One of the biggest challenges most businesses face is communicating effectively with employees, clients, vendors, and others.
This is because those communicating information often have one meaning while those receiving the communication interpret it in a different way.
The best way to communicate effectively is by taking your time to create an effective message whether by phone, email, or face-to-face and deliver it in a confident manner that invokes trust.
How to Build Trust in Business Relationships
The only way to earn respect from those you work with is by building trust. This is done by meeting deadlines, following through with promises, and communicating effectively so everyone understands what you mean. Unfortunately, in the workplace, you have more control over meeting deadlines and following through than you have over people interpreting a memo or a conversation the way you want them to.
But there are ways to improve your communication skills in order to reduce confusion and build trust:
1. When composing an email or a memo use short sentences and only write about the topic at hand
2. Send email and memos to everyone involved in a project
3. Before speaking to those in your group, create a list of points you want to get across. Consider ways of approaching these topics and create a short document highlighting your main points
4. Always ask if anyone has questions
5. Be prepared to answer a variety of questions
6. Check in with group members from time to time to see how they're progressing
7. Avoid gossip whenever possible
8. If you see a work conflict, try to diffuse it as quickly as possible Learning what to say and how to say it are also important skills when you want to communicate information effectively.
How to Gain Respect from Co-workers and Clients
Most people want to build trust and earn the respect of their peer, clients, and superiors in the workplace. This is done by being consistent. When you learn how to communicate effectively with co-workers, clients, and others more people will want to work with you. They will encourage you to give your opinion or advice, they may ask that you give presentations more often, or they will want to include you in their projects, even if it's just in a supportive role. When you have the respect of others, it's important to give it back. Mentoring new employees, avoiding office gossip, and being pleasant to work with are all ways that you can give others your respect.
Find a Communication Mentor
If you're having difficulty mastering effective communication skills, find someone in your office who is effective. Study how they talk to other people, ask them how they learned this skill, and try to adopt some of their work habits. After a while, you will begin to use the skills you've learned without having to think about it. Additional ways to improve your communication skills include:
1.Writing practice memos or email
2.Practicing a speech or presentation before giving one
3.Taping yourself reading a magazine article or monologue in order to learn how to pace your speech.
Once you've learn how to communicate with others, their respect for you will grow.
Sharon Alexander is the author of the ebook Claim that Job.com - The Job-Hunting and Career Management ebook that teaches the skills and techniques needed to succeed in a competitive job-market. http://www.claimthatjob.com . http://www.claimthatjob.com/blog .
How to Gain Respect through Communication
