HOW TO ​BETTER COMMUNICATE WITH COWORKERS TODAY

HOW TO GET ALONG WITH COWORKERS

Knowing how to better communicate with co-workers will help you to be effective in today’s ever- changing business environment. Currently there are 80 million Millennials, 60 million Generation Xer’s and 70 million Baby Boomers in the United States. There are many key differences between each generation and understanding how they identify with the world will help you be an effective communicator.
 
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GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES
 
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) prefer to communicate face-to-face and are direct but diplomatic. They prefer to be given options, so they can come to their own conclusions. This generation is less formal than their parent’s generation- the Traditionalists.
 
Generation X (1965-1980), prefer email as their primary form of communication. They like having the facts presented to them and want to know -what’s in it for them (WIIFM). This generation has a difficult time with delayed gratification, they want it now!
 
Millennials (1981-2006) prefer instant messaging and emailing as their primary forms of communication. They are very polite and tend to be more respectful. They also prefer to learn in a team environment and thrive on regular feedback.
 
4 WAYS TO BETTER COMMUNICATE WITH COWORKERS
 
1. LISTEN
 
Being an effective communicator at work requires having good listening skills. Using the aforementioned information about each generation will help you to better understand the intent of the speaker. When you can listen with empathy you will gain information on how to best respond to the other person. Engage your coworker by asking them a question to get the conversation started. Remember that this is a co-worker, so be careful in not being to personal.
 
2. CHOOSE THE BEST STYLE OF COMMUNICATION
 
If you want to be the more effective in communicating with coworkers or subordinates, use the style of communication that they prefer. Get to know team members and determine the most effective ways in which you can effectively communicate with them. Implement communication strategies that will be the most effective and watch the work environment thrive.
 
3. PULL THEM ASIDE
 
Let’s face it, we all make mistakes. The way in which supervisors, managers and team leaders handle those mishaps is critical in maintaining good communication with the organization. When you feel it’s required to point out an error in job performance, talk to the individual in private and address the issue. Publicizing the misstep can be demoralizing and unproductive. If you feel that the team could learn from the error, talk to the person who made the mistake first and state, the reasons why it could be good for the group as a whole. Maybe there is a better way to do something and the team can come up with the answer.
 
4. REFRAME PERCEPTIONS AND OPTIMIZE COMMUNICATION
 
Over time emotional blockages can be formed resulting in unhealthy communication. Removing unbiased perceptions can help you to see a situation for what it truly is and respond accordingly. What is perception reframing? Reframing the way that we see events circumstances, other people and ourselves is one of the fastest ways to blast through emotional blockages. 

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