People are designed to communicate and voice their thoughts to others, but this does not always mean we are naturals when it comes to expressing ourselves.

Every day - in our work and private lives - we spend time conversing with others and dealing with conflicts that may arise. It's likely that we fall into habits early in life and stick to these same patterns of communicating throughout as we age. Despite nature giving us all the tools needed to get on with others and our ability to form patterns with the way we do this, we're not always going to say or do the correct thing at the right time. In a business setting, this could have a negative impact and lead to problems that may prove difficult to solve, especially if the people concerned do not have the experience needed to reduce conflicts.

Communicating in the workplace

Learning how to develop working relationships is so essential in the modern workplace that there are courses on how to communicate effectively and boost your skills. Managers find them particularly useful as they tend to deal with lots of situations where mediation and sensitivity towards others' situations are needed. The reason why there are courses and experts in this field, is that it isn't always an easy process and if communication modes are ingrained then it can be a challenge to adopt new techniques.

Taking a look in the mirror

Part of the reason it's difficult to become a natural communicator with a variety of people is that each person has their own way of getting on with others. Interpersonal skills are exactly that, personal, and at times there are clashes between workers. If you're keen on expanding your techniques, you may first be asked to examine your own style of communication and then consider adapting it to suit the way others act. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, you're more likely to be encouraged to respond to others on an individual basis.

What can help communication?

Knowing the methods people actually use to converse with others is essential when it comes to good technique in this subject. Experts often refer to and put emphasis on non-verbal communication, as well as the spoken kind. It's believed that we send more messages about our inner feelings based on what we don't say.

The way you stand, your eye contact and the gestures you make combine to form an impression, so even if you tell a colleague you're happy to let them go early, but do not acknowledge them via eye contact or with open body language, they are unlikely to feel comfortable with your response or believe you. As well as building up your knowledge of non-verbal communication and applying open body language, it's also a good idea to take a look at your listening and responding skills.

We are a combination of our opinions, assumptions and prejudices, which have the potential to cause conflict in the workplace. It's essential to develop non-judgmental listening techniques when it comes to dealing with problems between your staff, particularly if they are of a personal nature. By learning how to listen objectively and seek solutions, rather than finding blame, fellow employees will be able to work towards resolving their problems.

Related to this is the kind of attitude you adopt in your daily work-life. As mentioned, there tends to be little resolution of issues when the focus is on blaming others for their problems. Of course, if employees are endangering themselves or others, such as by breaking health and safety regulations, investigations need to go ahead in a professional manner.

However, on a day-to-day basis, it's conducive to develop a positive attitude when conversing with your colleagues. Noticing when they have completed tasks well and encouraging them may lead to them feeling more confident in their roles. This does not mean ignoring problems but highlighting when a job is being completed well rather than just pointing out the errors.