Three Ways to Better Your Communication Inside and Outside the Workplace
As we start off the new year with (hopefully) a refreshed mindset, the beginning of the year is a great time to reflect on what you want to happen and how you want to grow in 2023. More often than not, when I work with clients, whether they lead an organization or are working on personal development, being able to communicate for effectively always rises to the top.
Why wouldn't it? We communicate all day long. With our families, partners, kids, bosses, employees, the Starbucks cashier, your dog, even with ourselves. We're constantly communicating...yet feel like we're struggling with it. So what's the deal?
According to Psychology Today, there's a few scientific researchers who have validated that communication is broken down into 55% body language, 38% tone of voice, and 7% is the actual words spoken. Now although these percentages will vary person to person and even situation to situation, just based on this, there's obviously A LOT more to take into account when we communicate with...well, everyone and everything.
And because work constitutes a large part of our lives, look at these staggering stats from Pumble, a Team Chat App, where 86% of employees and executives cited "lack of communication and collaboration" as the main cause for workplace failures. And in a specific study of cases, this poor communication resulted in:
44% of the cases failed to complete workplace projects
31% cited low employee morale
25% missed performance goals altogether
18% resulted in missed sales
Wow! So still wondering how communication (or lack of) has real, real impact in our everyday lives?? Even if you consider yourself a good communicator, it's a good idea to always be thinking of how to be better at it.
Here are three ways to better your communication in the new year, inside and outside the workplace.
1. Listen More and Ask Questions
Most of the time, we spend our listening time thinking about what to say next or thinking about something different entirely. What should I make for dinner tonight? Did I send that email? Even if you think you know where a conversation is going, try to reserve judgments, stay in a curious mindset by asking questions, notice tone and body language, and don't make it all about you by jumping in with stories ("that totally happened to me last week!").
2. Communicate Your Needs
How many times has someone interrupted you while you're focusing on something? Have you ever been confused if the person talking is asking for help or just wants to vent? Have you ever wondered why you're even sitting in this meeting? Communicating your needs is life-changing. It's certainly okay to let people know what you need! Use some of these statements as starting points:
I really want to listen, but I have to finish this email. How about in 10 minutes?
I see you're frustrated. Do you want me to listen or help you brainstorm solutions?
I would really like to see an agenda before the meeting, so I know how to contribute. Can you provide one?
3. Understand your Communication Style and the Styles Around You
Is there someone you think you communicate really well with? Someone not so well with? We all have tendencies and preferences when it comes to communication and those shape our priorities, motivators, and stress triggers. Knowing these for yourself (hint, hint), as well as those around you (hint, hint), helps everyone be more aware of how best to communicate effectively to reduce tension and make meaningful connections.
If these resonate with you and you're looking to better your communication in 2023, please take advantage of my coaching package, the Everything DiSC® Assessment + 60min coaching session, for $285. Here's the details:
Everything DiSC® is a comprehensive workplace development tool to build more productive and effective relationships at work and home.
This includes learning your DiSC® style in a 24+ page custom report, recognizing how your priorities, motivators, and stress triggers shape your workplace experience. This also lets you know how best to work with others who may have different styles.
In your coaching session, we'll partner to reflect on insights from your DiSC® assessment, hone in on a specific issue you're currently dealing with, and create an action plan for your next steps.
Spots will book up quickly! Contact me to book your coaching session as soon as possible.
Everything DiSC® is a great tool to use for team collaboration. If you're interested in bringing Everything DiSC® to your workplace or team, let's schedule time here for a chat to see how I can best support you and your team.
Here's to more effective communication with those around you in 2023!!