4 Tips to Communication in Professional Settings

4 Communication Hints for Professional Situations

You notice a long pause… or someone fails to respond to an email you sent. Perhaps the person you’re speaking with gives you a strange look. The majority of people have encountered this at some point in a business meeting, interview, or email.

While you can’t always control how others react when you do business with them, there are some things you can do to avoid awkward situations.

Communication appears to be a simple concept, and we do it on a daily basis. The problem is that when dealing with people outside of our own circles, we can easily fall into traps. I’d like to share four pointers to help you avoid those pitfalls as much as possible.

Tip #1

When communicating in a business setting, avoid using slang and/or text speech.

I know, I know, the world is now ruled by Millennials, and that is how we communicate. The issue is that there are still many people who are resistant to new speech trends.

When speaking to a client, potential employer, or anyone else with whom you intend to work, it is critical to remember business etiquette. It is critical to be careful with your words, whether you are writing an email, talking on the phone, or meeting with someone one-on-one.

For example, which of these two options do you believe will elicit a more favorable response?

– Hey, man, we’re crushing these numbers. BTW, I believe we are great enough to double next month!

– Our sales have been steadily increasing this month. Indeed, if we maintain this momentum, we may be able to double our profits next month.

(I realize this is a poor example, but it illustrates the point.)

Just keep in mind that using too many slang terms or text speech in a business setting may turn off some people.

Tip #2

Being overly pretentious, on the other hand, will do you no favors.

Some people, in an attempt to sound more professional, will delve into the depths in search of largely antiquated words. While this is an excellent way to expand one’s vocabulary, it is rarely necessary in business settings. When trying to get your point across, common words work just as well, if not better.

The point of both of these suggestions is straightforward. Be as precise and authoritative as possible if you want someone to take you seriously. To ensure that your audience understands your meaning, write or speak clearly.

Tip #3

Listen! Check to see if you can hear what the other person is saying to you. This may seem obvious, but we are often preoccupied with what we will say next. This can make it difficult for us to communicate effectively.

Assume you have a product that you want to sell. You’ve got all these great ideas for how it can help the person in front of you. You have prepared talking points in your head, ready to spout off the importance of this product.

But suppose this person does not value those same things. They want to address a different issue, or they see a different benefit to your product.

If you don’t stop to listen to what the other person has to say, they won’t care what you have to say. Pay attention to what is important to them. If you extend that courtesy and address their expressed needs, they will be more open to hearing about the other fantastic benefits later. Make sure you pay attention to what they’re telling you is most important to them!

Tip #4

Be open to learning from others.

This is similar to the previous suggestion. You may be an expert in your chosen field, but wasting time trying to persuade others of this fact while refusing to accept feedback is detrimental to your ability to persuade them of anything.

Are they looking for someone who knows what they’re talking about?

Yes, most likely.

They also want someone who understands that they do not know everything.

Be open to receiving advice, and remember that there is always room to learn something new.