competitive business world, people who can achieve the skill of listening actively will stay ahead of the curve. Here’s how you can improve this ability:
- Maintain eye contact and your body in a relaxed posture to indicate that you’re invested and engaged in the conversation.
- Recite what you’ve learned to confirm that you’ve understood the information correctly.
- Ask questions if you have a question that you’re not clear on.
- Find alternatives and compromises rather than arguments that do not support your position.
- Active Speaking (for All)
Anyone in business meetings knows that not all people like to speak. Some people are known to be able to not speak at any time.
While it’s tempting for people to think that these people are shy or introverts, the reality is that they could have plenty to speak about if given a chance.
One of the most effective methods to enhance your communication skills as a business manager is to let everyone speak. This will not only allow you to understand the perspective of other people better as well, but it can also allow you to improve your listening abilities.
In addition, you might be amazed by the innovative solutions they have come up with.
Just as school teachers can be prone to favour the extroverts or be victims of their tendency to speak in monologues, business owners are susceptible to doing the same.
Here’s how you can avoid it:
- Ask questions: Let it be clear that you appreciate feedback and questions from your staff. Inspire employees to voice their opinions instead of just listening in silence.
- Keep it brief. Please do not make it a chore to hear someone go on and on and on. Make it clear, and then open the discussion area.
- Engage your employees. Be eye-catching: Use eye contact, use facial expressions, and change your voice to ensure that employees are involved during the meeting.
- Names: If certain people refuse to speak, call them by name. This will motivate them to take part next time.
- Body Language
Body language is an effective instrument that can be used to enhance collaboration and communication at work.
As important as the words you use is the way you express them.
Your body language conveys confidence, curiosity, openness, anxiety, boredom and hostility. Positively utilizing your body language will help you communicate effectively with your employees and establish confidence.
There are some simple guidelines to use to ensure your body language conveys the right message
- Eye contact is a sign of interest and involvement in the conversation.
- Smile Genuine smiles convey warmth and warmth.
- “Lean In” displays that you are interested in someone else’s words.
- Utilize open body language. Don’t cross your legs or arms to make you appear closed off.
Wrap Up
Communication skills are essential for both our personal and professional lives, especially in the field of business.
Enhancing your communication skills can help to build stronger connections, improve your professional career and positively affect your friends and colleagues.
This article outlined seven ways to enhance your communication concerning the subject you’re working on.
Regardless of the areas that are causing you pain, Remember that practising is the key to perfection. The more you practice communicating more effectively, the better proficient you are at it. Don’t be scared to be yourself, and begin to practice today.
