Understanding Effective Communication – A Letter From REB’s President

Effective communication is vital to every business. Whether you work from home or in an office with hundreds of people, poor communication can lead to low productivity or unmotivated employees. There are several helpful ways to improve your communication skills to avoid communication breakdowns and maintain effective communication in the workplace.

To communicate effectively, you must be able to actively listen or pay close attention to what the other person is saying. Asking clarifying questions or rephrasing what they’re saying is a way to practice effective listening and this allows you to respond appropriately.

It is important to consider what form of communication you’re using to convey your message. When communicating through email or text, a short message can be misconstrued with anger or lack of care. Personalizing the message helps the receiver understand the tone of the message and can also help them feel more appreciated.

Managers and supervisors should provide employees with constructive feedback through email, calls or even weekly updates. Feedback can help clear up any confusion or questions on tasks or projects and ensures that everyone is on the same page. In addition to feedback, giving recognition and praise such as “Good Job” or “Thanks for handling this” will boost morale and overall employee motivation.

Putting these practices into play will help avoid communication breakdowns in the workplace, allowing your company run more smoothly and effectively.

– Lori L. Palmer, President, REB Storage Systems International