Too often, we have situations derail not because of the message or the messenger but the way it was conveyed. And because of the ‘how,’ you see defense mechanisms spring up and resistance to what is being said. Zero communication is NOT the answer; mastering the art of communication IS, and it is never truer than at a workplace. Employees in a team come from diverse backgrounds and don’t have a history or family to fall back on. They meet at the workplace and engage with one another while working on team goals. We expect them to trust and support each other almost instantly, and we grapple with internal team conflicts, anger, and general dissatisfaction.  

But is it possible to have a cohesive team from the get-go? Perhaps not. But we can strive to ensure that each employee has the foundation to build on their interpersonal communication skills by hiring the right fit for the organization. It is easier to build on the foundation and boost their skills to set up a team that knows how to communicate correctly. This blog explores the importance of effective interpersonal communication skills and how to achieve them in a work environment. 

Why is Interpersonal Communication Important at Work?

Interpersonal communication is essential at work because it allows co-workers to interact and cooperate, leading to a more productive and efficient work environment. It also builds better relationships between co-workers, making the work environment more engaging. Additionally, strong interpersonal communication helps: 

• Create a positive workplace culture because it boosts employee morale and motivation and creates a more productive work environment. It is also an excellent way to attract and retain talented employees. 
• Improve collaboration on projects and tasks, enabling employees to work together towards common goals. Better interpersonal communication ensures sharing ideas, resources, and expertise to create a better outcome. 
• Build trust among employees through honest and open communication – making employees engaged and motivated. Additionally, with trust comes a sense of belonging and a willingness to be supportive.  

These are a few benefits of positive interpersonal communication in the workplace. They are not insurmountable, and to make it easier. We plan to give you a few ideas to achieve all this and more in your organization. First, let’s start with the characteristics of a strong interpersonal communicator. 

How to master the art of Interpersonal Communication?

Listen first (always more than you speak) 

Merriam-Webster defines listening as “to pay attention to sound; to hear something with thoughtful attention, and to give consideration.” A good communicator will listen carefully instead of merely hearing the sounds. They won’t be thinking of what to counter with or the next task on their to-do list. Thoughtful attention means giving the speaker attention without interruption, trying to understand their point of view and what they are trying to say.  

Avoid making assumptions  

Assumptions are clouded judgments. Please do not make assumptions or presume what the other person thinks or feels because they come with your personal baggage and are colored by your perspectives. Instead, seek facts, and ask them directly to ensure that you are on the same page.  

Be clear and concise 

A lack of clarity in thought and words mislead the listener leading to a total breakdown in communication. It is vital to avoid confusion and ensure that the listener understands what you are trying to say. It is more important at work because a lack of clarity will likely lead to someone dropping the ball on a project, resulting in failure to meet the team’s goals.  

Be always respectful  

Interpersonal communication is more than language skills. It is the intent and the method of connecting with teammates. It is also being respectful of each other. Traits like condescension, gossip, and personal diatribes have no place at work. Instead, convey your thoughts and ideas respectfully at all times.  

Seek feedback  

It is not enough to tell co-workers that you are receptive to feedback, lest your body language conveys the opposite. Communication involves facial expressions, body language, eye contact, and, not least of all, words. It is not necessary to act on the feedback as it may not be actionable. But not being receptive will mean you no longer receive any feedback. Erecting a wall goes against the grain in effective communication.  

Now, we come to using technology to boost interpersonal communication: 

Even though a percentage of employees are returning to work in an office or following a hybrid work model, we have seen technology’s positive impact during the many COVID-related lockdowns. We have become adept at using devices and technology to stay connected with the remote workforce. And staying connected requires frequent communication. Yet, communicating via a device to improve our interpersonal communication skills remains a hot topic for debate. However, we can establish protocols and procedures to utilize technology to build and maintain productive relationships with colleagues. For instance: 

Automation-enabled technology 

Use automation-enabled technology to solicit 360-degree feedback, and get reports on soft skills competencies to find areas of improvement. These tools also give greater visibility into how well the team manages to communicate and if the teams are working collaboratively. Any cracks in these areas indicate it is time to boost interpersonal communication.  

Video conferencing 

Use video conferencing for face-to-face meetings when possible. Don’t limit communication to emails or phone calls. Instead, choose video conferencing for one-on-ones and other important meetings. Today’s employees are not novices at video conferencing, and seeing people’s faces and body language, albeit through a screen, can still make a big difference in how well you communicate.  

Social media 

Use social media to build relationships. Stay in touch with colleagues, even if you’re not in the exact physical location. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with people you work with, and follow company pages or groups to stay up-to-date on what’s going on.  

Face-to-face interactions 

Face-to-face interactions have become more nuanced since zoom calls and FaceTime serve the purpose. So, it is communication through a device or across the table. Nevertheless, making time for an, let’s call it, in-person interaction when you’re in the same physical space as your colleagues will give a boost to existing virtual relationships. It is worth the commute and the time to sit across from each other and have a conversation. You will build stronger relationships, making it easy to collaborate on projects even if you have to return to using devices.  

Wrapping up 

Tools and technology are not going anywhere and will only evolve to make interpersonal work relationships more profound and meaningful even as our work life becomes flexible. We adapt to new ways of working. Performance management software offers tools that make it easy for the organization to expand the scope of interpersonal communication at work to strengthen teamwork and employee performance.