Everything You Need to Know About Communication Can Be Learned In Traffic

95% of our success in the workplace comes in the ability to understand why we think and act the way we do and then adjust for the behavioural and communication needs of others. It can be like negotiating traffic on a busy stretch of road.

Ineffective communication with others in our team adds to conflict and stress levels. This is caused by some key problems that I see in every workplace:

1. One way communication: Sending a message with the sole purpose of being heard instead of a mutual exchange.
2. Channel mismatch: Using email by default instead of balancing it with personal contact.
3. Confusing messages: Encoding our message based on our needs rather than the receiver's needs.
4. Too much noise: Distractions and competing deadlines.
5. Inability to manage emotions: Reacting inappropriately due to past triggers.

To bring people together as an effective team, we first need to engage their individuality and celebrate their differences. We must learn to give them what they need so in turn they can give us what we want.

5 essential keys to making this happen:

• Learn to be authentic
• Celebrate differences
• Complete the process
• Remove the noise
• Manage emotions

You can significantly reduce conflict and stress by developing your communication and relationship skills.