How do you use communication to build positive relationships?

2 Choose the right channel

The channel you choose to communicate with your team or others can have a significant impact on the quality and effectiveness of your communication. Different channels have different advantages and disadvantages, depending on the purpose, urgency, and complexity of your message. For example, face-to-face communication is ideal for building rapport, resolving conflicts, and conveying emotions, but it may not be feasible or convenient for remote or dispersed teams. Email is convenient and easy to document, but it can be misinterpreted or ignored. Video conferencing is a good alternative to face-to-face communication, but it can have technical issues or distractions. Therefore, you need to choose the right channel for each situation and audience, and use a mix of channels to communicate effectively.

3 Listen actively

Communication is not only about sending messages, but also about receiving and understanding them. Listening actively is a key skill for building positive relationships, as it shows that you care about what the other person is saying, and that you are willing to learn from them. Active listening involves paying attention, asking questions, paraphrasing, summarizing, and giving feedback. It also involves being aware of your body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, and avoiding interruptions, distractions, or judgments. By listening actively, you can improve your comprehension, rapport, and trust with your team and others.

4 Give constructive feedback

Feedback is an essential part of communication, as it helps you and your team improve your performance, skills, and behavior. However, feedback can also be challenging to give and receive, as it can trigger emotions, defensiveness, or resistance. Therefore, you need to give constructive feedback that is specific, timely, balanced, and actionable. Constructive feedback focuses on the behavior or outcome, not the person or intention. It also highlights the strengths and areas for improvement, and provides suggestions or guidance on how to achieve them. By giving constructive feedback, you can motivate your team, foster learning, and enhance your relationships.

5 Express appreciation

Another way to use communication to build positive relationships is to express appreciation for your team and others. Appreciation is a powerful tool to boost morale, engagement, and loyalty, as it shows that you value and recognize their contributions, efforts, and achievements. You can express appreciation in various ways, such as saying thank you, giving praise, writing a note, giving a reward, or celebrating a milestone. However, you need to be sincere, specific, and timely, and match your appreciation to the person and the situation. By expressing appreciation, you can strengthen your bonds, inspire your team, and create a positive culture.

6 Communicate regularly

Finally, to build positive relationships, you need to communicate regularly with your team and others. Regular communication helps you stay connected, informed, and aligned, and avoid surprises, gaps, or misunderstandings. It also helps you build trust, rapport, and credibility, and demonstrate your interest and support. You can communicate regularly by having frequent meetings, check-ins, updates, and feedback sessions, and by using various channels and platforms. However, you need to balance the quantity and quality of your communication, and avoid overloading, interrupting, or confusing your team and others. By communicating regularly, you can foster a collaborative, transparent, and productive team environment.