Effective communication skills are critical to improving your work environment

October 15, 2005

By:  Bob Whitehead

One important quality that employers are looking for when considering applicants for entry-level, post-
college positions is a college course in interpersonal communication. Effective communication skills are at
the foundation of good customer service, problem-solving, and leadership strategies.

Technology based communications is easy in the workplace -- we have e-mail, conference calls, and desktop
video conferencing. But it's important for employees and clients to be able to effectively communicate face-
to-face with one another as well. These are skills that can be taught and that can be used beyond the
workplace. Good communication improves family, romantic, and other personal relationships.

Communicating effectively is characterized by such things as active listening, using "I" messages instead of
"you" messages, conflict management, positive body language, and asking the right questions. These may
sound like basic ideas, but they can change the fabric of your communication by fostering a better climate
and making communication more effective and focused.

Effective workplace communication not improves workplace relationships, but it also improves workplace
efficiency. Once employees are on the same communication page, meetings and team-based projects will be
much less of a hassle. Seminars and workshops can be extremely helpful in achieving this, as well as DVDs
and books.

If you're considering investing in some products to improve communication strategies in your workplace,
check out the line from Communication Ideas. They'll get you on the right path to more effective, better
communications applicable across all areas of your life. For employers and employees alike, devoting extra
time to improving these skills will also lead to a more productive, effective working environment.