Are you tired of struggling to communicate effectively with your colleagues or clients?
Are you looking for practical tips and strategies to improve your communication skills and build stronger relationships?
As HR folk we are right on the front line when it comes to communicating, often managing relationships both up and down the hierarchy. It can get overwhelming at times; I know I certainly feel it when there’s a lot of plates spinning!
So, today I wanted to share with you some valuable insights and techniques to help you become a more effective communicator. I’ll be covering everything from active listening to nonverbal cues. So, grab a cup of coffee and settle in – here’s my step-by-step guide on how to develop effective communication as an HR assistant:
Step 1: Understand the Importance of Communication
The first step to developing effective communication skills is to understand why it is important. For me, effective communication is the key to building positive relationships, resolving conflicts, and achieving goals in the workplace.
Step 2: Identify Your Communication Style
Next, you should identify your communication style. Ask yourself things like Are you a good listener? Do you tend to speak your mind without thinking first? Understanding your communication style will help you to identify areas for improvement which will support you to develop useful strategies to allow you to communicate more effectively.
Step 3: Practice Active Listening
Active listening is a critical skill for HR. When someone is speaking, be sure to give them your full attention. Ask questions to clarify your understanding and show that you are engaged in the conversation.
Step 4: Be Clear and Concise
When communicating with others, it is important to be clear and concise especially in HR, there is no room (or time!) for fluffiness. Try to use simple language and avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be understood by your audience. I find it useful to be direct and to the point, this can take time to get right TOP TIP: Have someone sense check your comms before you send it. Another consideration to have, is to be mindful of the tone of your communication, remember the interpretation is on the reader.
Step 5: Choose the Right Communication Method
In today’s digital world there are many different communication methods available, including email, apps, social media, phone calls, and in-person meetings. Be mindful of the communication and choose the method that is most appropriate for the situation and the person you are communicating with. For example, sensitive or complex issues may be better addressed in person rather than via email.
Step 6: Practice Empathy
By practicing empathy, you can build stronger relationships with colleagues and better understand their needs and concerns. Try to put yourself in their shoes and see things from their perspective, something us HR folk are asked to do most days.
Step 7: Seek Feedback
Finally, seek feedback from others on your communication skills. Ask for feedback on specific areas where you want to improve, I’m a true believer that if the question makes you feel awkward or feels confronting then this is the one to ask! Growth never happens in your comfort zone. TOP TIP: Always take the feedback on board. You’ll want to use this feedback to develop and refine your communication skills, even if you don’t agree with the feedback there is always something to take from it.
I’m sure there is nothing new here in this list, however, I also know that when we fall into the swing of the daily routine, we often overstep the basics. Coming back to basics and follow these simple steps for me always brings some new growth, learning or development and you too can develop effective communication skills as an HR assistant and build stronger relationships with colleagues in the workplace.
Communication is one of the most important skills we can develop, and continue to develop, and that’s why I built a whole section on Effective Communication on the MyPeopleClub platform. There you’ll find things such as guides to communicating, effective communication, communication checklists and email checklists too. You can find out more about MyPeopleClub here
