Communication plays a critical role in our lives everyday – at home, in social settings, and in the workplace. And yet mastering the art of communication is still elusive to many individuals, especially those who are in a new role or organization.
It’s understandable: after all, you’ve taken on new responsibilities with a new company that is comprised of individuals who are unfamiliar to you. But even for those who are naturally good at communicating, these circumstances can cripple a person’s communication, leading to frustration and unhappiness in the workplace.
Effective workplace communication is an essential part of an organization’s success. It enhances colleagues’ relationships, increases client satisfaction, and makes the entire company more successful overall. Research has proven that the results of poor communication are fairly obvious, as more than 70% of business mistakes are due to poor communication.
As a new employee, it’s essential that you practice clear communication with your teammates and upper management within the first few months of work. This will set you apart from others who appear to be less effective in their work and will cement you as a reliable worker who produces great results on a regular basis.
So, what happens if communication isn’t particularly your strong suit? How do you grow your communication skills over time?
The most effective way to communicate is by practicing active listening with every person you interact with throughout the workday.
This may seem obvious, but here’s a question: how often have you multi-tasked while on a conference call or in a meeting with others? It’s almost an automatic default to stay productive, even when the current task is to just sit in a two-hour meeting that seems to have no point.
Here are some best practices for active listening in the workplace:
- Prepare Ahead of Time: never go into a meeting by just “winging it”. Instead, take time to write a few notes on what you understand the purpose of a conversation or meeting to be, any relevant questions, and state your personal goals for the project.
- Identify Your Information Retention Pattern: perhaps you retain information after writing it out manually or ask questions to better understand the subject. Be alert and tuned in to the fine details of a conversation and follow up with questions as needed.
- Ask for Expectations and Goals: it never hurts to ask for clarity on the expectations or goals of a conversation. In fact, it will save you the time and confusion further down the road that will occur if you neglect to clarify what is expected of you.
Effective communication is an essential part of any organization, and as a new team member, it can be the thing that sets you apart in the best way. One of the best skills a leader can have is to be able to disseminate information effectively and improve morale through open lines of communication. No matter your role, others will look to you as a leader, but it all starts with active listening.
Biotech Partners has developed strong relationships with both their candidates and their client companies. If you’re interested in partnering together to find the right role or person for your open role, book a complimentary call to discuss your specific needs. We’re more than happy to get you on your way to finding the perfect match!
