Effective Communication in the Workplace

If you know how to communicate effectively to co-workers, you're a winner at office. Here are some tips.

Put out a consistent message about your values. Knowing who you are, and what you stand for, can help your employees make better decisions on their own (or at least decisions that you will like better). If you're sending mixed messages, explain them or suffer the consequences.
Monte Enbysk

Women, don’t try to get men to talk if they’re not ready. Observe and listen rather than process out loud. Men, understand that processing is a way for women to include others and build relationships.
Simma Lieberman

Don't take another person's reaction or anger personally, even if they lash out at you in what seems a personal manner. Another person's mood or response is more likely about fear or frustration than it is about you as an individual. Take a deep breath and count to 10, and see it as a way of letting the other person vent before he is able to communicate what's really on his mind.
Sarah Fenson

1. Speak to people
2. Smile at people
3. Address people by name
4. Be warm, friendly and helpful
5. Be enthusiastic about life
6. Be genuinely interested in people
7. Look for the opportunity to give praise
8. Be considerate of other people’s feelings
9. Be thoughtful and respectful of other people’s opinions
10. Be a great listener
Richard Denny

Don’t mumble! It’s appalling how many IT people are “low talkers“. Fair or not, if people have trouble understanding you they’ll stop listening. Mumbling is usually a sign of lack of confidence - in a business setting it will often be taken as a lack of confidence in what you are saying, not a lack of confidence in speaking itself. You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room but make sure you don’t mumble.
Chris Pearson

Switch from being on automatic to being on purpose
Solicit feedback from others on your communication style and effectiveness.
Assess your own knowledge and training about communication.
Define organizational communication protocols.
Look at the structure of the organization and how it impacts all communication.
Use active listening.
Public Affairs Office

Ask Questions - If you hear something that confuses you, you should ask about it. Maybe you missed a detail or maybe you remembered something others forgot. In any case, it's important that everyone understand exactly what's going on. Chances are that if you're confused, then others are too.

Conversely, if a team member asks you a question, you should answer it courteously. The team member may be bringing up a crucial detail that could make or break the team's plans.
Penn State University

Is it clear?: Ask yourself each time you communicate, 'Is the message is clear?' Most confusion and frustration in the workplace is caused by failing to be specific. For example, you may tell a coworker that you need the report as soon as possible. In your mind that means that you will have it within two days. Your coworker might hear your statement as: "I can adjust the timeframe to fit my priority list." It would be better to state that you need the report by the end of the day on Friday.
Maureen Bauer