You're struggling to communicate with your network team. How can you improve your communication skills?

1 Assess your communication style

Before you can improve your communication skills, you need to know your strengths and weaknesses. How do you prefer to communicate with others? What are your goals, values, and emotions? How do you handle feedback, criticism, or conflict? You can use self-assessment tools, such as the DISC model, to identify your communication style and how it affects your interactions with your network team. You can also ask for honest feedback from your colleagues or managers on how you can communicate better.

2 Adapt to different situations

As a network administrator, you may encounter different situations that require different communication approaches. For example, you may need to use technical language when troubleshooting a network issue, but avoid jargon when explaining it to a non-technical client. You may need to be assertive when negotiating a contract, but respectful when dealing with a complaint. You may need to be concise when writing an email, but detailed when creating a report. You should be able to adapt your communication style to suit the context, audience, and purpose of your message.

3 Listen actively and empathetically

Listening is more than just hearing what others say. It is also about understanding their perspective, emotions, and needs. To listen actively and empathetically, you should pay attention to the verbal and non-verbal cues of your network team, such as tone, body language, and facial expressions. You should also ask open-ended questions, paraphrase what they say, and summarize the main points. You should avoid interrupting, judging, or making assumptions. By listening actively and empathetically, you can build trust, rapport, and respect with your network team.

4 Express yourself clearly and confidently

When communicating with your network team, you should be able to express yourself clearly and confidently. This means using simple, precise, and relevant language that conveys your message effectively. You should also use appropriate tone, volume, and pace that match your intention and situation. You should avoid using filler words, such as "um", "like", or "you know", that may weaken your credibility or clarity. You should also use positive and constructive language that encourages cooperation and feedback.

5 Use different communication channels

As a network administrator, you may have access to different communication channels, such as email, phone, chat, video call, or face-to-face meeting. You should be able to use these channels effectively and appropriately, depending on your communication goals and preferences. For example, you may use email for formal and written communication, such as sending a proposal or a report. You may use phone or chat for quick and informal communication, such as confirming a task or asking a question. You may use video call or face-to-face meeting for complex and interactive communication, such as discussing a problem or presenting a solution.

6 Seek feedback and improvement

Communication is a continuous learning process that requires feedback and improvement. You should always seek feedback from your network team on how you can communicate better, such as asking for suggestions, opinions, or ratings. You should also give feedback to others on how they can communicate better, such as offering praise, recognition, or advice. You should also monitor and evaluate your communication outcomes, such as checking the results, impact, or satisfaction of your communication. You should also seek opportunities to learn and practice new communication skills, such as taking a course, reading a book, or joining a group.