The Most Important Skill of Effective Communicators - Term Paper Example

Table Of Content Introduction: 2 2.Why effective listening is necessary in workplace? 2 3.Effective listening helps in 3 4.Conclusion: 3 References: 4 1. Introduction: Organization or workplace is the combination of a large whole of entities that are bond together for some specific reasons. Employers, customers, stakeholders, share holders and the owners all are linked together to achieve their specific goals. The success of the organization depends on several factors and one such factor is the effective communication within the workplace. Without effective communication workplace becomes a highly stressful place which de-motivates the employees, thus ultimately effect the overall growth of the organization. Actually, strong communication within peers helps in building a solid relationship among colleagues and the top management which prevent pointless misunderstandings. Effective communication includes several skills such as non-verbal communication, stress management, the ability to understand and recognize emotions of the listener and the speaker. However, listening is considered as one of the most important attribute of effective communication in the organization because it conveys the words and feelings of the communicator simultaneously. Moreover, it also creates a sense of respect and honor in the communicator that he is being listened and given worth too. 2. Why effective listening is necessary in workplace? In today’s competitive era, organizations need to receive, manage, send and process a large amount of data on everyday basis. The effective communication techniques like listening, managing stress, non-verbal communication and emotional awareness are needed for better understanding of the messages because it is not just exchanging information; in fact it is the understanding of the meaning and emotions behind the message/information. Effective communication in workplace helps in improving relationships at every level of the organization, it improves problem solving, decision making and teamwork. It also helps in communicating even the difficult or negative messages without giving birth to conflicts that can destroy employees trust (David, 2013). Joe was my project leader at McDonalds, he was like a guiding star for me, and he saw some spark in me, that I couldn’t see in myself even my entire life. I was appointed with a team and task related to the advertisement of the company. My main focus was controlling my team and implementing company policies than coaching them. I made thousands of mistakes in my initial years and Joe office was open every time and I can come with my frustrations, questions anytime I want. He was open to hear me without redirecting or interrupting. He always stays on my topic and didn’t formulate his response. I always felt understood, honored and valued and it was very therapeutic for me at times. Based on my needs Joe appeared as a friend, counselor and even parents sometimes and I made huge success within shortest time. His behavior made me understand that attentive listening is the most important skill of a communicator and is the pillar of success for an organization. Attentive listening is one the best practices of the effective communication and is the most important skill of the effective communicators. Great leaders and communicators are always good listeners and are not mere talkers or speakers. They use their ears and mouth in the workplace to provide the necessary information as well as receive it equally. They look for ways to understand before getting understood. Basically, talking to your colleague or boss is not a communication; in fact it is half of the communication. The 2nd half of the communication is listening (Hawkins, 2012). If you talk to someone who is not completely attentive to you, it will be more like exercising than communication. Attentive listening fulfills the very basic need of being understood by others. There are countless situations where you sense that employees are not asking for any help in solving their issue, they only want you to listen them and empathize. Similarly, people or communicators who prefer speaking than hearing are not very effective in motivating their employees. They fail to garner their trust because they are usually self-centered and didn’t care about others. They urge to be the focal of attention within the organization. Research has made it clear that attentive listening helps in building relationship because it make the employees feel motivated, valued, respected and important (Randall, 2011) . 3. Effective listening helps in It helps in making the narrator feel understood and heard which helps in building a deeper and stronger connection between the employees and the higher authorities. It creates a workplace environment where all the members feel safe and are able to express their opinion; ideas and plans to solve the problem in more creative and lucrative ways. It also saves time because there is no need to explain the information again and again; moreover, it avoids misunderstandings, negative emotions and conflicts. To be an effective listener you don’t need to agree with him or her, not necessarily with their opinions, ideas or values. You need to put your judgmental side apart and without any criticism or blame listen to his words and understand the emotions behind it. Remember, when the most complicated communication takes place successfully, it leads to mind-blowing outcomes. To be an effective listener you need to nod occasionally, or smile at times just to make sure that your posture is inviting and open. Your small verbal remarks like “uh huh”, Okay or “Yes” encourages the speaker to carry on (Riddle, 2013). 4. Conclusion: In a nut shell, it is cleared that, there are several ways of communication and several practices for effective communication, but listening is the most important of all. Irrespective, of your level or role within an organization, if you develop the ability to be an attentive listener then, just watch the growth of your success and the overall outcome of your performance. Developing effective communication skills is not a difficult task at all; however, it is highly effective when spontaneous than the formulaic. For example, a speech or order that is read only has rare impacts than the speech delivered spontaneously. No doubt, it takes efforts and times to develop effective communication skills and become a good communicator, but the more spontaneous and instinctive you are the better will be the communication. The more you are willing to practice, more rewarding and satisfying your interactions will be with your colleagues. References: David, M. (2013). Creating, Improving, and Maintaining Better Communications in the Workplace. Secrets of success , 64. Hawkins, M. (2012). # 1 Skill of Effective Communicators - Listening. USA: Alpinelink Corporation. Randall, E. (2011). Improving Communication Skills in Business and Relationships. Effcetive communication and business growth , 4-6. Riddle, J. (2013). 5 Things To Practice for Effective Communication Skills. China: CZB press. Read More