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Effective Communication in the Workplace

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Effective workplace communication helps maintain the quality of working relationships and positively affects employees' well-being. This article discusses the benefits of practicing effective communication in the workplace and provides strategies for workers and organizational leaders to improve communication effectiveness.

Workplace Communication Matters

Effective workplace communication benefits employees' job satisfaction, organizational productivity, and customer service (Adu-Oppong & Agyin-Birikorang, 2014). We summarized Bosworth's (2016) and Adu-Oppong and Agyin-Birikorang's (2014) works below related to the benefits of practicing effective communication in the workplace.

• Reduces work-related conflicts
• Enhances interpersonal relationships
• Increases workers' performance and supervisors' expectations
• Increases workforce productivity through constructive feedback
• Increases employee engagement and job satisfaction
• Builds organizational loyalty and trust
• Reduces employees' turnover rate
• Facilitates the proper utilization of resources
• Uncovers new employees' talents

Strategies to Improve Communication Effectiveness

Effective communication is a two-way process that requires both sender and receiver efforts. We summarized research works and guidelines for good communication in the workplace proposed by Cheney (2011), Keyton (2011), Tourish (2010), and Lunenburg (2010).

Sender's strategies for communication planning

• Clearly define the idea of your message before sharing it.
• Identify the purpose of the message (obtain information, initiate action, or change another person's attitude)
• Be aware of the physical and emotional environment in which you communicate your message. Consider the tone you want to use, the configuration of the space, and the context.
• Consult with others when you do not feel confident or comfortable communicating your message.
• Be mindful of the primary content of the message.
• Follow-up previous communications to verify the information.
• Communicate on time, avoid postponing hard conversations, and be consistent.
• Be aware that your actions support your messages and be coherent in your verbal and behavioral communication style.
• Be a good listener, even when you are the primary sender.

Receiver's strategies during a conversation

• Show interest and attitude to listen.
• Listen more than talk.
• Pay attention to the talker and the message, avoiding distractions.
• Be patient and allow the talker time to transmit the message.
• Be respectful and avoid interrupting a talker.
• Hold your temper. An angry person takes the wrong meaning from words
• Go easy on argument and criticism.
• Engage in the conversation by asking questions. This attitude helps develop key points and keep a fluid conversation.

Effective communication practices are essential for any successful team and organization. Organizational communication helps to disseminate important information to employees and builds relationships of trust and commitment.

Key points to improve communication in the workplace

• Set clear goals and expectations
• Ask clarifying questions
• Schedule regular one-on-one meetings
• Praise in public, criticize in private
• Assume positive intent
• Repeat important messages
• Raise your words, not your voice
• Hold town hall meetings and cross-functional check-ins.

Adu-Oppong, A. A., & Agyin-Birikorang, E. (2014). Communication in the Workplace: Guidelines for improving effectiveness.  Global journal of commerce & management perspective ,  3 (5), 208–213.

Bosworth, P. (2021, May 19). The power of good communication in the workplace . Leadership Choice. Retrieved May 18, 2022.

Cheney, G. (2011). Organizational communication in an age of globalization: Issues, reflections, practices . Waveland Press.

Keyton, J. (2011). Communication and organizational culture: A key to understanding work experience . Sage.

Tourish, D. (2010). Auditing organizational communication: A handbook of research, theory, and practice . Routledge

Lunenburg, F. C. (2010). Communication: The process, barriers, and improving effectiveness.  Schooling ,  1 (1), 1-10.

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Effective Communication in Work Place Essay

Introduction, good interpersonal skills in communication, weaknesses and strengths in communication, good communication plan.

Business profession requires frequent communication between the clients and the people doing that particular business. Occupation in the field of business is mostly alienated to the offices. Communication in business should be a 100% effective (Adler, Rolls, & Proctor, 2008).

This would help to improve the performance of that particular organization. Organizations dealing in business work are always headed by officers or manager. Very important on the manager’s docket is the flow of information from him to other employees. Creation of a perfect relationship with the employees would help cater for situations that would arise due to poor communication.

Consultation is one of the best ideas when dealing in business. As much as one may be fully packed with information it is good to involve other people. For example, when collogues are involved in formulation of business policies they feel comfortable as they also participate in the implementation process.

Effective breakdown of communication helps individuals to understand one another. This also helps in the development of respect among employees. Listening is also an important aspect of communication. Junior employees may worry about the reception by their managers. This is especially in business profession.

When one member has a business idea and is not able to communicate it due to the fear of not being listened to, it results into failures. All workers in an organization should give a listening ear to their colleagues so as to help develop a good working relationship (Adler, Rolls, & Proctor, 2008). Innovative information might be ignored when some colleagues are not listened to.

These are outlined below;

• Listening is very important for effective communication. As much as it is a skilled behavior, it is also psychological. Listening skills or aspects include reflecting skills, attending skills and following skills (Adler, Rolls, & Proctor, 2008). This is very applicable in business oriented institutions. Ability to appreciate and empathize goes a long way to improve communication among colleagues in a business set up. Knowing a colleague’s personal profile, that is, the family background could help in treating the colleague in an organized manner.
• Attributes to good communication are as follows, clarity, audibility, present ability, feedback information and so much more. Employees require to be given accurate information that will guide them on what actions to take on their journey to building their organization (Adler, Rolls, & Proctor, 2008). Accurate information prevents such habits like skipping appointments.
• Good Present ability of information to the clients on the business development status is also a worthwhile step. Customers would be happy to know that their money is safe in case of a banking business. The clients are always encouraged when they are informed on the progress of their partnership and business as a whole. This helps in building trust between customers and the employees. The organization is also marketed in this process.

Conflict is one of the major barriers to effective communication (Adler, Rolls, & Proctor, 2008). When a conflict occurs, there is always need to have an excellent approach to the situation at hand. One problem I have is blaming others for a mistake I would have corrected by myself.

This kind of attribute in work place does not work miracles. Due to the need to be conscious for twenty four hours, seven days a week and through the month, it calls for one to learn how to solve conflicts.A good approach to conflict together with reasonable solutions will go a long way to help improve worker-worker relationship.

The issue of “I know it all” is another weakness. It predisposes one to spend a lot of time doing one assignment that could have been done by inviting one or two people who have different talents. This could result into fatigue hence; the procedures that follow cannot be performed accurately.

This could turn also to a blame game as no one would want to be taken responsible for any failure. Winning an argument does not always solve a problem but create more misunderstanding. Because a single employee seems to know it all does not mean he/she can perform all the assignments. For example, in innovative projects, it is important to include other people in your new business innovation. This would bring much wealth of knowledge to your idea. Such versatility in business works miracles. This is because unity is strength.

Focus is important to achieve effective communication. This helps in alleviating problems that arise from earlier mistakes. In staying focused, one is able to target the current situation with the hope of handling every step with great care. For example, great focus is required when handling junior employees. As a boss it is not right to degrade the juniors. They are always responsible for building an organization. Frequent appraisal goes a long way into reviving their strength.

Having a great listening capability, is one of the skills I have learnt to employ in every communication process. This has helped in strategizing my work and hence good responses. In business it is important to take keen interest of the customers. Therefore listening to them helps to improve the relationship as well as developing the business economically.

In addition, improving on weaknesses could involve creation of group discussion that would help in solving critical situations. Every human being needs a helping hand, hence, it is important to discuss certain crucial matters that affect employees and come up with plausible solutions. Having a listening ear and getting to know other colleagues’ point of view helps to reduce fateful occurrences that arise from poor communication.

A mutual understanding can contribute to effective communication. Communication is important to every aspect of life. Poor communication breakdown can cause detrimental results that cannot be reversible especially in institutions that deal in business matters which are client based. This would result into loss of clients that took the institution several years to come up with.

Adler, R. B., Rolls, J. A., & Proctor, R. F. (2008). Look: Looking Out: Looking In (Canadian Edition). Toronto, ON: Nelson Education.

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Effective Communication — Why is Communication Important in the Workplace

Why is Communication Important in The Workplace

• Categories: Effective Communication Workplace

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Words: 827 |

Published: Sep 7, 2023

Words: 827 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

The importance of effective workplace communication, the types of workplace communication, 1. verbal communication:, 2. nonverbal communication:, 3. written communication:, building relationships through effective communication, conclusion: the cornerstone of workplace success.

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Effective Workplace Communication Essay Examples

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Business , Management , Communication , Workplace , Message , Information , Organization , Employee

Words: 1600

Published: 02/27/2020

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Effective Workplace Communication

Workplace communication is the social collectiveness in which workers develop ritualized patterns of sharing information through interaction in an attempt to coordinate the activities of the organization, or achieve personal and group goals. During the course of interaction, effective communication demands that the information that is conveyed must be understood by the parties involved. Good communication is often defined with clarity of understanding instead a simple agreement. The communication may lead to agreement or disagreement, and as such, a conflict within employees that has been going on for a long a long time does not necessarily imply lack of effective communication (Ludden & Ludden, 2007). It is evident that effective communication is essential for effective functioning of every part of any organization. Communication facilitates organizational success through linking marketing, finance, production, personnel and maintenance departments although these departments may receive direct communication from corporate goals and objectives. The importance of direct communication, which is effective, may not be overemphasized for one reason especially for the managers. This is due to the fact that managers are involved in communication in at least everything that they do. In fact, communication is needed in order to increase efficiency, improve quality, satisfy customers and create innovative products (McIntosh et al, 2008). The importance of effective communication to the organization success is so significant that not only managers but also employees should be effective communicators. Helping employees to improve in their communication skills is part of the roles of any manager. When all members of a team, a department or an organization are able to communication with each other effectively, and even interact well with people outside their group, they have a higher likelihood of performing well (Ludden & Ludden, 2007). The success of the organization will, therefore, depend on effective communication from both the management and workers. Most people have a presumption that we are living at the start of the new millennium, and in a golden age of communication. Technologically, it can be agreed that this is a golden age of communication. As a matter of fact, the current age grows golden each and every day because each coming day brings new and faster machines and their software. The truth is that the age has not changed to golden in terms of how people should communicate with each other. The message that is being delivered has not changed to golden message (McIntosh et al, 2008). For successful communication, people must focus on all precepts of communication which include medium, the messenger and the message. Sometimes, people who have greatest technological skills fail to communicate successfully. It may be assumed that this people fail due to their own technology. In some instances, the short electronic mails have come to replace the well thought-out letters. In this golden age, there are more avenues through which people can reach out to one another but there is no apparent replacement to face-to-face communication (Picardi, 2001). It is not just the medium of communication that is important. A medium like the one that uses computers does not exist in isolation; it is used by people. Ultimately, messages are created by people and not the machines. Both corporate and organizational workplaces are changing rapidly due to change in technology. It is therefore, upon the organizational managers and supervisors to see that positive changes are incorporated within the organization. The new technology may not work when in the hands old communicators (Picardi, 2001). Failure of effective communication is more than an annoying inconvenience. It is very costly for organizations because it prevents positive change, it disadvantages employers competitively, it reduces productivity, and it even diminishes employee morale. Study has shown that poor communication, especially when it comes from the management causes frayed tempers within employees and lowers their morale (McIntosh et al, 2008). Actually, it makes people live with doubt, fear and confusion at the workplace. Effective communication is very essentially in planning and controlling of the resources of the organization, which is aimed at accomplishing the objectives of the organization. Business messages are very important which makes effective communication a very important business tool and an essential tool to employees. There are a number of essential keys to building effective communication; completeness, conciseness, consideration, concreteness, clarity, courteous and correctness (McIntosh et al, 2008). Completeness is when a business message comprises all the information that the receiver needs in order to understand and give a response to the message. A complete message answers six basic questions: what, who, when, why, where and how (Ludden & Ludden, 2007). For example when a manager is asking a worker to prepare a report, he or she must state what report is required, when the report should be completed, where and to whom the worker must deliver the report and how the worker must create the report. This components will make communication complete between the manager and his employee (Ludden & Ludden, 2007). Conciseness is another element of communication that can make communication effective. Business messages that are concise are both time and cost effective given the fact that the messages convey only relevant information in a concise manner that is without the repetition of ideas. Concise messages are those that do not have details that are not necessary (McIntosh et al, 2008). These details may include words or phrases that may confuse the receiver. The message or communication should also be considerate. For the message to be considerate, it means that the message should be able to meet the needs of a specific listener. This implies that the receiver should have necessary tools to execute what the message requires from him or her. Concreteness is a communication which ensures that the communicator uses definite or specific information such as figures and facts to convey the required ideas. Messages can also be more concrete if the communicator uses more explicit words (McIntosh et al, 2008). Clarity is another element which can enable the listener to understand the message with little effort. In order for the speaker to speak more clearly, he or she should use familiar words and precise language Wrench, 2013). Clarity requires that speakers should avoid some technical terms unless they are sure that the receiver is sure that the listener is familiar with such terms. The speaker should also avoid awkwardly arranged words and some lengthy sentences. Effective communication within the organization should be courteous in that it should be respectful of the communicator and the listener. This implies that the communication should avoid questionable humor. Besides, the communication should be correct. Being correct is when the information is properly punctuated, good grammar and spelling, and use of accurate facts and figures. All workplace communication falls under two categories: verbal and nonverbal communication (Picardi, 2001). Verbal communication is inclusive of all messages that use words whether oral or written. This kind of communication can either be formal or informal. Formal communication is that which occurs in management information and other directives about the policies and procedures. The transmission of such policies can be through written document channels or orally at conferences and other meetings. Informal communication is primarily an oral transmission of information usually across the table during lunch time, at the gym or in the car pool. Written and oral communications are the components of verbal communication (Cheesebro, O'Connor, & Rios, 2005). Oral communication is one of the most important functions in business organizations. With oral communication, a problem or a situation can be solved almost instantly. Without good oral communication, the business of an organization will slow down (Ludden & Ludden, 2007). Everything from handling customer inquiries, questioning fellow employees to making business presentations and evaluating performance would become completely difficult without oral communication. Oral communication requires both good speakers and good listeners especially when it is done over the phone (Cheesebro et al, 2005). Written communication is another component of verbal communication. Written communication is more permanent and difficult unlike verbal communication. The writer in this kind of communication must function in isolation and it can be reviewed from time to time Wrench, 2013). The most frequently used forms of oral communication may include: direct mails, bulletin board notices, letters, electronic mails, memos, reports and letters. Nonverbal communication is very important in social and business situations. This is a kind of a message that is usually sent without a speech or written words. These messages are often sent unconsciously or involuntarily by body language, physical appearance or sensory signals. About 93 percent of the messages are communicated through nonverbal cues (Wrench, 2013). The first impression that is often made in businesses is through physical appearance. Personal hygiene, clothing, posture and grooming all combine to give an immediate nonverbal statement. All these elements can combine to make communication effective in an organization which in turn can enable the business to achieve its set objectives.

Cheesebro T., O'Connor L., & Rios F. (2005). Oral workplace communication: job talk. Prentice Hall. Ludden, M., & Ludden, M. (2007). Effective workplace communication: Skills for success in life and on the job. Indianapolis, Ind: JIST Works. McIntosh, P., Luecke, R., Davis, J. H., & American Management Association. (2008). Interpersonal communication skills in the workplace. New York: American Management Association. Picardi, R. (2001). Skills of workplace communication: A Handbook for T&D specialists and their organizations. Greenwood Publishing Group. Wrench, J. (2013). Workplace communication for the 21st century: Tools and strategies that impact the bottom line. ABC-CLIO.

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