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5 New Year's Resolutions to Improve Workplace Communication
December 17, 2009
Could 2010 be the year your workers start enjoying, rather than enduring, their fellow employees? One workforce management specialist says it's possible—if you make the right workplace communication New Year's resolutions.
There is a way next year to improve workplace communication and increase co-worker camaraderie, says Sam Chapman, author of "The No-Gossip Zone: A No-Nonsense Guide To A Healthy, High-Performing Work Environment," who outlines five ways to start the New Year out on a better foot:
• Commit to a no-gossip policy. "If you want to clean up your communication style, the first thing you need to do is eradicate gossip from your life," says Chapman. "Gossip not only ruins reputations and relationships, it also prevents honest communication. Agree to cease gossiping (including listening to gossip) and see how quickly your relationships improve."
• Own "your 100 percent" and accept that you aren't perfect. "Rather than become defensive, stay open and listen to what people have to tell you," says Chapman. "If your co-worker complains you aren't a teamplayer or your employer tells you that you are always late, don't immediately launch into a comeback. Instead, sit there, listen, and discover if there is some truth (and some lesson) in what is being said."
• Move your emotions. "Emotions are often thought of as unprofessional, so whenever workers are sad, angry, scared, etc., they try to hide it—which only makes those feelings even stronger. Instead, act it out to the millionth degree," Chapman advises. "Do you feel like crying? Go ahead! Angry? Hit a ball!"
• Turn your complaints into requests. "The next time you find yourself complaining, stop yourself. Look to see if there is a way to turn your complaint into a request," he says. "For example, when talking to your co-worker, instead of saying, 'You never help me with these reports,' try saying, 'Can you please help me write up this report? Let's split up the work evenly so we can get done faster.' Not only will you be more likely to get the result you want, but you will also improve your relationships and stop an argument from breaking out."
• Complete with each other. "After an issue or argument arises, authentic communication should be used to 'complete' the conflict," says Chapman. "When someone "completes" with a co-worker, they are sharing their issues in an open and honest manner with the intention of ending the problem as soon as possible."
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