Participate in Workplace Communications. Workers Must Be Able To
Participate in Workplace Communications. Workers Must Be Able To
Participate in Workplace Communications. Workers Must Be Able To
1. Small Business»
2. Business Communications & Etiquette»
3. Communication in the Workplace»
What Are the Two Ways of Communication in the Workplace?
by Candace Webb
Although there are several ways to communicate in the workplace, the most basic types are external
communication and internal communication. Internal communication is used to regulate, manage
and encourage productivity. Internal communication happens between company employees.
External communication is used to advertise, sell, respond and build the business. External
communication happens between company representatives and customers, vendors and others.
Internal Communication
Companies use face-to-face internal communication in training, promotions, demotions and other
areas of the workplace. While managers also can handle most of these tasks with written
communication, an in-person, face-to-face communication is more personal and opens the door for
verbal exchange.
External Communication
Many forms of external workplace communication are available, including faxes, Internet websites
and advertising. Your company website promotes your business, allowing you to showcase your
products and services. Faxes allow you to communicate over long distances, in writing, so there is a
paper trail of the communication effort on your part. External communication not only serves
customers but also can be used to place inventory orders with vendors, check out the competition
and plan for the future. A phone call to a competitor gives you pricing information. An email to
potential customers alerts them to upcoming deals and bargains.
Advertising
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Effective communication in the workplace is imperative in a leadership role. An age-old
aphorism goes, “It’s not what you say, but how you say it.” Good communication is what
separates a poor leader from an exceptional one. Having effective communication skills
is the key to good leadership.
When you communicate well with your team, it helps eliminate misunderstandings and
can encourage a healthy and peaceful work environment. Efficient and open
communication with your team will also let you get work done quickly and
professionally.
The moment you get the lines of communication open with your team, the process of
carrying out tasks and projects will most likely go by smoothly. Plus you will be
surprised how meeting targets will become a whole lot easier.
3. One on One
Experts have been able to prove that some people understand better when you take
them aside and talk to them on a one-on-one basis. Ensure that you maintain eye
contact with them to enable the message to sink in.
4. Create a Receptive Atmosphere
To effectively communicate with your team, you must create a receptive atmosphere.
Avoid a tense environment at all costs because when you communicate in an overly
intense manner, the message you are trying to share might not be well understood or
retained.
8. Use Visuals
Place visuals at strategic positions around the workstations of your team. They should
not just hear the message, they should also see it. This gives room for better
comprehension.
19. Gesticulate
Use your hands to demonstrate your message. Make hand motions and signals to
establish the seriousness of your subject matter when communicating with your team
members. This shows that you understand what you are trying to relay to them. Just
don’t let your body movement become too exaggerated and intense.
20. Be Appreciative
After every communication session, via whatever means you have decided, always
remember to thank your listeners for their time. It will cost you nothing and it’s a simple
courtesy.
Remember that the point of working as a team is to share ideas and boost productivity.
When effective communication in the workplace is hampered, it can sidetrack the entire
effort.
You must work hard at these communication tactics and create ground rules to keep
everyone up to date, which helps avoid confusion and ensure the completion of the
project with ease.
In the workplace, good communication isn’t just about mitigating conflict (although that is an
important benefit of communicating effectively). Good communication is also an important factor in
client relationships, profitability, team effectiveness, and employee engagement.