What are the best ways to demonstrate communication skills at work?

1 Understand your audience

One of the first steps to communicate well is to know who you are communicating with and what they expect from you. Different audiences may have different levels of technical knowledge, interests, and goals. For example, when you communicate with your peers, you can use more jargon and acronyms, but when you communicate with clients or managers, you may need to simplify and explain your terms. You should also consider the purpose, tone, and format of your communication, whether it is a report, a presentation, or an email.

2 Listen actively

Listening is not just hearing, but paying attention, showing interest, and asking questions. Active listening can help you understand the needs, concerns, and feedback of your audience, as well as build rapport and trust. When you listen actively, you should avoid distractions, interruptions, and assumptions. You should also paraphrase, summarize, and clarify what you hear to ensure you are on the same page. Listening actively can also help you avoid conflicts and misunderstandings, as well as identify opportunities and solutions.

3 Adapt your style

Communication is not a one-size-fits-all approach. You may need to adjust your style depending on the situation, the channel, and the personality of your audience. For example, when you communicate face-to-face, you should use body language, eye contact, and gestures to convey your message and emotions. When you communicate online, you should use clear, concise, and polite language to avoid confusion and ambiguity. You should also be aware of your own communication preferences and biases, and how they may affect your interactions with others.

4 Give and receive feedback

Feedback is an important part of communication that can help you improve your performance, learn from your mistakes, and recognize your achievements. However, feedback can also be challenging to give and receive, especially if it is negative or constructive. To give feedback effectively, you should be specific, timely, respectful, and supportive. You should also focus on the behavior, not the person, and provide suggestions for improvement. To receive feedback gracefully, you should be open-minded, appreciative, and curious. You should also ask for clarification, examples, and action steps.

5 Present with confidence

As a civil engineer, you may need to present your projects, proposals, or findings to various audiences, such as clients, managers, or colleagues. Presenting with confidence can help you persuade, inform, or inspire your audience, as well as showcase your skills and knowledge. To present with confidence, you should prepare well, practice often, and rehearse with feedback. You should also structure your presentation logically, use visual aids effectively, and engage your audience with questions and stories.

6 Collaborate with others

Communication is not only about transmitting information, but also about working together to achieve a common goal. Collaboration can help you leverage the strengths, perspectives, and experiences of others, as well as foster innovation and creativity. To collaborate with others, you should communicate clearly, respectfully, and constructively. You should also share your ideas, opinions, and feedback, as well as listen to and acknowledge those of others. Moreover, you should be flexible, cooperative, and supportive, and avoid blaming, criticizing, or dominating.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?