Effective Communication Training

Effective communication is often called the art of getting the "uninformed" to understand what you are saying. Communication is the act of communicating meanings from one individual or set of individuals to another via the use of symbols, signs, and verbal cues. The concept of communication can be very broad and can apply to a wide variety of different situations. The word "communication" can also mean "reassuring," "putting across," "giving directions," "warning off," "establishing order," and "making known." A clear example of the potential for confusion in communication is the fact that while the phrase "You know," when spoken by two people, indicates that they are both aware of an event in which they cannot agree on a solution. The phrase "I don't know" suggests that they may not have an accurate understanding of the situation, while the phrase "I'm guessing" suggests that they might have an idea but are not sure.

Many people question how their organization can effectively communicate. There are many potential sources for poor communication in the workplace. Some of these include feeling disconnected from the organization, not having a good listening ear, being too verbally busy, and/or unable to effectively express themselves. However, effective communication is necessary to ensure smooth work environments and a productive staff.

Effective communication starts with your ability to listen. If you don't take the time to hear what someone is saying, it becomes difficult to accurately process or respond to the communication. Listening is essential. Effective communication starts with an understanding of your employees' communication needs and wants. As a manager or leader, it is your responsibility to recognize the communication needs and wants of your team members, and then assure them that you will (or will not) accommodate those needs. When communication starts with your understanding of what your employees need, you eliminate the need for constant clarification later on.

Effective communication helps build trust in the organization. Trust is a key element in the performance and productivity of any organization. Effective communication helps build trust within the organization by ensuring that important information is given only to those who require it, and only to those who deserve it. By avoiding "yes" or "no" responses, effective communication helps build organizational accountability and builds the foundation for more meaningful and dedicated team relationships. Furthermore, effective communication helps make communication easier for everyone within the organization.

Effective communication is beneficial to your boss, co-workers, and staff as well. Effective communication fosters open and honest communications within an organization. Effective communication encourages good customer service, which results in customer satisfaction and increased sales. Effective communication also promotes effective teamwork, a major part of any successful organization. Finally, effective communication keeps things moving in a positive manner--from your end!

In addition, effective communication helps maintain a pleasant work environment. An open communication helps avoid feelings of privacy and keeps things flowing smoothly. This helps create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and are able to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in an effective and professional manner. This results in less stress, more satisfied employees, and less negative impacts on the work environment.

If you've ever felt "unified" or "belonged" within a business organization, you likely felt "unified" after a period of time (many people say this took about five years). You probably thought you "got the message" or that you "knew what was going on". The results were always the same: confusion and disorganization at the top and bottom, poor communication at the middle, and an unhappy work environment. But if you're anything like me, you're probably still wondering "how did we get here?" If you're not happy with your current organizational position, or if your company is looking like it's going down the drain, taking a look at how effective communication can impact your work should be high on your list of things to do.

An effective communication system is a tool every leader should use. It's simply a matter of how focused and uninvolved you are with the process. In the case of verbal communication, good listening skills will help you to make clear, concise decisions and to be a better co-worker and team leader. Remember that effective communication isn't always easy, but if you want to do well as an employer or a leader, effective communication is necessary.