Business Communication Acumen

How do you communicate coaching to an employee who does not accept negative feedback? What is the best way to challenge a senior leader's obsolete business approach while sharing an innovative and effective way to conduct business? What is the best way to resolve personality conflicts in the office? 

While various work situations can create a strain on your organizational freelance opportunities, it is important to leverage the value of effective business communication skills. A wise human resource manager once told me to remember the value of good communication skills. If there is a lingering issue, assess the situation and determine the best path to resolution. Then communicate and implement ways to solve the problem.

If there is another party involved, make an effort to have an honest and non-blaming dialogue with the other person with the goal of mutual resolution. This may sound like a mystical unicorn, but it does not hinder your professional effort to make an attempt to solve the problem at hand. Even if the issue is a simple personality conflict, consider using an unbiased mediator who can balance the conversation between you and the other person or persons. 

 

Moreover, ramp up your active listening skills by ensuring  you are fully engaged in the communication process. Try not to multitask when someone is communicating with you. Your ability to leverage solid business communications skills in the office are based on your ability to focus what you need to communicate. Here a few tips:

• Respect the other person's opinion
• Ask clarifying questions
• Answer clearly and concisely
• Listen 
• Provide sources to support your data
• Build consensus through small group coordination 
• Reduce the complexity of your message so it is readily understandable
• Develop a back up plan
• Avoid distractions
• Provide feedback
• Be willing to receive feedback (the good, the bad and something in between)

Recipe for Success at the Office

Remember the last time you received an assignment at work? Do you recall the instructions you received for creating the required outcome? Take a moment to reflect on what you tend to do- follow the instructions succinctly or vary the process to achieve the most optimal results.

Sometimes the route we take to complete tasks impact our ability to achieve success. For example, following the instructions without any deviation allows you to check the box that you did the "right thing." However, the opportunity to be creative, learn and grow your skills will be limited because you are only willing to do what is required, no more or no less.

Take a risk when working on your next assignment to see if you can obtain better results by varying the process. Also, learn to feel comfortable challenging the status quo regarding processes that no longer work.

Think of tasks at work like a cooking recipe. Ensure you have all of the ingredients, tools and information to make coordinated decisions, then be creative in completing the work.

Organizational Freelancer Reading List, Part 1

A wise person once said the way to achieve your goals is by leveraging your professional talents on diverse projects, training to enhance your skills, seek new educational opportunities as well as reading books.

In addition, displaying initiative, taking risks, exhibiting ethical behavior and passion for your work can help open doors to new career opportunities. Moreover, the characteristics of a well-rounded leader are rooted in your ability to effectively use emotional intelligence, people skills and a shared vision.

I am sharing a list of books used by the Organizational Freelancer over the years to help achieve goals and maintain motivation.

Organizational Freelancer Reading List 

• Leadership Communication by Deborah Barrett
• Difficult Conversations - How to discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton and Sheila Heen
• Ethical Intelligence - Five Simple Rules for Leading a Better Life by Dr. Bruce Weinstein
• First, Break the Rules - What the World's Greatest Managers do Differently by Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman
• Leading so People will Follow by Erika Andersen

Disclaimer: Materials and resources shared on the Organizational Freelancer Blog are for informational purposes only and do not serve as a promotion or endorsement of external materials.