When communication at work is perceived to be unclear it is one of the top reasons for conflicts. That’s another form of stress that people feel and which boils over.

What happens in situations where there are misunderstandings caused by communication issues:

In most cases the person communicating believes to be delivering a clear message. On the receiving side it appears unclear or incomplete and is mostly met with a “but it would be so easy to improve it” kind of shrug.

Does anything change? Likely not. It feels as if the perception on both sides is rather different.

So which is it? The importance of clear communication lies in bridging these gaps, aligning perspectives, and ensuring that the intended message is accurately received and understood.

So what can you do to be more successful in communicating. According to Harvard University, these are 8 points to consider:

1. Be clear and concise

2. Prepare ahead of time

3. Be mindful of nonverbal communication

4. Watch your tone

5. Practice active listening

6. Build your emotional intelligence

7. Develop a workplace communication strategy

8. Create a positive organisational culture

If you don’t know how to listen, it’s hard to speak – as you won’t understand the effect of what you are saying. There are some simple ways to practice this also.

So what is the impact and the benefit of good communication at work: Not only can it mitigate conflict, but it will help you boost team morale (not to underestimate), help with overall wellbeing and it will help you create an atmosphere of trust with your team.

Let’s make it happen.