5 Tips for Better Communications Skills

Meredith Jannsen, Director, ASHP’s CareerPharm

 

Working as a team can be challenging because everyone has a different work style, experience and personality. Having good relationships with your colleagues is key to a successful work environment. Improving you communications skills will help you work more effectively in a team setting.

Think Before you Speak

Speaking your mind is important but it’s critical to make sure you’ve thought about the situation carefully beforehand. Consider the feelings of others, clear your mind and filter your emotions before you speak.

Skip the Blame Game

Trying to peg a problem on one individual will never get you anywhere. Keep the lines of communication open, speak honestly and work at the root of the problem, not the faults of the individual. In fact, showing recognition for successes is an even better way to tighten the lines of communication.

Listen

Listening is key to solving problems and working effectively in teams. When you’re co-worker is speaking don’t think about your rebuttal or defense. Stop and listed to what they have to say. While listening, you’re also learning, which ultimately makes you better at your job.

Practice What You Preach

Don’t expect things of your colleagues that you don’t adhere to in your own practices. Griping about employees who are perpetually late doesn’t make sense when you demonstrate tardiness too.

Keep Your Cool

If you have a tendency to let your emotions flare up try to look for a happy medium before getting too riled up. Employees who gripe, whine, or worse usually don’t get the respect they command from team members because they are seen as too emotional to trust.