Why Communication is Important in the Workplace and Life: The Importance of Effective Communication”

Great communication skills are key to your professional success. In this lesson, you’ll learn the characteristics that define a great and the communication importance of communication at the workplace.

How does communication affect the workplace

When asked to name one trait of “great Comunication,” people tend to imagine skilled speakers. But communication is about so much more than just talking; it’s also about listening, writing, and nonverbal cues. Click the rows below to learn more about the four defining characteristics of excellent communication

Verbal

Great verbal communicators speak clearly and share straightforward messages. They adjust their tone and inflection to match their purpose, and they give varying amounts of information depending on their audience.

Whether speaking to a group or one person, great verbal communicators enunciate their words, stay on target, and are direct about their needs and intentions. Instead of saying, “I guess,” a skilled verbal communicator will deliver a clear “yes” or “no.” And instead of saying, “When you get the chance,” these speakers will provide a specific time frame or deadline. 

Listening

Skilled communicators know how to listen. They remove distractions, stop themselves from jumping to conclusions, and avoid interrupting others. Great listeners pay close attention, help their speakers feel heard, and ask questions to improve their comprehension.

If a message is vague, skilled listeners don’t try to figure out the meaning for themselves. Instead, they provide direct feedback, asking the sender for more information with questions such as, “Can you please provide more details or an example, so I can understand what you’re saying?”

Writing

Strong writing skills go hand-in-hand with excellent communication. Skilled communicators know how to write clearly, confidently, and efficiently—writing messages that are grammatically accurate and easy to understand.

In every medium, skilled writers craft clear messages that people can easily understand. Their writing is well-organized, concise, and to the point.

Nonverbal

Skillful communicators are actively aware of how nonverbal cues can either reinforce or discredit their messages. Whether speaking or listening, they use nonverbal cues to nod in agreement, make eye contact, and use signals such as hand gestures to express themselves and reinforce their messages.

Skilled communicators also pay close attention to the nonverbal signals of others—observing facial expressions, body movements, posture, and nonverbal actions. As a result, skilled communicators avoid misunderstandings, respond appropriately, and forge positive interactions with others. 

Five Professional Benefits of Great Communication

When you’re skilled at sending and receiving verbal, nonverbal, and written messages, you’re likely to improve your workplace performance. Here are five great reasons to strive for effective communication:

1. Improved collaboration. When you speak clearly, listen attentively, and use the appropriate nonverbal cues, conversations become easier, improving your team’s ability to brainstorm, develop new ideas, and collaborate with one another.
2. Improved team cohesion. A team that communicates well is more likely to be on the same page about overall goals and individual responsibilities. Plus, they can reference excellent written documentation to avoid misunderstandings.
3. High levels of customer trust. Regardless of how you choose to communicate, it’s easier to earn the trust of customers if you openly share your services and vision. You foster trust by listening to customers’ needs, hearing their concerns, and offering feedback that demonstrates your interest in their success.
4. Effective employee management. You can set up your staff for success with straightforward, easy-to-follow directions and guidance. And by actively listening and picking up on your employees’ nonverbal cues, you can more easily understand their needs, concerns, and ideas. When you communicate well as a manager, your employees receive clear direction and feel heard and valued. That, in turn, helps to improve their performance—and their trust in your leadership.
5. Conflict resolution. Conflicts happen, but they don’t need to end negatively. Show empathy and remove misunderstandings by sharing carefully constructed messages paired with appropriate verbal and nonverbal signals. Listening attentively, responding to nonverbal cues, and offering thoughtful feedback can help resolve misunderstandings and conflicts.