You might not think so, but we utilise a variety of communication techniques in the workplace. They’re used to convey information and enhance relations.

Some of the most common communicative practices include things like 1-1 meetings, collaborative projects, and virtual interaction.

Through good communication skills, you’re guaranteed to grow collaborative and corporative workspaces. But without decent interaction, both employee and business relationships will crumble. 

Let’s look at what communication techniques are, which business sectors benefit from them, and how to deploy techniques within your workplace.

What are communication techniques?

Communication techniques are methods used to vocalize or demonstrate a point of view.

In the workplace, these techniques are defining factors between a good business and an excellent one. 

It’s beneficial to establish good communication techniques in all work areas. For example, when facing potential clients or performing daily tasks with teams.

Contrary to belief, not all communication techniques revolve around talking. They can also include things like body language, brand representation, and written form–through both physical and digital means.

As a company, having robust communication skills allows you to connect with economies in more ways than you’d think. You can enhance employee engagement and healthier environments, whilst reducing workplace hostility and conflict.

In the end, they all lead back to having effective professional communication. 

Examples of workplaces that require good communication 

Every business can positively benefit from growing good communicative skills. But in some companies, it’s a deciding factor between running and succeeding.

Here are a few examples of workplaces that require good communication:

• Teaching: Through mentoring from lecturers or coaches.
• Medical facilities: Through therapists, occupational health, and medical professional.
• Marketing and human resources: Through interviews or performance appraisals.
• Customer services: Through client-facing jobs. 
• Hospitality sectors: Like within hotels or care-homes.
• Advisory roles: Like within financial or legal sectors. 

10 ways of effective communication techniques for managers to deploy

We’ve looked at the definition of communication and real-life work examples. Now, let’s discover 10 ways managers can deploy effective communication techniques within their workplace:

1. Always be cohesive and clear

When it comes to communication, it’s all about getting your point across in the best way possible. That’s why it pays to be cohesive and clear.

Try this next time you need to express information or direction. Before writing, typing, or saying anything, think about:

• What is the purpose of communication?
• What information do you hope to gain?
• What is the best form of communication to use?

Being vague, ambiguous, or unclear can be self-destructive for the business. It breeds poor decision-making, imprecise instructions, and chaotic work practices. 

2. Turn up your listening skills

When you hear the word ‘communication,’ the first word most of us think of is talking. Yapping, chatting, discussing–but what more of us should think about, is listening.

The knack for developing good listening skills comes from paying attention and avoiding interrupting. Absorb what people are saying and ask for clarity on their opinions.

Remember, we were born with one mouth, but given two ears for a reason!

3. Concentrate on your tone of voice

It might seem like you don’t have conscious authority over things like this. But it’s so important to watch your tone of voice when communicating. 

A person’s tone of voice can easily set the precedence for an entire conversation–in a good way, and a not-so-good way.

Concentrating on what tone you use when communicating can determine how expressions and points are put across. If you start a conversation with a hostile or pessimistic attitude, it might not land in the best way. The receiver may feel upset or insulted. Some may even choose to respond in the same manner, which isn’t healthy or beneficial for anyone.

So, next time you’re in the midst of a discussion, think about volume, emotion, and presence. The same word or sentence can be presented in so many ways, simply because of your tone of voice.

4. Learn about emotional intelligence 

Emotional intelligence is about having the ability to understand and acknowledge emotions in other people. Through it, you can effectively connect with people, resolve disputes, and empathise with others.

There are four categories of emotional intelligence:

1. Self-awareness. 
2. Self-management.
3. Social awareness.
4. Relationship management.

Each of these categories lets you utilise emotional intelligence effectively. And it’s this that leads to positive communication techniques for all kinds of situations.

5. Practice being empathetic 

Empathy is the ability to emotionally acknowledge and understand what another person is feeling, thinking, or imagining for themselves. 

The workplace presents a whole hive of opinions, ideas, and emotions. And every person will hold their own version of how they think a project should be completed. 

As a business, employer, or line-manager, it’s important to be empathetic through communication. You’re bound to face disagreements, maybe even conflict. Just make sure you view all opinions in a respectful and empathetic manner. 

6. Give a little respect

If you consider ‘yin’ as empathy, the ‘ýang’ is respect. They come hand-in-hand and both lead to well-established communication.

Employees will present all kinds of situations during work. What needs to maintain throughout is unequivocal respect.

But remember, respect only works in mutual settings. In order to attain it from your workforce, it needs to be presented openly. So, be sincere and honest with daily work situations–you’ll soon be able to grow respectful employee relations.

7. Present a balanced level of confidence 

It’s important to present balanced confidence through your communication skills. 

People are more receptive when you display a presentable level of confidence. They’ll tend to believe in your ability to deliver or keep promises. 

The best method for presenting balanced confidence is done through body language. Like, retaining good eye-contact or speaking firmly during conversations. And this goes for one-to-one interaction with colleagues; or external people like customers, clients, and the public.

But you need to establish a good balance between confidence and over-confidence. Or else you’ll accidentally repel people, which is the opposite of what you want.

8. Boost your social skills 

You might find it hard to believe but being sociable is a great way to build effective communication.

When it comes to different forms of communication, people are often more receptive to friendlier and jovial tones. 

And we’re not talking about going out partying every night or meeting up for Friday pub-lunches. You can easily boost your sociability simply through expression. 

Start by writing personalised messages, especially with new clients and colleagues. This easily demonstrates your character, charm, and persona. From this, people will be less hesitant to reach out and correspond.

9. Be open-minded to new norms

In the workplace (and to be fair, in real-life), you will come across new communicative norms, and practices. 

Past methods (which you might be comfortable with) could be considered outdated or erratic. Sure, the proverb, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ might spring to mind. But at the end of the day, businesses need to be able to adapt and evolve with the times in order to succeed.

So, be open-minded when it comes to new workplace norms. And understand how utilising them can be good for your company.

If you genuinely don’t see the benefits, try to reach mutual grounds with the other person or party. Being open to hearing other ideas and practices is a better approach than shutting them down from the get-go.

10. Ask questions, really good questions 

Now you’ve reached the end of your conversation. You’ve concentrated on your tone of voice, been empathetic, and really listened well (probably with a little more vigor than normal!)

At this point, it’s time to ask questions. And not just any old ones, really good questions!

Asking good questions is a sure-fire way to enable conversations to flow calmly and come to a reciprocal ending. At this point, you’ve both taken respected time and effort for the other person’s point of view. Now, it’s all about both parties departing on a successful note.

Let’s avoid asking too many closed questions. Stick to open-ended ones, as this allows the other person to present their version or opinion without coercion or influence. 

Some of the most beneficial conversational questions to ask start with, ‘what if…’ or ‘tell me about…’. These questions ensure you receive the most well-rounded answers.

In the end, remember that good communication is the glue that holds a well-functioning business together.