Effective Communication – Part II
Ten Tips to Making Yourself Better Understood in the Work Place
(Part II)
Many entry-level to mid-level accountants struggle in the workplace, not because they lack accounting expertise, but because they lack communication skills. Previously we explored 5 ways to achieve effective communication:
- Listen
- Determine your audience
- Identify your purpose
- Determine your method of presentation
- Use plain language
This week we will continue by exploring 5 more ways accountants can become better communicators.
6. Confirm Understanding
While you may feel your message was eloquent, concise, and focused, if your audience didn’t understand it, than your attempt to communicate failed. To avoid this last hurdle you must confirm understanding or negotiate a more appropriate approach. Consider using the following questions to confirm understanding (X represents message/purpose):
- I’m afraid I didn’t communicate clearly. What did you understand X to be?
- What does X look like to you?
- Do you have any questions about X?
If you ask the right questions you’ll be able to clarify where necessary and expound on ideas that may have needed more development. Often a message doesn’t require more than a follow-up email in order to verify receipt or confirm understanding.
7. Invite Feedback
Generally you can invite feedback while confirming understanding. Sometimes your audience understands the purpose, but feels it needs altering or clarification in order to be successful. In asking the right questions you communicate a genuine desire to get thoughtful feedback. Questions might include:
- Do you think X will work? Why or why not?
- What concerns do you have regarding X?
- What elements of X do you think would work well?
- How could we modify X so that it also facilitates your objectives?
8. Display Commitment
If you’re motivated by personal advancement alone, that attitude will ooze from you, repelling most of your colleagues. But if you display commitment to the organization, you win the trust of your coworkers and supervisors. This makes for a much more willing audience, regardless of your message.
9. “Do unto Others…”
The Golden Rule is also a good tip in communicating effectively. Ask yourself, would you be willing to sit through a coworker’s message if that coworker didn’t afford you the same courtesy? Give colleagues your undivided attention as they share their messages with you. This characterizes you as a team player who is willing to advance any initiative that will improve the business, even if the initiative isn’t your own.
10. Seek Improvement Opportunities
If your presentation skills need improvement, find a conference or workshop that teaches presentation skills. If you’re a little self-conscious about your writing abilities, take a class that teaches basic business writing. By all means look for opportunities to continue your education. Acknowledging your weaknesses only places you in a better position to turn them into strengths.
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