Last updated : Friday, April 2, 2010

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6 Ways To Be A Better Communicator

When compared to technical skills and experience, communication skills may seem unimportant, as most of us believe we're pretty good at getting our point across. But communication means more than just relaying a message. It has to do with what we're saying (what we're not saying) and how we deliver our message. We spoke with experts about positive communication traits that will strengthen your relationships at work and ultimately help you move up the career ladder faster.

Be Aware of Non-Verbal Communication 
Perhaps the most important, non-verbal communication is often the most overlooked. "Over 90 percent of communication is non-verbal," says Robyn Hatcher, owner of SpeakEtc., a communications skills training company. "Instinctively as humans we don't realize how non-verbal communication comes into play." This includes everything from the way we dress and do our hair, our body language, posture and eye contact, to our overall attitude and demeanor. "When your non-verbal skills are out of sync with your verbal, people will believe your nonverbal cues," Hatcher says. "No matter what you say, people will believe your body language over your words."

Listen
Half of communicating has to do with listening. "If you can't listen, you can't learn," says Roni Abrams, president of Roni Abrams Associates, Ltd, a management consulting firm. "If someone does not listen, it is very difficult for them to understand what needs to be done." If you are perceived as a good listener, people will be more apt to trust you, which will in turn give you more responsibility.

Be Trustworthy
Trust has more to do with behavior than it does with verbal communication. "Don't gossip, do what you say you're going to do, be reliable and know what is and isn't your business,' says Ilise Benun, author of Stop Pushing Me Around: A Workplace Guide for the Shy, Timid and Less Assertive.

Ask for Feedback
Being open to potential criticism shows people that you a) care about the work you're doing and b) you are willing to change the way you do things, which in turn will make you a more desirable person to work with on projects. "Ask for and welcome feedback," Benun says. "Make it clear you're trying to improve your skills. Say something like, 'If there's ever anything about the job I'm doing that could be improved, please tell me.'" Ultimately, people will respect you for being open to criticism, and will be more likely to hear your feedback as a result.

Speak Up (But Not Out of Turn)
Be proactive: "Communication is about self promotion," says Benun. "'Bragging' versus telling stories about problems you've solved where you say 'here was my role and here was the result' are completely different. People need to know what you do. Being awarded and promoted at work is all about clear communication.While you should be open about your accomplishments, there are certain ways of going about it that will be more effective.

So how aggressive should you be when trying to make a point? "There is a difference between being nasty and being calm," Benun says. "Self assertion is disarming and helpful; it's a relief to people when you come out and say what you feel and need." And patience is certainly a virtue in the workplace. "Being impulsive isn't helpful," Benun says. "One should think before one speaks."

Ask yourself:
-Who is listening or who could overhear?
-Who is this conversation appropriate for?
-Is it more appropriate in writing or spoken verbally or both?

Be Email Savvy
Especially when communicating via email, it's important to be as clear as you can with your message. "Be precise and positive, using clear and specific language, especially when writing an email," says Raleigh Mayer, an executive image management advisor and founder of MK Coaching. "If you respond to a message with 'yes' or 'no' or 'Tuesday is fine' without context, you're not being thorough and there's room for misinterpretation."

For more, go to the Career section.

 

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