How to Improve Communication Skills?

Better communication skills not only make a useful and more of an efficient employee but also present job satisfaction with an opportunity for them to be successful in their careers and landing more promotions. Among the interpersonal qualities highly valued, conversing skills were ranked among the first and business executives were more inclined to hire employees who had showcased this particular soft skill (Robles, 2012).

Excellent communication skills at the workplace are not only a shared notion of shared governance but also a great managerial practice by itself (Timmins, 2011). The ability to convey ideas in a way that enhances action, teamwork and effective decision making is a paramount pillar to the organization. A better conversational structure will strengthen cooperation, minimize errors at work, and facilitate better conflict management processes. Lack of it leads to frustration kicking in because of misunderstanding or ideas fall out due to poor follow through. Eventually, work morale wears down as the team ends up feeling unacknowledged. To improve communication in a company training programs, implementation of a 360-degree evaluation plan, provision of communication opportunities coupled with the creation of an affirmative workplace cultural plan is vital.

Training Programs

Training should concentrate on the principles of conveying information that will enhance business interaction and how to structure messages that inspire employees to take action. Additionally, it should also address how to develop confidence in personal presentation abilities, and the cultivation of individual leadership styles (Barth & Lannen, 2010). Through the use of small group activities and practical exercises, techniques taught in the program should enable employees to be in a position to communicate with conviction and clarity.

360-Degree Evaluation Plan

Through the use of this strategy, every person in the team is either evaluated by one or more superiors or even their colleagues to help them identify areas where their communication skills should be improved (Keyton et al., 2013). The 360-Degrees Evaluation Approach aids to increase self-awareness, give a balanced view and identifying individuals strengths. The most significant aspect of this evaluation plan is that it gives the employees a starting point for the growth of new behaviors and skills, including building on the existing areas of strengths and abilities. The idea also provides team members with ownership over their development by way of customized improvement goals. Through this, the individuals are accountable and have control over their career growth while taking a significant role in their development.

Creating An Affirmative Workplace Culture Plan

Positive work environments yield benefits specifically to relationships, health, and engagement. The aspects of having individuals recognize the value of listening other people’s opinions is vital in enhancing this cultural plan. Opening up and getting to hear other people’s ideas and solutions without being judgmental is one way of improving communicational structures within an organization (Keyton et al., 2013).

Provision for Opportunities to Communicate

Establish an open door policy where employees are always welcomed to approach management without any fear of retribution. Making them feel comfortable with their management provides a better was of communication between the top-level authorities to the lowest. Regular meetings for employees to discuss projects, go over issues will craft a path for them to open up easily and have a better platform for sharing ideas with each other.

Through these strategies’, employees not only train on new communication and presentation techniques but they also have an opportunity to self-evaluate themselves. Creation of ample workplace environment will lead to better dialogues consequently improving the organization’s conversational structure

References

Barth, J., & Lannen, P. (2010). Efficacy of communication skills training courses in oncology: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Oncology, 22(5), 1030-1040. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdq441

Keyton, J., Caputo, J., Ford, E., Fu, R., Leibowitz, S., & Liu, T. et al. (2013). Investigating Verbal Workplace Communication Behaviors. International Journal of Business Communication, 50(2), 152-169. doi: 10.1177/0021943612474990

Robles, M. (2012). Executive Perceptions of the Top 10 Soft Skills Needed in Today’s Workplace. Business Communication Quarterly, 75(4), 453-465. doi: 10.1177/1080569912460400

Timmins, F. (2011). Managers’ duty to maintain good workplace communications skills. Nursing Management, 18(3), 30-34. doi: 10.7748/nm2011.06.18.3.30.c8538