10 Communication Hacks to Boost Your Career

Effective communication is one of the most important soft skills in the workplace.

In fact, according to a recent survey by Salesforce, 86% of employees and executives cite a lack of collaboration or ineffective communication for workplace failures.

Poor communication in the workplace can lead to many issues, including:

☑️Misalignment on objectives
☑️Decreased productivity
☑️Decreased morale & job satisfaction
☑️Ineffective sales outcomes

However, professionals who learn to communicate at a higher level often find positive effects on their career path. According to a Gartner survey, more informed employees outperform their peers by 77%.

This article will share ten communication hacks to help executives and professionals boost their careers.

1️⃣Keep It Simple & Short

Work can easily become complicated with multiple variables, interdependent workflows, and shifting priorities, particularly in high-paced work environments. While this is true, professionals should aim to keep their communication as simple as possible. Be specific, be succinct, and focus on the most important action item.

2️⃣Use Multiple Touchpoints to Share One Message

The average person receives dozens of emails throughout the day. It’s important to make sure that your message is not only delivered but also received. When you are sharing an important note, make sure to follow up using multiple channels such as email, LinkedIn, in-person, phone, slack, and any other relevant communication channels.

3️⃣Embrace In-Person Meetings

There are subtle nuances to communication that are lost when you are not communicating directly with another person. Body language, tone, and the ability to conduct a natural back & forth can be lost when people hide behind their screens.

4️⃣Don’t Avoid Difficult Conversations

Professionals who take difficult conversations head-on are more likely to be seen as potential leaders and valuable team players. While situations like this can be uncomfortable at times, the faster and more direct you are, then the more likely you will be to overcome challenges and find a successful path forward.

5️⃣Develop Your Self-Confidence

The exact same message delivered with confidence (or a lack of!) can have significantly different outcomes. In a professional setting, self-confidence is an important trait, particularly in a leadership position or in demonstrating to an executive team that you are the right candidate for the next promotion in the company.

6️⃣Be Aware of Your Professional Image

Not every aspect of effective communication relies on what you say or write. The way you are perceived, the way you look, and your overall professional image within the workplace can affect your communication efforts and how other people receive or react to your messages.

7️⃣Work on Your Active Listening Skills

Listening is a critical aspect of effective professional communication. You need to fully understand others in order to respond to them accurately and appeal to their needs. Ask questions, repeat what they say in your own words, and give them the space to speak openly and honestly about important topics.

8️⃣Ensure That Information is Easily Accessible

If you are referencing a document or specific information, it’s crucial to make sure that it’s easily accessible and available to everyone. This helps streamline communication and avoids repetition or clarification through back & forth messages, which keeps action items moving quickly without roadblocks.

9️⃣Be Totally Honest

For professionals who want to build trust and respect with their peers and leadership team, honesty is always the best policy. While this is easier to do if you approach it with confidence, being transparent with your thoughts, hesitations, and feedback will help demonstrate that you are a true team player who is focused on doing the best given the reality of any situation.

?Practice Presence

There’s no faster breakdown in communication than an absent mind in a conversation. Be present, be attentive, and be aware of when the person you are speaking with is engaged or not. Co-workers and leaders will respect your presence, and ultimately, you will be able to communicate more effectively because you will be sure that you are heard, as well as hear the most important points of a conversation.

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