4 Ways to Tear Down The Communication Barriers that Cost You Effectiveness, Sales, Productivity, Engagement, Profit

Did you know that 86 percent of workplaces struggle with effective communication?

For teams and businesses to be successful, excellent communication is key. However, if communication barriers exist in the workplace, that success can be hindered as problems linger, disengagement grows, and good ideas never get considered.

In this post, we discuss four ways to tear down communication barriers and foster excellent communication skills for your team or business!

1. Encourage Openness

In any workplace, it's important for employees to feel like they can communicate openly with their managers and colleagues. However, this is not always easy to achieve. Various factors can contribute to forming barriers to communication, including:

• Differences in attitudes and experiences,
• Feelings of insecurity or exclusion, and
• Language barriers.

Nonetheless, there are several ways to encourage openness and demolish these barriers.

One is to create a culture of transparency, where information is shared openly and individuals feel comfortable asking questions. Another is to provide opportunities for employees to interact with one another. For example, you can organize events such as team-building exercises or social occasions.

By taking steps to promote open communication, businesses create a more cohesive and productive workplace.

2. Promote Active Listening

Another way to demolish communication barriers in the workplace is to promote active listening.

Active listening is a communication style in which the listener expresses full attention to the speaker, paraphrases what is being said, and asks questions as needed. This type of listening requires focus and concentration, and it can be difficult to do in a busy workplace.

However, active listening can help to:

• Build trust,
• Improve understanding, and
• Resolve conflict.

It can also help to create a more positive work environment. When employees feel they are being listened to and respected, they are more likely to be productive and engaged. 

3. Use Clear and Concise Language

Whether you're communicating with your boss or your subordinates, it's important to use clear and concise language. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and that there is no misunderstanding.

One way to demolish communication barriers in the workplace is to avoid jargon. Jargon is often used in business settings to make information sound more impressive. However, it can also be confusing and exclusionary. If you want everyone to be able to understand what you're saying, it's best to stick to plain language. The adage “explain it so a six-year-old can understand it” isn’t bad advice.

Another way to improve communication in the workplace is to be aware of cultural differences. Even if everyone speaks the same language, there can still be misunderstandings due to different cultural norms.

For example, what might be considered polite small talk in one culture could be seen as intrusive in another. By being aware of these differences, you can avoid inadvertently offending anyone and help to create a more positive work environment for everyone.

4. Understand the Different Communication Styles to Communicate Exponentially Better

Effective communication equals power in today’s competitive world. When you add in the skill of identifying an individual’s behavioral style you have the tools to communicate powerfully by being able to identify with everyone you meet. If you know who they are, why they do what they do, and what motivates them, you have the ability to:

• ADAPT to their personality style,
• MANAGE the interaction, and
• INFLUENCE all outcomes.

DISC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance) training teaches your team – from executives to line workers – how to instantly relate to and talk to others, so the other person feels like they are getting what they are looking for in a discussion.

It’s a game-changing and inexpensive tool for sales professionals, managers, customer service personnel and others in your company. It impacts everything, including employee engagement, productivity, and retention, to customer referrals, social media reviews, sales, and growth.

Make Rapid Improvement In Your Company Through Effective Communications

Communication barriers can hinder success in the workplace, but there are a number of ways to overcome them. By Encouraging Openness, Promoting Active Listening, Understanding DISC Styles, and using clear and concise language, you can help create a more positive and productive work environment for everyone. Try these tips today and see the difference they make in your workplace.

Want to explore how to improve your team’s effectiveness quickly? Like to find out what DISC training can do for your company? Get in touch and let's set up a time to talk.