Benefits of Learning Communication Styles
Communication is essential inside and outside the workplace.
What are the different styles of communicating that individuals use? What exactly are the nuances involved in this professional skill? Below, we discuss the basics of communication and the communication styles that all businesses need to be aware of.
What Are The Basics Of Communication?
Everything that happens in the world, whether good or bad, is a direct result of communication.
When it comes to communicating effectively with another person in both the workplace and in our personal lives, we first need to truly understand what this process involves.
The process of communicating is made up of a series of events. When these events are managed and delivered well, it leads to a situation where effective communication can be achieved. In order to practice this process effectively, you need to first learn what the basics of communication are.
Communicating with others involves four components. These are:
- The Sender
- The Receiver
- The Message
- Feedback
The person initiating the conversation (i.e. the sender) must say or do something that represents what is in their mind. The receiver then must interpret what was said or done and seek to understand what is being communicated to them. The result of this becomes the message. Oftentimes, the meaning of the message as given by the receiver is not the same as the meaning that was intended by the sender. That is why feedback is vital. When meaningful feedback and conversation occurs, that is when the sender can ensure that the message they wanted to get across was truly understood. It is only when these four components are carried out and practiced together that communication can be considered a success.
The Different Communication Styles
Many people don’t realize that there are multiple different communication styles that can be used when providing information or sharing knowledge in the workplace. Below, we outline three of the main styles of communication that businesses leverage.
Interpersonal
Verbal or interpersonal communication is the method of speaking with another person that we are most familiar with, face-to-face. This communication style does not just focus on what is being said but also how it is said.
While words play a large role in transmitting messages in this style of communication, there are also non-verbal cues at play here such as tone of voice, body language, facial expressions and gestures. All of these cues must be paid attention to along with the words being spoken.
Non-Verbal
What we don’t say is often as important as what we do.
Essentially, we are talking about the non-verbal cues such as body language that we give as part of communication. Non-verbal methods of communicating allow us to interpret additional information and meaning over what is being spoken.
For example:
- Facial expressions can tell you what kind of emotional state an individual is in.
- A nod of the head can signify that someone understands what you are saying.
- Mirroring other people’s posture can be a sign of rapport building.
- The tone and speed of speaking can indicate whether someone is nervous or relaxed.
Written
Businesses rely heavily on written forms of communication when sharing ideas, knowledge and information. Communicating with others via email is commonplace among employers, employees and customers. This communication style enables the sender to develop an organized and well-crafted, considered message.
Written styles of communication can have some drawbacks. This can happen because written communication doesn’t allow the receiver to see the non-verbal cues of the sender. As a result, it can be more impersonal and does not allow for immediate feedback.
Emails and written messages can be easily misunderstood and misinterpreted. If you do not display the correct skills needed to effectively communicate a message via this style.
Why Improving Your Different Communication Styles Is Essential For All Companies
Developing effective communication skills and understanding the different styles of communication that individuals use will always be of benefit for companies. Understanding communication is a cornerstone of corporate conflict resolution.
Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful business that is why leaders must invest in the training needed to know how to efficiently communicate internally and externally. Taking the time to truly understand how people send and receive messages will not only improve interpersonal relationships but can also increase employee engagement and satisfaction.
Here at Training Company, we recognize that many everyday activities require great communication skills in order to be carried out successfully. Many of the professional training courses that we offer on our learning management system give your business the opportunity to improve upon these skills so that communication can become more effortless and fluid.
Interested in improving your employee’s communication skills? Reach out to us today and we’ll help you create a training plan that is right for both your business goals and your employees.