The Power of Effective Communication in the Workplace

Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful workplace. Whether you are a manager or an employee, your ability to communicate effectively can have a massive impact on your productivity, job satisfaction, and overall success. Texas native, Brené Brown, mentions in multiple writings the importance of accurately communicating your emotions, needs and expectations in the workplace.

Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston who has spent more than two decades studying human behavior and emotions. Her work has focused on topics like vulnerability, courage, and shame, and she has found that effective communication is key to creating a healthy work environment. Let us dive deeper into some of the key insights from Brown’s research and how they can be applied in the workplace.

Creating a Culture of Trust

In her book "Daring Greatly," Brown emphasizes the importance of communication in building trust and creating a culture of vulnerability and authenticity. She argues that effective communication needs both courage and vulnerability, as it requires individuals to be honest, open, and willing to take risks. One could argue that to take risks and be vulnerable, a culture of trust must be in place within the workplace. This starts with a leadership team that welcomes open conversations, can be self-critical and is not afraid to rumble.

Conflict and Communication

Brown uses the term “rumbling” to describe how to approach workplace disagreement. At Education Advanced, we refer to this as “storming,” but the concept is the same. Not only is conflict acceptable, but it is also encouraged as a healthy way to address issues head-on. She suggests that instead of avoiding conflict, we should embrace it and work to resolve it in a constructive manner.

Storming is a stage of the team development process where conflict and disagreement can arise as team members begin to assert themselves and their ideas. For storming to be effective it is important to understand how to manage it effectively.

To do this, Brown recommends using clear and direct communication. This means being honest about your feelings and needs, while also being respectful of others’ feelings and needs. By encouraging open communication, acknowledging differences, focusing on the problem, setting ground rules, and keeping the end goal in mind, teams can work through the storming stage and emerge stronger and more effective.

How We Receive Communication

Communication is about more than what we say. One of the most important insights from Brown’s research is that the way we receive communication can have a significant impact on how we interpret it. For example, if someone speaks to us in a harsh tone, we are more likely to feel defensive and respond negatively. Think of someone sending you an email in ALL CAPS. We may receive that as aggressive or yelling. On the other hand, if someone speaks to us in a warm, friendly tone, we are more likely to feel open and receptive.

To improve communication in the workplace, it is important to pay attention not only to what we say, but how we say it. An example that I remember my parents using to train educators on communication is taking the sentence "I didn't say you were stupid." Look at how emphasizing various parts of the word completely changes the meaning.

• "I didn't say you were stupid." (Emphasizing "I" implies that someone else said it.)
• "I didn't say you were stupid." (Emphasizing "you" implies that someone else is stupid.)
• "I didn't say you were stupid." (Emphasizing "stupid" implies that you said something else.)

This is where the difference between delivering communication and how it is received comes in. Even the most well-intentioned message can be misinterpreted or received poorly if it is not communicated effectively. According to Brown, when we receive information, we filter it through our own experiences and biases. This means that the message we receive may not be the same as the one the speaker intended to convey. Therefore, it is crucial to actively listen and clarify any misunderstandings to ensure that the message is received correctly.

Active Listening

Have you ever had a conversation where the other person was distracted or even worse, thinking about what they were going to say next instead of listening to you? An important part of effective communication is active listening. This means being fully present and engaged in the conversation, and not just waiting for your turn to speak. Active listening involves listening for both the content and the emotion behind the message, and responding in a way that demonstrates empathy and understanding.

Effective communication is a powerful tool in the workplace. It can help to build strong relationships, foster collaboration, and ultimately lead to better outcomes. However, it is important to remember that communication is not just about what is said, but also about how the message is delivered and received. By paying attention to how we receive communication, embracing conflict, and using active listening skills, we can create a more positive and productive work environment.