Are Common Communication Barriers Holding You Back at Work?

Are Common Communication Barriers Holding You Back at Work?
By Kaitlin Madden on Jul 16, 2010 in Career Advice, Featured, Office Etiquette

At first glance, communication can seem pretty easy. You started doing it when you were born, and you’ve been doing it every day since … how can you not be awesome at it, right?

Well, as it turns out, effective communication is a surprisingly fickle beast. It’s also a highly underestimated business tool. Done right, communication can make you seem authoritative and professional; done wrong, you risk seeming unreliable, insecure or impersonal.

“Your communication skills are not only essential to your being understood, but they contribute to the overall impression you make,” says Sandra Naiman, author of “The High Achiever’s Secret Codebook: The Unwritten Rules for Success at Work.” “If you are lacking in this area, others might conclude that you are generally careless, less than competent and perhaps not as intelligent or crisp as your peers.”

So how do you ensure that your communication skills are effective in creating a positive, authoritative, well-understood message? Below, Naiman offers five common communication barriers, and how to overcome them.

Listening skills: “Having poor listening skills is a major contributor to poor communication,” she says. “It is important to carefully focus on what someone is saying without assuming their intent, interrupting or preparing your response.” Let the other person finish and be sure you’ve understood what they said before responding.

Scattering attention: “Attempting to multi-task while communicating will interfere with your ability to listen well and respond appropriately, as well as signaling that you are not interested in what the other person has to say. If you are busy or distracted, negotiate another time to talk.”

Poor grammar: “Typos, misspellings and poor grammar in written communications undermine your credibility,” she says. Don’t rely on spell check to catch all your mistakes. Proofread written communication for correct grammar, missed words, and proper spelling of website and company names.

Speaking clearly: “Lack of eye contact or other such body language can keep your words from being heard. Also talking too loudly or too softly can interfere with getting your message across.” To ensure you are understood, turn towards the person you are talking to, project your voice and don’t talk too fast.

Rambling: “[Going] on and on or providing more information than necessary can result in losing the attention of the listener” Naiman says. You have a point — make it, and move on. Being direct and cutting to the chase when you’re speaking will not only make your message more clear, but you’ll be seen as more commanding, in a good way.

Because most of us communicate on auto pilot, it can be difficult to figure out which areas of communication we need to improve on. The best way to figure out if and where you’re experiencing communication barriers is to start playing attention to your daily conversations:

Do you constantly have to repeat yourself? Maybe you’re speaking too quickly or too softly.

Do co-workers start to look away or seem distracted when you speak? Chances are, you’re rambling, and they either stopped paying attention a while ago or are looking for a way out of the conversation.

Does it feel like you’re in the same conversation over and over again? Start listening to what others around you are saying, instead of talking, and then immediately starting to think about what you’ll say next. You’ll be surprised at how much more productive your conversations become when you take into account the other person’s point of view.

If you need a more objective approach to pinpointing your communication barriers, get feedback from a trusted colleague or friend. Ask them to pay extra attention to your e-mails and conversations, in order to identify any of the above listed problem areas. Then “You can take classes or workshops, identify a coach or a mentor and continue to get feedback as you work to improve,” Naiman says.

Becoming an MVP at Work

By Robert Half International

Baseball season is in full swing, and the All-Star Game is right around the corner. As the players who compete in the Midsummer Classic know, there's no room for a weak link on a winning team. The same holds true for the office. Most companies are still operating with lean staff levels and reduced budgets. That means just one underperformer can affect productivity and the entire team's workload.

The following tips will help distinguish you as a workplace MVP:

Have a winning mind-set

The best employees face challenges head on. For example, if you make a mistake, don't sugarcoat it or try to shift the blame onto someone else. Admitting that you flubbed an important play can be difficult and humbling, but businesses value people who act quickly to rectify the situation. MVPs also are both optimistic and realistic. They acknowledge problems but tackle them with a positive attitude.

Don't be afraid to change plays

Persistence is a good trait, but it's even better when paired with adaptability. High-achieving employees aren't daunted by challenges; they approach them from multiple angles. For example, if your marketing budget is cut unexpectedly, you might look for alternative ways to promote your business or try to negotiate lower rates from vendors. The next time you strike out, try adjusting your strategy or soliciting input from someone who brings a different point of view. Also remember that true MVPs can make adjustments midstride without complaint. When the manager calls a new play, focus on what needs to be done instead of what an inconvenience it might be.

Develop the ability to make tough calls

The most valuable employees can be counted on to exercise good judgment and make difficult decisions. They understand how a given task fits into the organization's larger goals. So consider how you typically approach complex problems. The best decision makers survey the field and collect as much information as possible, carefully weighing the facts before acting. They also remain calm, even if it's the bottom of the ninth and the pressure is on.

Practice good sportsmanship

High performers remain professional in all situations. While you may not be best friends with all members of the team, you should treat everyone -- from the receptionist to the CEO -- with respect and offer heartfelt congratulations when another player comes through in the clutch. Also, avoid gossiping in the office, which can quickly sink team morale.

Offer to pinch hit

Is a colleague struggling under a heavy workload? Volunteer to take an at bat for him or her if you can. Lending a hand to an overwhelmed coworker builds goodwill and fosters teamwork. It also allows you to build skills in new areas and show your manager that you're willing to step outside your job description. In addition, offering to pinch hit for someone increases the likelihood he or she will sub for you when you have too much on your plate.

Build an enthusiastic fan base

MVPs have fans -- lots of fans. To build your fan base, you may need to conduct some internal public relations. Make a point of speaking up at meetings and offering suggestions. Also, keep your manager apprised of your projects and successes through regular updates, and participate in company activities that allow you to build relationships with others throughout the organization. In addition, remember that gaining visibility isn't just about highlighting your own expertise or contributions. If you provided support for a group project, acknowledge the entire team's efforts and notable individual contributions.

Finally, keep in mind that top performers strive for success in everything they do and have a good sense of what it takes to get to the next level. Setting long-term goals for your career can give you focus and prevent you from just drifting along.

With the right approach, you can distinguish yourself among your peers. When your manager looks at his or her lineup, you'll be seen as an indispensible member of the team.

Temp help rises by 20,500 in June!

U.S. temporary help payrolls rose by 20,500 in June, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Total nonfarm payrolls fell by 125,000 to 137.5 million as the number of U.S. Census workers dropped by 225,000. However, the private sector added 83,000 jobs.
The unemployment rate fell to 9.5% in June from 9.7% in May.
U.S. temporary help payrolls totaled 2.1 million jobs in June with the increase of 20,500, according to the BLS. Temporary help payrolls had risen by 31,000 jobs in May and 23,300 in April based on revised numbers. The temporary help services category has added 379,000 jobs since the low of September 2009.
The temporary penetration rate rose to 1.61% in June from 1.59% in May. The number of temporary jobs in May was adjusted down by 3,200.
In June, the employment services category overall added 35,800 jobs for total employment of 2.8 million. The employment services category includes employment placement agencies, temporary help services, executive search services and professional employer organizations.
Healthcare added 9,000 jobs in June. It has gained 217,000 jobs over the past 12 months.
The transportation and warehousing category added 15,000 jobs in June, and is up by 44,000 since its low in February. Manufacturing added 9,000 jobs in June; it has gained 136,000 jobs since December 2009.
Construction employment fell by 22,000 jobs in June.
While employment in the private sector rose by 83,000 jobs in June to 107.7 million, it remained 7.9 million jobs below its December 2007 level.