Benefits of Effective Communication in Personal and Professional Settings
Nowadays, good communication plays an essential role in your success in both the workplace and personal life. Individuals who know how to communicate effectively with those around them will see better productivity and improved relationships in every aspect of their lives.
Effective communication involves knowing how to listen attentively. It’s the ability to offer empathy, open-mindedness, and helpful feedback based on what you hear. Also, a friendly demeanour, confidence, and quality nonverbal communication will help you to develop good relationships with other ones.
Let’s explore some benefits of effective communication you will see when you take the time to nurture these skills.
Technology has brought about unprecedented changes in this world. Gone are the days when people used to travel on horses and camels from one place to another. The invention of the automobile has changed the notions of transportation. Similarly, the concept of communication has evolved radically since Graham Bell invented the first telephone. Technology and communication are two sides of the same coin.
Technology has enabled us to easily communicate with anyone from anywhere at any time.
But it’s this convenience that often leads people to make embarrassing mistakes that may be detrimental to their professional reputation. After all, how you communicate with others greatly affects the way they perceive you.
Do you know the rules when it comes to communicating via Phone, Email, WhatsApp, SMS, LinkedIn or Zoom?
- Building trust
Effective communication fosters trust with others. Your ability to listen attentively and embrace different points of view helps others trust that you are making optimal decisions for everyone in the group.
- Preventing or resolving problems
The ability to communicate effectively plays a large role in resolving conflicts and preventing potential ones from arising. The key is to remain calm, make sure all parties are heard and find a solution that is ideal for everyone involved.
- Providing clarity and direction
With effective communication skills, you’re able to deliver clear expectations and objectives. This involves finding constructive ways to point out when something isn’t working as well as providing helpful feedback to get people back on track.
- Creates better relationships
Good communication also improves relationships, both with employees and in your personal life with friends and family members. Listening carefully and offering quality feedback helps people to feel heard and understood.
- Increases engagement
With people feeling more confident in their work and in their understanding of what they need to do, they become more engaged with their work as a whole.
15 Communication Etiquette Rules You Need To Know
There are a variety of ways to communicate and it can be hard to know which to use it. It doesn’t have to be complicated, though—in fact, you can take into account these fifteen rules:
- Be aware of your speaking volume
Some people just don’t know how loud they are, especially when their attention is focused on the person on the other line.
- Don’t answer your phone when meeting with others
If you answer a call, you are basically telling the person you are meeting with that someone else’s more deserving of your time than they are.
- Don’t place your phone on the table when meeting with others
Otherwise, it looks like you’re ready to drop them and connect with someone else.
- Let the other person know when you have them on speakerphone
If you must put someone on speakerphone, make sure you immediately let them know who else is in the room with you.
- Use a professional email address
Never use email addresses that are not appropriate and looks no professional for use in the workplace.
- Use exclamation points sparingly
If you choose to use an exclamation point, use only one to convey excitement.
- Think twice before hitting “reply all”
No one wants to read 20 emails that have nothing to do with them.
8. Be cautious with humour
What may be funny when said out loud can come across differently when written. When in doubt, leave it out.
9. You should know the person
If you only know the person through social media but have never actually met them, you should make bonds.
10. Keep the conversation short
If the message will require the receiver to take time to think about their response, you might want to send an email or call them instead.
11. Never send bad news via SMS
Text messages are too casual a medium to have an important conversation, particularly one that’s negative.
12. Be careful with abbreviations
Shortcuts are common today, but make sure it’s appropriate for “u” to be that informal.
13. Don’t change meeting times or venues in a text
Potential attendees may not check their phones on time.
14. Look at the camera
Try to look directly at the camera so it looks like you are making eye contact.
15. Don’t gesture too much
Although such expressiveness may be acceptable in person, it may be too much when you fit it all in one window.