We all started
training for life in the corporate world from a very young age. You may not
have known it, but we’ve been learning how to affectively communicate since we
were toddlers. You may recall many times as a child or teenager being asked to
do something around the house. When your parents came back to evaluate your
work, they were dissatisfied, asking why you didn’t complete the task you had
been assigned to do. Clarity is the fundamental in our communication with
others, and nowhere is it more important than in the workplace. In business you
may be talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars instead of dirty dishes.
Advances in technology
and globalization make business communication more complex, even for small
businesses. Small businesses may be lured in to thinking that communication is
a problem only for large corporations with many employees, but effective
communication is vital for success in businesses of every size. Clarity in
business communication requires an intentional approach to communications in
all forms.
When responding to a co-worker or client. It is essential that you
address any outstanding subject topics and convey openly and clearly the course
of action you would take. Let’s say for instance that your boss has asked you
to return and report about the risk associated with a specific acquisition. You
first need to understand exactly what he is expecting. Does he want
projections, quantifiable data, your opinion, or all three? Understanding and
clarifying his request is the first step to giving him an appropriate response.
In that same sense, helping your employees understand your own
expectations allows them to better do their jobs. Consistency is vital in the
workplace. If you are inconsistent in your expectation, clarity is dissolved
and your company will achieve varying levels of efficiency rather than a
unified understanding of what is expected of them.
Achieving consistent
clarity in professional communication can reduce contention in other areas of
organizations. Think back to the example of your mom, asking you to do the
dishes. When she came back and the job wasn’t done to her expectations, you
were both frustrated at the outcome. With clear communication, many customer
service issues and interpersonal conflicts never have an opportunity to
manifest themselves.
An increased effort to
maximize transparency in the workplace will lead to more success than any other
aspect of business. Clarity builds trust that can be leveraged in ways that
benefit both individuals and organizations.
Check out this site for more information on how you can enhance communication in the workplace: https://www.boundless.com/business/textbooks/boundless-business-textbook/business-writing-5/introduction-to-business-communications-42/the-importance-of-clarity-in-professional-settings-218-3434/
Check out this site for more information on how you can enhance communication in the workplace: https://www.boundless.com/business/textbooks/boundless-business-textbook/business-writing-5/introduction-to-business-communications-42/the-importance-of-clarity-in-professional-settings-218-3434/
