Mastering the Art of Workplace Communication: Science-Backed Tactics for Better Conversations
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In the ever-evolving post-pandemic work environment, it's crucial to sharpen our communication skills like never before. But it’s not uncommon to encounter situations where we don’t quite say what we mean, misinterpret each other's intentions, and end up stuck in long, vague, and confusing conversations that mean the meeting goes nowhere.
Luckily, there's a more effective approach to communicating with purpose. Be SSG: succinct, specific and generous.
1. Be succinct
"Our ability to process information is finite, and our working memory can hold only a few items at a time. When your sentences are bogged down with unnecessary verbiage, you increase the other person’s cognitive load, and your message becomes more difficult to grasp. To respect the limits of working memory, offer only essential information. It may seem counterintuitive, but using fewer words makes your ideas easier to understand."
2. Be specific
"Being specific means supplying relevant information and using concrete, unambiguous words to create a shared understanding so the other person’s mental image matches your own."
3. Be generous
"Being generous means framing your communication in a way that’s easy to understand so that listeners or readers don’t have to work so hard. Communication isn’t just about information; it’s also about empathy—thinking about the other person’s mind and being intentional about connecting new ideas to their existing understanding."
Example: Ensuring you take an extra moment to look over a report to ensure none of your manager’s pet peeves about writing are present.
Source:
Fast Company, "Stop wasting your breath and try these science-backed tactics to have better conversations at work" by Jay Dixit of the NeuroLeadership Institute.
