How Great Communication Skills Alleviate These 4 Stressful Workplace Situations

Having relevant expertise in your chosen field is obviously necessary for success, but there are certain workplace situations where employees won’t get by on technical skills alone. Occasionally, they must use soft skills to navigate potentially stressful scenarios. At the center of every single one of these situations is perhaps the most important soft skill of all — communication. Here are four scenarios that every employee goes through where having great communication skills make all the difference.

Constructive Criticism

Whether you’re in a management position or simply a team member at the office, feedback plays a role in many discussions about the direction of a project or someone’s contribution to one. As a manager, it’s your job to oversee developments and give constructive criticism to the team or individual employees when necessary. Understanding how to deliver this type of feedback is vital to ensure your employees react in the right way and that these interactions result in better productivity. As an employee, it’s important to understand the reason for these conversations — to make you better — and to adapt accordingly.

Negotiations

Negotiations are arguably the most stressful type of communication within the workplace because there’s often so much on the line. Employees who want to negotiate a raise must approach the topic the right way with their boss and effectively communicate the reasons it makes sense to have any chance of success. The same could be said for negotiations with potential business partners. Understanding how to get what you want, while also showing potential clients how working with you helps them, is a fine art.

Presentations

This term refers to numerous situations within the workplace, such as meetings, conferences, interviews, or any other speaking engagements. At one point or another, employees will have to describe the work they’re doing, how it impacts the company, and even contribute ideas to the overall direction of the company. You might have all the expertise in the world, but if you can’t communicate your thoughts in a clear and concise manner, you won’t be as effective as an employee.

Conflict Resolution

Everyone wants to get along with their coworkers and peacefully coexist, but that’s usually wishful thinking. Conflict inevitably arises in the workplace at times, so employees and managers must be able to handle it without turning the entire situation into a distraction. Compromise is often the best solution, but it takes an effective mediator and a willingness for self-reflection. Always be willing to look at things from a different perspective and evaluate the situation. You can only do that by listening, which is an essential, yet often overlooked, element of communication.

Communication might be the most important soft skill, but it’s difficult to master. It takes repetition and real-life practice. Fortunately, Bongo offers a platform to simulate these interactions and improve soft skills in a structured environment. Learn more about how Bongo can help your employees improve their soft skills by visiting our website.