The Power of Positive Communication in the Workplace

One of the strongest tools in any working place is communication. It is able to establish relationships or establish boundaries. It is able to inspire or de-motivate. And sometimes, one sentence, uttered with the wrong or the right tone can change the atmosphere in a whole team. That is why creating positive communication habits is not only easy but a soft skill but a basis of a powerful company culture.

Now positive communication does not imply that we are too jovial or we do not handle hard subjects. It refers to engaging in all interactions, such as feedback, collaboration, and solving problems, with respect, clarity, and understanding. It is all about putting solutions rather than blame.

Here is an example. You can think of a team where failure is not seen as a defeat, but as a lesson. Individuals within such settings do not conceal mistakes but speak openly about them in order to avoid repeat of mistakes. It is what positive communication brings about, psychological safety in which individuals find it safe to speak up.

The following is the action form of positive communication:

• Active listening – attentive listening as opposed to waiting to respond.
• Positive feedback – instead of always, I noticed.
• Acknowledgment – being appreciative, even of minor efforts.
• Understandability and clarity – lack of assumptions and terminologies.

Research has established that employees who feel listened to are 4.6 times more destined to deliver their best at the workplace. Why? Due to their feeling of respect and value. Good words and listening enhance morale and eliminate conflict in the workplace.

Of course, this is also applicable in the leadership. Leaders communicating in terms of valuing and guiding give hope. Even a mere thank you note will be more motivating than a reward given out, as will a thank you note like that one, which can be said as simply as, thanks, thank you, it kept me later, that was the difference.

However, communication is not simply making nice words, it is also the control of our listening, responding and even stopping. Silence can be powerful, too. In some cases, tension can be relieved by simple permitting an individual to speak out.

What then can we do to enhance this competence within a team?

• We may begin by being mindful of ourselves, think before we talk.
• We may also remember that people have different perceptions of situations.
• And we can empathize and make it our reaction, even when we do not agree.

I would be interested in your views:

1. What to you is positive communication?
2. What do you do to deal with challenging conversations professionally, yet in a kind manner?
3. What have we as a group of people communicatively to work on?