Blog

3 Foolproof Fixes for Workplace Miscommunication

| Mary Shores

 

Stress kills. Period.

People are more stressed than ever, and it takes a huge toll. So how do we take a stand against stress? How do we cultivate more self-care and healthier environments?

A huge part of it comes down to your work environment. Let’s be honest, when was the last time you WEREN’T stressed at work? I know work is often a huge source of stress for people, so let’s tackle one big cause of stress at work right now.

The truth is, a ton of workplace stress can be reduced or eliminated by improving your communication. And yeah, this works for both bosses and employees.

Huge sources of stress often include: freaking out about deadlines that we don’t think we can meet and not being sure how to get help, not knowing how to actually start a project due to lack of instructions or resources, feeling overwhelmed by your amount of work but not knowing how to let your team members know.

We’ve all been there. And in my 20 years of business, I actually discovered a few foolproof ways to fix these problems. Let’s dive into my top 3 workplace communication corrections:

  1. Use Work Instructions

If you have work instructions, then you have a system to follow and a flow to use. You and your team can feel confident that they’re making the right choices because the steps are all laid out.

  1. Ask Direct Questions

Ask yourself (and your team) how can I be successful at this project? What systems or resources do I need to get this job done? What are the deadlines to get this completed?

  1. Share Your Doubts (& ASK FOR HELP)

If you know this task is unrealistic for you, share your concerns. Let them know that you think another department would be more equipped to handle it. Or if you have a deadline you know you’ll miss, communicate that as early as possible and see if someone can help you out.

By the way, I know these are hard. Asking for a change in your biz’s process or asking for help takes a ton of courage. Here’s what you need to remember about asking questions: you are not going to look bad.

Any time you ask for assistance, that’s an opportunity for you to grow. You’re showing dedication to get the job done right, and initiative to learn. You’re improving relationships with team members by communicating well and balancing everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.

Want a made-for-you strategy to improve business at your company? Visit maryshores.com.

Communication Code
Back to Blog