Which of the following best explains why communication is necessary in the workplace?

Trends in today's workplace include an emphasis on teamwork, a reliance on new technologies, and

an increase in telecommuting by employees.

Which statement about communication skills in today's workplace is accurate?

Surveys of employers indicate that the ability to communicate effectively is critical to effective job placement, performance, career advancement, and organizational success.

Communication is defined as "the transmission of information and meaning from one individual or group to another." The crucial element of this definition is

The communication process begins when the sender

Which of the following statements is most accurate?

Most people are not very good listeners.

Chandra needs to participate in an important conference call and plans to use active listening skills. Chandra shuts down her computer, turns off her pager, and tells her assistant to hold all incoming calls for the next hour. What technique is she using to improve listening?

controlling her surroundings

Which is the most accurate statement about nonverbal behavior?

The eyes are often the best predictor of a speaker's true feelings.

Greg has been asked to lead his work group in a problem–solving discussion. Greg notices that Lisa rolls her eyes every time he says something. Greg should

b.

politely seek additional information by saying, I'm not sure that you really agree with my ideas. Do you have a suggestion to improve them?

The unique culture and heritage of each country helps its members understand how

Which of the following best describes high–context cultures?

a.

In high–context cultures, words are often not taken literally.

Some key dimensions of culture include context, individualism, formality, communication style, and

Brandon was overheard in the employee break room saying, "I am glad we finally hired an Asian guy. Asians are the only ones who really know anything about computers." Brandon's statement is an example of ________, which is not acceptable in a diverse work environment.

A culturally diverse workforce can benefit organizations and their employees if employees show tolerance for differences. One way to improve tolerance is by

You can improve your oral communication effectiveness with people who do not speak English as their first language if you

When writing for a multicultural audience, you are more likely to be understood if you use short sentences and short paragraphs and if you include

d.

action–specific verbs such as order this product rather than get this product.

Technology has made writing less important in today's workplace.

As an employee in today's competitive workplace, you can expect to have more managers than in the past.

The medium over which a message is transmitted is the communication channel.

Feedback includes only those verbal responses from the receiver.

Most people listen at 75 percent efficiency, which means they will remember only 75 percent of what they hear.

Travis is having difficulty listening to his professor's lecture because Travis is not feeling well. This is an example of a physical barrier to effective listening.

While your physical appearance delivers an important nonverbal message to others, the physical appearance of your documents delivers an important nonverbal message as well.

The United States is an example of a low–context culture.

The belief in the superiority of one's own culture is known as ethnocentrism.

The best way to manage a diverse workplace is to do everything possible to minimize or eliminate differences.

Good communication is an essential tool in achieving productivity and maintaining strong working relationships at all levels of an organisation – and this has been particularly important since the Covid-19 outbreak forced many people to work remotely.

Employers who invest time and energy into delivering clear lines of communication will rapidly build trust among employees, leading to increases in productivity, output and morale in general. Meanwhile, employees who communicate effectively with colleagues, managers and customers are always valuable assets to an organisation and it is a skill which can often set people apart from their competition when applying for jobs.

Poor communication in the workplace will inevitably lead to unmotivated staff that may begin to question their own confidence in their abilities and inevitably in the organisation.

Five key reasons you work on good communication:

Team building – Building effective teams is really all about how those team members communicate and collaborate together. By implementing effective strategies, such as those listed below, to boost communication you will go a long way toward building effective teams. This, in turn, will improve morale and employee satisfaction.

Gives everyone a voice – As mentioned above, employee satisfaction can rely a lot on their having a voice and being listened to, whether it be in regards to an idea they have had or about a complaint they need to make. Well established lines of communication should afford everyone, no matter their level, the ability to freely communicate with their peers, colleagues and superiors.

Innovation – Where employees are enabled to openly communicate ideas without fear of ridicule or retribution they are far more likely to bring their idea to the table. Innovation relies heavily on this and an organisation which encourages communication is far more likely to be an innovative one.

Growth – Communication can be viewed both internally and externally. By being joined up internally and having strong lines of communication you are ensuring that the message you are delivering externally is consistent. Any growth project relies on strong communication and on all stakeholders, whether internal or external, being on the same wavelength.

Strong management – When managers are strong communicators, they are better able to manage their teams. The delegation of tasks, conflict management, motivation and relationship building (all key responsibilities of any manager) are all much easier when you are a strong communicator. Strong communication is not just the ability to speak to people but to empower them to speak to each other – facilitating strong communication channels is key.

How can you improve how your organisation communicates?

With 40 years of recruitment experience, we understand the value of good communication. Below, we’ve outlined some of the key areas where organisations can improve and enhance communication between their teams.

• Define goals and expectations – Managers need to deliver clear, achievable goals to both teams and individuals, outlining exactly what is required on any given project, and ensuring that all staff are aware of the objectives of the project, the department and the organisation as a whole.
• Clearly deliver your message – Ensure your message is clear and accessible to your intended audience. To do this it is essential that you speak plainly and politely – getting your message across clearly without causing confusion or offence.
• Choose your medium carefully – Once you’ve created your message you need to ensure it’s delivered in the best possible format. While face-to-face communication is by far the best way to build trust with employees, it is not always an option. Take time to decide whether information delivered in a printed copy would work better than an email or if a general memo will suffice.
• Keep everyone involved – Ensure that lines of communication are kept open at all times. Actively seek and encourage progress reports and project updates. This is particularly important when dealing with remote staff.
• Listen and show empathy – Communication is a two-way process and no company or individual will survive long if it doesn’t listen and encourage dialogue with the other party. Listening shows respect and allows you to learn about any outstanding issues you may need to address as an employer.

Another good communication method is using the DiSC model when constructing your feedback to other co-workers or employees. 

What's next?

For more reports, eBooks, tips on hiring, and managing teams, please visit our management advice section. Alternativelt get in touch with our team of dedicated consultants today to discuss hiring in your sector. 

Why is communication important in the workplace?

What are the 3 things that we need to consider in communicating in the workplace?