Communication matters in your relationships and how you interact with your coworkers. Statistics show that 65% of marriages end in divorce, and 70% of work problems are due to poor Communication. In episode 15 of the Just B You Podcast, communications specialist Leilany Lima breaks down how to improve your Communication no matter your situation.
In this blog, you will discover why Communication is important, learn three ways of listening, and how to improve your communication skills.
FAQ’s
Why does Communication matter?
Why does Communication matter at work?
Is Communication the most important thing?
What Does Communication Mean
Communication is exchanging information, thoughts, or feelings between two or more people. The goal is to be understood and have everyone involved on the same page. When there’s a breakdown in Communication, sh*t hits the fan.
Most people forget that their body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues are a form of Communication and impact how ideas are received. My facial expressions have gotten me in trouble once or twice. Listen to Communication Isn’t Complicated with Leilany Lima below for the funny story of how my facial expression almost got me fired.
Communication is a soft skill that most people say they do well, but only 4% of businesses report communicating effectively. Leilany Lima was recently a guest on the Just B You Podcast, and she’s been fascinated with how humans interact with each other since college. Her curiosity led to a counseling career helping leaders, friends, and family with interpersonal relationships.
Keep reading because, in this episode, Leilany gives tips on listening to the people around you better.
Three Ways To Listen
In the episode, Leilany talks about the other half of Communication: listening. There are three ways a person listens when communicating. One way is active listening. Active listening is when you’re okay with being silent when someone is speaking. You’re not thinking about how you will respond to what’s being said, but you can paraphrase what was said.
Reflective listening is when you restate the speaker’s words and ask if that’s what they meant. Reflective listening sounds similar to active listening, but it differs because you must wait for the speaker to confirm.
Attentive listening allows someone to finish their thoughts without interrupting or allowing the environment to distract them. When you set the intention to listen attentively, you will enable you to learn something new about the person.
When you practice active, reflective, or attentive listening, it allows you to be on the same page.
Leilany
Communication Matters at Work
According to Leilany, when you communicate well, you build trust, have better relationships, and feel safe, primarily if you work remotely. Many remote positions rely heavily on emails, zoom meetings, or management tools to connect and communicate with team members. Your Communication at work must be as straightforward as possible so you can perform at your best.
Here are some statistics from a 2022 study by Project.co on why communications matters in the workplace:
- 86% of employees blame company failures on poor Communication
- Good Communication increases employee engagement, and 85% of employees aren’t engaged at work.
- 97% of Communication is non-verbal
- 10% of businesses lose employees because of lousy Communication
- 42% of employees say they are stressed or burnt out
For more ways to improve your Communication at work, read my blog post, Black Equity Con: Day 2, for the top 6 tips Dharius Daniels says every leader should use to communicate.
How to Develop Your Communication Skills
Halfway through the show, Leilany and I discussed the relationship between self-awareness and Communication. She points out that when you’re self-aware, you think of ways to have productive conversations.
If you’re like me, you probably thought about the times you’ve blurted something out; you didn’t take feedback well and wished you could do it over. You can’t do it over but can self-reflect and try a different approach. When you understand and trust yourself, you allow yourself to be vulnerable and make others safe to talk to you.
Leilany’s 4 Tips to Improve Communication
Before you start a conversation with someone, whether written or verbal, Leilany suggests you do these four things first:
- Set intentions based on the conversation you want to have
- Keep an open mind, and don’t make assumptions
- Accept that men and women communicate differently
- State what you hope to get out of the conversation
- Ask the right questions
- Overcommunicated when necessary
Communicating in Career Transitions
Switching careers happens more frequently in a person’s life than you’d think. According to a Forbes article, 72% of GenZers and 66% of millennials are changing careers. If you fall into this category, then your Communication matters to create a flexible life you’re passionate about. It is essential to evaluate what’s important to you, develop a plan, and see how it aligns with your employer. To create a remote lifestyle, check out my blog, How to Attract a Blissful Remote Lifestyle and Ditch Your 9-5.
Closing
Communication matters anytime you’re interacting with someone else. Leilany Lima suggests you practice listening, having an open mind, and asking questions when unclear to improve your communication. Check out the full episode of the Just B You Podcast wherever you listen to the podcasts.
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